A wrongful death lawsuit filed in United States District Court, Southern District of Illinois on July 19 claims that a Louisiana man developed Parkinson’s disease and died from the disease as a result of his exposure to paraquat. The lawsuit was filed against Syngenta. The lawsuit is now one of around 1,300 lawsuits that have …
Hazardous Exposure
The Dust Bowl and Effects on Farming in the 1930s
In the 1930s, the United States faced a decade of financial hardship. Across the country, individuals and families suffered from lost income, hunger, and even homelessness. No place felt the devastation of the times more than the people whose lives were directly impacted by the ecological disaster known as the Dust Bowl. As one of …
Agricultural Sciences and the Origins of Farming
Agriculture took root 12,000 years ago and changed how people lived and society in general. Before agriculture, humans were traditionally hunter-gatherers. By introducing farming to their daily lives, human populations were able to increase their food supply. Civilizations and cities grew along with the population. Agriculture changed the way people were able to survive in …
Gardening for Pollinators
What Are Pollinators? Pollinators are animals that carry pollen from flower to flower, which enables the plant to produce fruits and seeds. The most common pollinators are insects such as bees, butterflies, wasps, ants, and beetles. However, birds, bats, and moths do also pollinate. Who Are the Pollinators? The Value of Birds and Bees Native …
Living With Parkinson’s Disease: Diet and Exercise
Parkinson’s disease can be a devastating diagnosis that causes significant uncertainty and fear. Many people living with this degenerative disorder, however, can live a full life before the onset of more debilitating symptoms. Although there currently is no cure, there are ways to reduce the symptoms and potentially slow the disease’s progression. While medication is …
Guide to Gardening Without Pesticides
Gardeners have often been willing to try using anything that will help their plants grow. Unfortunately, some tools that people once thought were safe turn out to have harmful effects. Gardening with chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers can result in serious health issues for people and animals, and these chemicals can also hurt the environment. …
Glossary of Agricultural and Farming Terms
Agriculture is one of the oldest industries in recorded history. Civilizations as we know them didn’t coalesce until humans discovered how to plant crops and irrigate land to ensure a bountiful harvest and sufficient food stores for lean winter months. As farming techniques improved, people congregated in areas with fertile soil and sufficient irrigation, creating …
Insurance And Real Estate Industries Preventing Lead Paint Victims From Obtaining Justice
The United States insurance and real estate industries are doing everything they can to avoid paying victims of lead paint poisoning the financial compensation they deserve for their injuries. Insurance companies are avoiding liability for lead paint poisoning by putting lead paint exclusions in their policies, and real estate owners are creating webs of limited …
Study Links COVID-19 Cases, Deaths To Wildfire Smoke
17 to 18 percent of COVID-19 cases in Butte County, CA and Whitman County, WA, from March 15, 2020 to December 16, 2020, were associated with wildfire smoke, according to a recent study. Harvard University researchers estimated that exposure to particulate matter in smoke which measures 2.5 micrometers across – PM2.5 – may have led …
AFFF Firefighting Foam Banned In Illinois, Connecticut
Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), a type of firefighting foam which contains chemicals linked to cancer, has been banned in Illinois and Connecticut. The PFAS Reduction Act was passed unanimously by Illinois’ legislature on August 6, 2021, and Connecticut’s Public Act 21-191 takes effect on October 1, 2021. PFAS, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), have been …