A/HRC/34/48 childhood leukaemia and other cancers, autism and respiratory illnesses. 28 For example, neurotoxic pesticides can cross the placental barrier and affect the developing nervous system of the fetus, while other toxic chemicals can adversely impact its undeveloped immune system.29 26. Pesticides can also pass through breast milk. This is particularly worrying, as breast milk is the only source of food for many babies and their metabolism is not well developed to fight against hazardous chemicals. Pesticides are also found in baby formula, or in the water with which it is mixed.30 Consumers 27. Pesticide residues are commonly found in both plant and animal food sources, resulting in significant exposure risks for consumers. Studies indicate that foods often contain multiple residues, thereby resulting in the consumption of a “cocktail” of pesticides. Although the harmful effects of pesticide mixtures are still not fully understood, it is known that in some cases, synergistic interactions can occur that lead to higher toxicity levels. High cumulative exposure of consumers to pesticides is particularly worrying, especially with lipophilic pesticides, which bind with fats and bioaccumulate in the body. 31 28. Traces may remain on fruits and vegetables that are extensively treated with pesticides before they reach the consumer. The highest levels of pesticides are often found in legumes, leafy greens and fruits such as apples, strawberries and grapes. While washing and cooking produce reduces residue levels, food preparation can sometimes increase these levels.32 Also, many pesticides used today are systemic — taken up through the roots and distributed throughout the plant — and therefore washing will have no effect. 29. Pesticides may also bioaccumulate in farmed animals through contaminated feed. Insecticides are often used in poultry and eggs, while milk and other dairy products may contain a range of substances through bioaccumulation and storage in the fatty tissues of the animals. This is of particular concern as cow’s milk is often a staple component of human diets, especially for children. 30. Certain pesticides, such as organotins, accumulate and magnify through marine food web systems. As a result, people who depend on or consume greater amounts of seafood tend to have particularly high concentrations in their blood, causing significant health risks.33 31. Pesticides also present a serious threat to drinking water, particularly in agricultural areas, which often depend on groundwater. While it can take several decades before pesticides applied in fields appear in water wells, high levels of herbicides in agricultural areas have already caused health problems for some communities. 34 For example, in the 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 8 Council on Environmental Health, “Policy statement: pesticide exposure in children”, Pediatrics, vol. 130, No. 6 (December 2012). Köhler, “Wildlife ecotoxicology of pesticides”, p. 19. International Baby Food Action Network and Geneva Infant Feeding Association, response to the questionnaire on pesticides and the right to food, p. 4. Köhler, “Wildlife ecotoxicology of pesticides”, p. 10. B.M. Keikotlhaile, P. Spanoghe and W. Steurbaut, “Effects of food processing on pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables: a meta-analysis approach”, Food and Chemical Toxicology, vol. 48, No. 1 (January 2010). Köhler, “Wildlife ecotoxicology of pesticides”, p. 11. Aviva Glaser, “Threatened waters: turning the tide on pesticide contamination”, Beyond Pesticides (February 2006), available from http://www.beyondpesticides.org/assets/media/ documents/documents/water.pdf.