Our Environment

English Scientists are advocating more research into the possible links between environmental pollution and type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease. The Korean scientists found people were more at risk of diabetes if they were thin with high levels of POP's in their blood, than if they were over weight but with low levels of POP's


The British medical journal "Lancet" Dr's Jones and Griffin highlighted the need to research the possible link between persist ant organic pollutants, (POP's) and insulin resistance, which can lead to adult onset diabetes.

POP's is a group of chemicals which includes many pesticides such as dieldren, DDT, toxaphene and chlordane and several industrial chemical products or byproducts including polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCB's, dioxins and furans. Correlation does not automatically imply causation, but if there is a link the health implications could be tremendous.

There has been almost no consideration in the past for the possible influence of environmental factors such as pollution. POP's came into prominence as effective pesticides with the introduction of DDT in the 1940. But many of these chemicals including DDT fell out of favour after the were blamed for the declining number of wild birds and other animals and the possible negative human health effects.

The Stockholm convention, an international treaty banning a dozen of the worlds most dangerous POP's that took effect in May 2004 has helped reduce exposures, but many such chemicals remain in use even those that have been banned may linger in the environment for years.


Once released POP's can travel long distances in the atmosphere before they are deposited on land or in water.Humans can be exposed to POP's through diet, occupational accidents and the environment. As these compounds biodegrade slowly, they continue to find their way into the food chain and ultimately into the blood streams of individuals.


This should give our government reason for serious thought when it comes to food grown here in Australia. Particularly notice should be given to foods that are entering through Free Trade Agreements, one container being check out of five is pathetic. Food imports are being permitted in from countries that don't pass our food standards, the sea foods that are grown in the "Mekong" delta and in Ti water ways are no different from growing in a sewer.


As an example chlordane was banned two decades ago in the United States but continue to be present at high levels in the US food supply. It is well documented that POP's can cause negative health effects.The US Environmental Protection Agency states that the pesticide chlordane eg. can cause cancer, can lead to behavioral disorders in children if exposed before birth or while nursing, harms the endocrine system, nervous system, digestive system and liver.