Oils That Don't Pollute

The pesticide industry is the biggest scapegoat (and rightly so) for many of the toxins that are accumulating in our environment and in our bodies. Before the Stockholm Convention banned them, most pesticides and many chemicals used in pesticide production were persistent organic pollutants (POPs) or persistent bioaccumulative chemicals (PBTs). Substances are considered persistent toxins if they don't degrade naturally and/or our bodies cannot process them; thus, they persist and accumulate in the environment and in our bodies. As they build up in living tissues, they can reach toxic levels.

While POPs and PBCs are regulated in industries in developed countries, they are still produced in some developing countries. And though modern pesticides may not be produced from the most dangerous POPs and PBCs, they are still produced from toxic substances, and their production often involves other toxic substances.

The pesticide companies may have convinced you that their chemical is the only effective way to manage pests. But, a scientist at Vanderbilt University may have evidence to the contrary. In this press release, the scientists describes that he realized the insect-repellent powers of essential oils and set out to understand the molecular mechanisms that made them effective. He then used his molecular understanding to create mixtures of oils that provided non-toxic alternatives to pesticides.

Unfortunately, most modern companies seem more concerned with perpetuating their best-seling products rather than phasing out harmful products and investing in new alternatives. (The movie "Who Killed the Electric Car" is a perfect example of this behavior.)
Usually a company's budget includes funding to deal with problems created by their products, rather than funding for research, development, and transition to safer/better alternatives.

As noted in "Who Killed the Electric Car", the consumer is, in part, to blame. Unless we show concern and demand safer products, companies will not produce them. Businesses exist to make money, and as long as we give our money to the businesses that don't look out for our best interests, they will thrive, beating out smaller, socially responsible businesses. So do your homework - be an informed consumer. You are what you buy.