Tag: centers for disease control

Chronic Wasting Disease Found in New York

  • Chronic wasting disease is affecting many captive deer, and has now been found in New York. Some question whether the disease has spread to wild deer. (Photo by Dr. Beth Williams, University of Wyoming, courtesy of CWD Alliance)

Chronic Wasting Disease has now been found in New York
and officials there are killing and testing hundreds of wild deer. They’re trying to keep the fatal brain disease from spreading to other animals. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s David Sommerstein reports:

Transcript

Chronic Wasting Disease has now been found in New York and officials there
are killing and testing hundreds of wild deer. They’re trying to keep the
fatal brain disease from spreading to other animals. The Great Lakes Radio
Consortium’s David Sommerstein reports:


Five captive deer in central New York tested positive for chronic wasting
disease earlier this month. It was the first time the neurological sickness
appeared in the Northeast.


Officials’ biggest concern is whether the ailment has spread to the wild. That’s why they’re killing and sampling up to 420 wild deer near where the
disease was detected.


Ward Stone is New York’s lead wildlife pathologist. He says those measures
are important, but they may not help in the long term.


“It would be nice if we could eradicate it in the next few weeks and it
doesn’t take hold, but I think it’s here to stay and I would not be
surprised to one day see it from Boston to Los Angeles.”


Chronic wasting disease has been found in 12 states, including Wisconsin and
Illinois. There’s no evidence it affects humans. Still, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention recommends against eating meat from infected
deer.


For the GLRC, I’m David Sommerstein.

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Report: Humans Contaminated by Pesticides

A new report finds the average person carries pesticide residue in their body that exceeds government-approved levels. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports:

Transcript

A new report finds the average person carries pesticide residue in their body that exceeds
government-approved levels. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports:


The Pesticide Action Network analyzed blood and urine samples of more than 9,000
people. The samples were collected by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.


According to the report, every sample contained pesticide residue. The highest
concentrations were found in adult women, children and Mexican Americans, who were
more likely to work in agriculture.


Angelica Barrera is with the Pesticide Action Network. She says the current testing of
these products isn’t enough, and they’re calling on Congress to impose tougher
regulations.


“To put the burden of proof on the chemical manufacturers, that before they put anything
on the market, they need to prove that that pesticide is in fact safe for public use.”


The most commonly found pesticide residue was from chlorpyrifos, an chemical used in
agriculture. A spokesperson for Dow Chemical, which makes the pesticide, said their
products are safe if used properly.


For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Karen Kelly.

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Starlink Corn Still Present in Some Supplies

A type of genetically engineered corn that was pulled from the market more than three years ago is still showing up in small amounts of the nation’s corn supply. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Chris Lehman reports:

Transcript

A type of genetically engineered corn that was pulled from the market more than
three years ago is still showing up in small amounts of the nation’s corn supply.
The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Chris Lehman reports:


Starlink corn was designed to be resistant to certain pests. But concerns over
possible health effects on humans led the government to limit its use to corn
grown for feeding livestock.


But when traces of Starlink were detected in taco shells in 2000, the genetically
modified corn was pulled from the market. Today, voluntary testing is conducted
by the USDA on growers who suspect their corn might be contaminated with
Starlink. Those tests have shown that Starlink is still present in trace amounts.


Rick Johns is an associate biology professor at Northern Illinois University. He
says it’s possible Starlink will be around for many years to come.


“Farmers aren’t necessarily good at keeping everything separate. The grain bins,
for example, are not well segregated – human food versus animal food – it’s all
together in one big bin. Even if you clean the bin out there’s lots of excess seeds
left inside of it. Similarly for the trucks, similarly for the grain elevators.”


A study by the Centers for Disease Control found no conclusive evidence of
allergic reaction to Starlink corn.


For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Chris Lehman.

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