The Silent Invaders: Pesticides, Livelihoods and Women's Health - Softcover

9781856499965: The Silent Invaders: Pesticides, Livelihoods and Women's Health

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1856499960 ISBN 13: 9781856499965

Publisher: Zed Books, 2002

At a time when the world‘s intensive hi-tech agricultural system is being criticised for its health and environmental impacts, pesticides are increasingly under scrutiny. Pesticides Action Network UK is part of an international network of national and community organizations monitoring the development and marketing of pesticides, dialoguing with the companies involved in order to minimize possible damage to people and nature, and campaigning for tighter controls over pesticide marketing and for new bio-friendly approaches to agricultural production. This PAN UK book brings together in an up-to-date and comprehensive manner the experience and findings of many different scientists, farmers‘ organizations and PAN members around the world. The particular focus is on women‘s health. In many societies, most work in the fields is done by women rather than men. As a result, not only are more women than men often exposed to pesticides, but the toxic effects impact on women in specific physiological ways. The information in this volume documents this and makes clear the urgent need for more systematic attention to gender issues in pesticide and sustainable agriculture-related research and action. Of particular practical usefulness are those sections which examine what progress has been made by governments and corporations in improving safety and safe use of pesticides; and how local communities, and in particular women, have fought back against indiscriminate and unsafe pesticide use, and pursued alternatives. A tool kit points readers to relevant action methodologies and sources of further information.

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About the Author:

Miriam Jacobs is affiliated with the Molecular Toxicology Group at the School of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Surrey, UK. Barbara Dinham is the Program Director of the Pesticide Action Network UK.

Review:

'We should all be indebted to Miriam Jacobs for her work on the effects of pesticides. She is that rare creature: a scientist who uses simple language we can all understand. Every woman who cares about the connection between her health and the food she eats should read this book.' John Humphrys, broadcaster and author of The Great Food Gamble 'For nearly half a century women have been raising a voice against the violence of pesticides. Silent Invaders follows the tradition of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring to wake us up from the ecological slumber that allows poisons to spread even in a period when safe alternatives to them are recognized and proven.' Vandana Shiva, scientist author and campaigner 'At last - a book about the dangers of pesticides as they affect those who grow most of the world's food: women. Authored by leading thinkers in the field of public health, this is a book to send to government officials, carry into public hearings, discuss with neighbours, and keep open on one's own writing desk.' Sandra Steingraber, author of Living Downstream: An Ecologist Looks at Cancer and the Environment 'This new work follows in the footsteps of Rachel Carson's pioneering work, Silent Spring. It gives much new detail of pesticide hazards and explanations of the toxicity manifested and also focuses on the specific dangers to women. All in all, a superb book constituting a well documented, excellently reasoned case against the continued widespread use of chemical pesticides.' Dennis Parke, former Chairman of the WHO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues

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