Did you know that New Zealand children have higher levels of the insecticide chlorpyrifos in their blood than some other
countries, such as the USA and Spain? Public health researcher Alison White will look at a study published this year at
an online talk and what we can do about it. A parliamentary petition will be launched urging the urgent reassessment and
ban of the controversial insecticide known to damage children’s brains and their neurodevelopment.
“Chlorpyrifos is now banned in at least 39 different countries, including the EU, UK and Canada,“ commented Ms White,
who is Co-convenor of the Safe Food Campaign. “Children are particularly at risk from exposure to even minute amounts of
chlorpyrifos, such as residues in food,” she said. “The unborn infant is even more vulnerable: exposure to even very low
levels at the foetal stage can result in structural changes in the developing brain and losses in cognitive function,
particularly IQ and working memory.”
Online talks will also be given on gene editing by Claire Bleakley and fluoridation in NZ by Mary Byrne.
People can link to the zoom event for Saturday 3 September 2.30pm-4pm on the Safe Food Campaign Facebook page, or email alison@safefood.org.nz for more details.