Research Prospectus

For every acre of land planted in the United States, six pounds of harmful pesticides are sprayed in order to control, destroy, and repel pests and other organisms from harming crops. This brings the final number to 1.3 million tons of pesticides being used each year in several types of farming to “protect” human health my stopping the contamination of harmful microbes. The belief that pesticides could be used to control pest’s dates back to 2500 B.C, but it wasn’t until the past fifty years that their use has widely spread. Much of the produce bought by consumers in the U.S each day is doused in some form of pesticide while being grown on US soil. Many believe it is the imported produce from other countries that cause health problems for consumers. However, eleven out of twelve of the highest contaminated foods are US grown including sweet bell peppers, celery, kales, lettuce, carrots, peaches, apples, strawberries and cherries have been linked to causing infertility, cancer, learning disorders, neurological problems, and poisoning in many consumers who ingested the pesticides used with these products. Fetus’s and young children are most at risk for the harmful side effects caused from consumption of pesticides. However, consumption is not the only problem. Pesticides have also been linked to contaminated water in many rural areas after they have dissolved into those areas ground water. Since 50% of all Americans obtain drinking water from ground water sources, and 95% of the population living in farming communities use ground water for drinking water, this poses a serious issue. As important as keeping harmful microbes under control may seem, there are alternatives that can be used, as well as special types of farming that are already being utilized that pose no risk to human health. Organic eating is one of those alternatives and can be said to be better for your health. “Safe Soil” and no modifications made to the produce while being grown can vastly help save those who consume them to reek the benefits of a pesticide free lifestyle. Many consumers do not realize why pesticides are in use, how they are used, what exactly they are, and what types of food are being contaminated on a daily basis. The side effects and health concerns these pesticides and the contaminated ground water have been seen to go unnoticed, but have recently been linked more and more too serious health issues. In the paper, many of these issues will be disused in further detail as well as provide safe alternatives and listing of commonly contaminated foods in order to allow consumers to see where pesticides may be coming into their live and how they can protect themselves from developing health problems in the future. Also, Laws that have been passed in order to try and protect consumer’s health will also be recognized and discussed in greater detail. Pesticides are a commonly used substance that affects almost every individual, but is not a commonly recognized health concern, due to lack of information about them being presented to the public, but it needs to be addressed.

Bibliography

"Pesticides." Sustainable Table. Sustainable Table, Sept. 2009. Web. 25 Jan. 2010.
http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/pesticides/.

"PESTICIDES ON FRUITS AND VEGETABLES." Consumer Health. CHOC, 2009.

Web. 25 Jan. 2010. .

Peterson, T.I. "Pesticide Residues in Drinking Water." Pesticide Residuesin Drinking Water. T.I

Peterson, June 1997. Web. 25 Jan. 2010. http://extoxnet.orst.edu/faqs/safedrink/pest.htm.

"Shoppers guide to pesticides." Shoppers guide to pesticides. Environmental Working Group, 2010. Web. 25 Jan. 2010. http://www.foodnews.org/.

"The use of Pesticides in Farming." Health & Safety Executive. Health & Safety Executive, 2009. Web. 24 Jan. 2010. .

"A Forest Returns"

I found the movie that we viewed in class, A Forest Returns, to be very informative and also intreging. I had no previous knowledge of anything involving the Wayne National Forest, and to be honest, probably never would if I hadn't watched this movie. The narrator of the movie had a passion for this issue that held your attention and his first hand account made it memorable. The fact that he had seen the forest in it's various stages and had pictures from each stage made it that much more interesting. I found it shocking that the Forest had once been clear cut for farm land and that the government had bought the land back from those farmers to return it to its natural state of forest. I found it very interesting that people were getting paid to not maintain their land and to let mother nature take over. I also found it interesting that when they were clear cutting the land, they would stack the wood into large piles and burn it and use the charcoal remains in the industrial industry. The fact that the government also employed many men during this time to help replant the trees in order to provide them with jobs during the great depression was very touching. Now that I have seen this movie, and have learned about the forests history, I would like to go visit the Wayne and see what it looks like now. I have driven though the Wayne to get here to school, but never really took the time to truly look at it.

Further Research

After continuing my research, on my topic of pesticides used in farming and how they effect the health of those who eat produce, or drink the water around these chemically using farms, I have found many interesting facts that have led me to narrow down my research mostly on the health problems caused by those who eat contaminated vegetables and fruits, and what the most commonly contaminated produce is. Although livestock farming that uses pesticides is also a major issues in this type of farming, I don't wish to include it in my research. Also, I found many health concerns related to the pesticides used, and that many of the chemicals used to treat the crops in farming are not even tested tested before use, or are used even when they have been scientifically proven to be linked to disease such as cancer. I have also looked into alternatives to pesticides, (not to be confused with fertilizers), and want to include that in my paper as well. I also intend to look more into organic produce and organic farming as well as farmers markets and see if there is a significant difference in the health of those who choose to eat organic produce verses those who eat produce from pesticide using farms. I have not yet looked into the effects of the ground water in these farming communities being contaminated and its health effects, however, it was included on some of the sites I have read so I intend to include that. Many of the health issues I looked at related to diseases starting at a young age or during fetal development. Also, I have found charts, graphs, and statistics that had alarming numbers that I want to ensure I include in my paper.

Forest Presentation

After listening to David Maywhoor's presentation about forest issues, I felt very much informed on problems with deforestion, logging, and burning of forests. Before, I never really even thought about these issues or realized how many acres of forest are destroyed each year in order to make products for consumer use. Also, I found it very interesting that Forty percent of the trees cut down are used for mulch. That just seemed very odd to me and a strange thing to be using that many trees for. Also, I never knew that they destroy maple trees because they are not as widely sought after as oak. I found David to be very well informed on all the issues regaurding forests and thought that he presented the infromation in a very easy to understand manner. I also liked that he involved us in his presentation by relating these issues back to our majors. I think that we as consumers do need to cut back or limit the amount of paper products we use and try to do a better job of protecting our forests and wildlife living in these areas.

Research Topic

After looking over several different environmental issues and branching off on several different areas, I narrowed my choice down to toxins, specifically pesticides from farming. More specifically, I want to look at the effects that pesticides used in farming have on consumers health who eat the produce that is treated with the pesticides verses those that are organic or grown without any added pesticides or chemicals. By choosing this topic, it will allow me to research the various chemicals used, the application of these pesticides, any known issues that have risin due to this type of preservation. Since most fruits and vegetables that are purchased in grocery stores are treated with some sort of chemical in order to extend their shelf life, I feel that this is a topic that many can relate to and that many are personally effect by. I eating a diet of mostly fruits and vegetables want to see if the pesticides that these types of produce are treated with, will have an effect on my health in the long run. Also, when researching this topic, I will also see if eating organically is truly better for your health. Besides just food, I will also be looking at the effects that the chemicals used in farming have on the water systems around those areas.

Part 3 of Lost Mountain

Wendell Berry describes two different types of mind sets. That of a rational mind and that of a sympathetic mind. When comparing the two, you see that they are very different in the way one thinks. A rational mind, tends to think with logic and facts, basing all decisions on statistics and factual bases. It is in a sense, a mathematical way of looking at things. On the other spectrum, a sympathetic mind makes decisions based on emotion and ethics. It uses some logic to make decisions, however, it takes into consideration the after-effects of decisions made and how they may effect others and their emotions. In the book, Reece was using a sympathetic mind in part three by discussing the emotional cues that he includes in these last few chapters. When reading the chapter on RFK (visiting appalachia), you can see that emotion and ethics played a huge role in the role play. RFK was very concerned with the health and finical incomes of those living in the area as well as living conditions. The effects of coal mining on the town was looked upon and what the damage in the future could be. Also, when Reece was filing the complaints at the Federal Office of Surface mining, he was concerned with the rights that the citizens of the area surrounding the coal mining sites had. He made sure he addressed the fact that the water contamination in these areas was causing damage to the health of the citizens and that the coal mining industry had an obligation in ensure the safety of those citizens. This shows that since Reece was mainly concerned with the ethics and emotions involved with those effected by coal mining, that he used a sympathetic mind set.
On page 242, in the first paragraph, Frank Lloyd Write stated, "The actual difference between ' individualism' and individuality of a true democracy lies in the difference between selfishness and noble self hood." (pg. 242) To me, this quote is basically saying that those who seek out to do right, regardless of their own self needs, truly make a difference in the world. Relating back to the book, Reece can be the perfect individual to base this quote on. Reece worked to fight against coal mining by bringing the topic out into the public. Not only be going to the Federal Office of Surface Mining and trying to change the way in which they stripe the mountains, but also by writing and publishing this book. This is an issue that many don't realize is happening, I myself was one of them. The coal industry is basing all of its decisions in a rational mindset, setting out for profit, and not caring about who it is hurting in the process. It's own selfish mindset is causing large environmental problems, but they ignore the side effects and continue on. If more people are made knowledgeable on this issue, and help to bring about change, then future environmental problems could be solved. But it will take those special individuals, like Reece, to do so.

Lost Mountain (pg 85-162)

After finishing the assigned chapters, I found many paragraphs that stuck out in my mind. However, one in particular really grabbed my attention. It was the use of data and statistics used by Reece that captured my eye. On page 111, Reece explains the problem that strip mining is causing on the streams and waterways. He describes lost creek and how damage from blasting has caused the release of sulfuric acid into the water contaminating it and causing much harm to aquatic life. Reece describes how after acid mine drainage and acid rain, the only trout that is able to survive in the water is that of the brook trout, and even that species is becoming endangered. Reece then goes on to talk about Falling Rock Watershed. This watershed feeds into some of the cleanest streams in Kentucky. He uses factual data such as the amount of dissolved solids in the watershed as being typically between 50 and 60, and its chlorides, sulfates, magnesium, and sodium levels as being about one milligram per liter. Its what Reece then says that captured my attention. Only a half a mile away from Falling Rock, is the confluence of Buckhorn Creek. Buckhorn lies directly below a strip mine. Compared to the data provided from Falling Rock, Buckhorns numbers are drastically different. Where Falling Rock had a dissolved solids of 50 to 60, Buckhorn's is close to 1,000, and their levels of magnesium and calcium is close to 25. However, the most shocking to me was the amount of species in Buckhorn Creek. Compared to Falling Rock who has hundreds of species living within its waters, Buckhorn Creek can only support about about ten species. This truly demonstrates the effects that strip mining has on waterways and wildlife. If the amount of acid mine drainage has this much effect on wildlife, one can only imagine the effects it is having on the people living around these waterways and those that rely on this water was a source of drinking water. Later in the following chapters, Reece provides some personal stories from those living around the waters affect by strip mines, and you can see the negative effect it is having. One women even says that she hesitates to give her child a bath in the water and has to ensure that no water makes its way into her child's mouth when bathing because she is afraid of what it might do in the long run. In my opinion, no one should have to worry about bathing their children or their water being harmful to their health especially in the case of preventable contamination (such as strip mining).

CC Technology

After reviewing the information regarding the issue of clean coal (cc) technology, I have found that the anti-cc technology site (This is Reality) greatly differs from that of the pro- cc technology (American Power) on their approaches to persuade their audiences on this issue. My initial impression of the This is Reality site was that it was very easy to navigate though the different sections within the website as well as was provided links to their humorous video commercials directly on the right hand side of the site. The website itself was very plain and dark in color with bold yellow writing to capture your attention fast. The American Power website however was more professional looking in general with more information and video clips individuals discussing the coal situation in a more serious manor which may be directed towards an older audience and towards electric companies. Looking at first impressions alone, the This is Reality website grabs your attention more than that of the American Power solely because they present their information in a more visual appealing way, as well as provide animation right from the start to grab your attention and may also be used to get the attention of a younger audience. With reguards to the infomation provided (about cc-technology) from each site, you see that the issue is whether or not clean coal will truly provide the most effective way to provide electricity or if the harmfulness of it's emissions will do more harm than good. The Reality website argues that coal is the leading source for global warming as well as the dirtiest way to produce electric when other cleaner resources are available )such as windmills).Their goal is to stop using coal and to switch over to more environmentally friendly approaches. The opposite stance on this provided by the American Power argues that after data collected from each state was reviewed, that many states have begun to use cc technology and have seen a 77% increase in cleaner coal. Their future goal is to continue to advance and develop cc technology and to produce a coal that has near zero emissions. The Reality website is sponsored by several different environmental agencies that argue against the pollution of the environment and seek to stop global warming (hence the anti-cc technology approach) where as the American Power site is sponsored by American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity who is involved with electric companies. When looking at the site for credibility, I believe American Power looks to be more of a credible site based on the amount of data and tables collected. The way each site presented their information was soley based on their attempts to persuade their audiences. The Reality website was trying to present the information in a less serious manor, but at the same time, was able to get their point across and still provide the audience with facts and figures that supported their arguments. The American Power website used facts and figures as well as interactive maps regarding each states usage of coal for power in order to get their point across and to make it more relateable to the audience. After looking over both sites, regardless of my standpoint of the issue, I have found that the American Power website was more successful in presenting their argument and stance based on the amount of facts and figures they provided. They seemed to have more actual data collected on the issue and provided current news on the issue and facts from each state. Also, their more serious demeanor seemed to make the issue more serious and prevalent.

Lost Mountain (pg1-85)

In the book Lost Mountain, Eric Reece, provides a first hand perspective of the devastation of mountian tops in the process of strip mining to collect coal used for various sources of energy. In particular, Reece examines the effects that this process has on "Lost Mountain," a mountain located in the forests of Appalachia. After watching the process that the minors go though to strip the top of the mountain, Reece (who had previously worked in the coal industry in a power plant with his father), describes the devestating decrease in the amount of wildlife, trees, and overall health of those living around the mountain. In a particular story told by Reece, he describes how miners once took a famous warber, the canary, into the mines in cages because the birds were highly sensitive to odorless methane gas (secreted by coal). If there began to be too much methane in the underground mine shaft, the canary would stop singing, warning the miner's that they may be in immediate danger. Reece then relates this story into Lost Mountain. The bird native to the mountain, is that of a Cerulean Warbler. He says that the number of birds are drastically decreasing due to the deforestion of trees in their habitit and that these once vocal birds are no longer siging, signifiying the amount of methane that is being leaked into the mountain air. This leads into another one of Reece's arguments for the stop of mountain top removal which is the effect it is having on those citizens living around the mountains. With the amount of pollution (methane) being produced in the process of harvesting the coal, the amount of cancer and deaths (related to cancer and injuries caused by coal mining) has increased dramatically.He provides one example of a women names Teri Blanton, who's two children were constantly sick (measle like rashes) caused by the groundwater around their home being polluted with "volatile organic chemicals" caused by the coal company's coal wastes. Not only is this process causing many animals to loose their homes or lives, but it is also doing the same thing to the people in the local areas. Houses around the mountain are being destroyed by landslides caused by loose rock that was broken up to clear the top of the mountain. But every issue has two sides. Reece provides arguments for those pro-strip mining that don't necessarily agree with Reeces viewpoints. Those in favor of the mining say that in order to produce the cheapest form of energy (coal), then strip minging must continue stating that coal is the cheapest energy source by far. Besides being a money saver, the clearing of the land also provides opportunity for growth in the forms of retail and development. Developers can now place stores and other profit making entities in places that were once stricly forests. So, you see, money is the key argument of those supporting the strip mining. After reading these chapter's on the devastation of Appalachia, I can relate personally to something similar. Living out by farmlands and wild life preserves, I too see many natural lands being destroyed to make room for more housing developments and retail spaces. Many of our local wildlife has now become scarce or non-existant which is ashame to see when this was once someplace where people came and visited nature. Seeing some deforstation first hand, I agree with Reece on his stance of protecting the mountain tops and stoping the strip mining from occuring, because once the trees, animals, and natural habitats are gone, they never come back and are never truely the same.

Intro

I'm Holly Ruwe and am in my third year as a Health Services Administration Major with a minor in Business and Enviornmental Health. After I complete my degree, I plan on doing an accelerated nursing program or going to grad school for nutrition sciences. I am originally from Hilliard, Ohio, which is west of Columbus. I enjoy working out, hanging out with my friends, and traveling. I also am a host at Ruby Tuesday here in Athens. I love OU and look forward to a great quarter.