scholarly journals Pesticide Toxicity Footprints of Australian Dietary Choices

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4314
Author(s):  
Bradley Ridoutt ◽  
Danielle Baird ◽  
Javier Navarro ◽  
Gilly A. Hendrie
Keyword(s):  
Food System ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Quadrant Analysis ◽  
Pesticide Use ◽  
Human Toxicity ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Pesticide Toxicity ◽  
Dietary Shift ◽  
Freshwater Ecotoxicity ◽  
Dietary Choices

Pesticides are widely used in food production, yet the potential harm associated with their emission into the environment is rarely considered in the context of sustainable diets. In this study, a life cycle assessment was used to quantify the freshwater ecotoxicity, human toxicity carcinogenic effects, and human toxicity noncarcinogenic effects associated with pesticide use in relation to 9341 individual Australian adult daily diets. The three environmental indicators were also combined into a pesticide toxicity footprint, and a diet quality score was applied to each diet. Energy-dense and nutrient-poor discretionary foods, fruits, and protein-rich foods were the sources of most of the dietary pesticide impacts. Problematically, a dietary shift toward recommended diets was found to increase the pesticide toxicity footprint compared to the current average diet. Using a quadrant analysis, a recommended diet was identified with a 38% lower pesticide toxicity footprint. This was achieved mainly through a reduction in the discretionary food intake and by limiting the choice of fresh fruits. As the latter contradicts dietary recommendations to eat a variety of fruits of different types and colors, we concluded that dietary change may not be the best approach to lowering the environmental impacts of pesticides in the food system. Instead, targeted action in the horticultural industry may be more effective. Consumers might encourage this transition by supporting growers that reduce pesticide use and apply less environmentally harmful active ingredients.

scholarly journals Moving Consumers along the Innovation Adoption Curve: A New Approach to Accelerate the Shift toward a More Sustainable Diet

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4477
Author(s):  
Antje Gonera ◽  
Erik Svanes ◽  
Annechen Bahr Bugge ◽  
Malin Myrset Hatlebakk ◽  
Katja-Maria Prexl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diffusion Of Innovation ◽  
Food System ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Innovation Adoption ◽  
Environmental Footprint ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Dietary Shift ◽  
Research And Innovation ◽  
Sustainable Diet

Unsustainable food production and consumption contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. Adopting a more plant-based diet has been identified as a necessary change toward a more sustainable food system. In response to the call for transdisciplinary research on the sustainability of food consumption, this exploratory study combined consumer science, nutrition and health, sustainability research, and innovation to develop a new approach that can accelerate the shift toward a more sustainable diet. Quantitative data on the eating habits and attitudes of 1785 consumers was combined with data on environmental impacts via a life cycle assessment for different consumer segments. We studied the sustainable dietary shift using the diffusion of innovation theory, as well as qualitative and quantitative approaches. We identified and characterized seven consumer segments and related habits and attitudes toward an increase in plant-based foods and meat reduction. The nutritional quality and the environmental footprint of the segments’ dinners showed large differences. The results indicate that moving consumers along the innovation adoption curve with targeted interventions can reduce the environmental footprint of people’s diets and improve dietary health. We also discussed the value of user-centric innovation tools for the translation of insights into interventions by working with personas.

scholarly journals Nutrition-Oriented Reformulation of Extruded Cereals and Associated Environmental Footprint: A Case Study

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1260
Author(s):  
Namy Espinoza-Orias ◽  
Antonis Vlassopoulos ◽  
Gabriel Masset
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Food System ◽  
Resource Depletion ◽  
Nutritional Composition ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Environmental Footprint ◽  
Land Use Impacts

The global food system faces a dual challenge for the decades ahead: to (re)formulate foods capable to feed a growing population while reducing their environmental footprint. In this analysis, nutritional composition, recipe, and sourcing data were analyzed alongside five environmental indicators: climate change (CC), freshwater consumption scarcity (FWCS), abiotic resource depletion (ARD), land use impacts on biodiversity (LUIB), and impacts on ecosphere/ecosystems quality (IEEQ) to assess improvement after three reformulation cycles (2003, 2010, 2018) in three extruded breakfast cereals. A life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed using life cycle inventory (LCI) composed by both primary data from the manufacturer and secondary data from usual third-party LCI datasets. Reformulation led to improved nutritional quality for all three products. In terms of environmental impact, improvements were observed for the CC, ARD, and IEEQ indicators, with average reductions of 12%, 14%, and 2% between 2003 and 2018, respectively. Conversely, the FWCS and LUIB indicators were increased by 57% and 70%, respectively. For all indicators but ARD, ingredients contributed most to the environmental impact. This study highlights the need for further focus on the selection of less demanding ingredients and improvements in agricultural practices in order to achieve environmental and nutritional improvements.

scholarly journals Genomics in Personalized Nutrition: Can You “Eat for Your Genes”?

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 3118
Author(s):  
Veronica A. Mullins ◽  
William Bresette ◽  
Laurel Johnstone ◽  
Brian Hallmark ◽  
Floyd H. Chilton
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid Biosynthesis ◽  
Dietary Exposure ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Dietary Interventions ◽  
Vitamin D Metabolism ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Snp Data ◽  
Dietary Choices

Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data are now quickly and inexpensively acquired, raising the prospect of creating personalized dietary recommendations based on an individual’s genetic variability at multiple SNPs. However, relatively little is known about most specific gene–diet interactions, and many molecular and clinical phenotypes of interest (e.g., body mass index [BMI]) involve multiple genes. In this review, we discuss direct to consumer genetic testing (DTC-GT) and the current potential for precision nutrition based on an individual’s genetic data. We review important issues such as dietary exposure and genetic architecture addressing the concepts of penetrance, pleiotropy, epistasis, polygenicity, and epigenetics. More specifically, we discuss how they complicate using genotypic data to predict phenotypes as well as response to dietary interventions. Then, several examples (including caffeine sensitivity, alcohol dependence, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity/appetite, cardiovascular, Alzheimer’s disease, folate metabolism, long-chain fatty acid biosynthesis, and vitamin D metabolism) are provided illustrating how genotypic information could be used to inform nutritional recommendations. We conclude by examining ethical considerations and practical applications for using genetic information to inform dietary choices and the future role genetics may play in adopting changes beyond population-wide healthy eating guidelines.

scholarly journals Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Marine Insulation Materials

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1099
Author(s):  
Hayoung Jang ◽  
Yoonwon Jang ◽  
Byongug Jeong ◽  
Nak-Kyun Cho
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Polyurethane Foam ◽  
Mineral Wool ◽  
Expanded Polystyrene ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Human Toxicity ◽  
Insulation Materials ◽  
Marine Vessels

This study aimed to reduce the holistic environmental impacts of insulation materials proposed for the accommodation of a marine cargo ship, and suggest the optimal option for cleaner ship production, using life cycle assessment. With a commercial bulk carrier as a case ship, three major insulations were assessed, which were wool-based material (mineral wool or glass wool), expanded polystyrene, and polyurethane foam. The analysis was scoped based on ‘from cradle to grave’, while focusing on the following five representative environmental indicators: global warming potential100years, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, ozone depletion potential, and human toxicity potential. The assessment was performed in the platform of the GaBi software. The results showed that polyurethane foam would have the greatest impacts, especially in regard to global warming, eutrophication, and human toxicity. On the other hand, expanded polystyrene and wool-based material showed better environmental performance than polyurethane foam. For example, wool-based insulation was found, in terms of GWP and HTP, to produce 2.1 × 104 kg CO2-eq and 760.1 kg DCB-eq, respectively, and expanded polystyrene had similar results with respect to GWP, AP, and EP as 2.1 × 104 kg CO2-eq, 23.3 kg SO2-eq, and 2.7 kg Phosphate-eq, respectively. In fact, the research findings point out the shortcomings of current design practices in selecting insulation materials for marine vessels, while providing meaningful insights into the importance of the selection of appropriate insulation materials for marine vessels for cleaner shipping. Therefore, it is believed that this paper will make a sound contribution to enhancing future design practice and regulatory frameworks in response to environmental issues in the marine industry.

scholarly journals Pesticide Toxicity Profile: Coumarin and Indandione Rodenticides

EDIS ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2005 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick M. Fishel
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Animal ◽  
Cooperative Extension Service ◽  
Extension Service ◽  
Human Toxicity ◽  
Toxicity Profile ◽  
University Of Florida ◽  
Pesticide Toxicity ◽  
General Overview ◽  
Trade Names ◽  
Cross Reference

This document provides a general overview of human toxicity, provides a listing of laboratory animal and wildlife toxicities and a cross reference of chemical, common and trade names of coumarin and indandione rodenticides registered for use in Florida. This document is PI-76, one of a series of the Pesticide Information Office, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published October 2005. 

scholarly journals Drivers of Personal Safety in Agriculture: A Case Study with Pesticide Operators

Agriculture ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christos Damalas ◽  
Spyridon Koutroubas ◽  
Gholamhossein Abdollahzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Farm Workers ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Pesticide Use ◽  
Personal Safety ◽  
Perception Of Risk ◽  
Pesticide Toxicity ◽  
Perceived Importance ◽  
Safe Behavior ◽  
Risk Knowledge

Agriculture is a hazardous occupational industry for farmers and farm workers; therefore, decisions to improve safety in the working place require understanding behavior of farmers and farm workers and factors affecting it. This study examined factors influencing perceived importance of personal safety and safe behavior of farmers in terms of personal protective equipment (PPE) use in pesticide spraying. Data were collected from a previous survey of farmers in rural areas of northern Greece. Over half of the farmers (55.4%) perceived low importance of personal safety in pesticide spraying. Perceived importance of personal safety increased in young farmers, with high education level, and large land area as well as with high perception of risk, knowledge of pesticide toxicity, seminar in pesticide use, access to internet, and perceived usefulness of PPE. Most farmers showed unsafe behavior in PPE use in terms of using long-sleeved shirt, long pants, chemical resistant gloves, socks, and shoes (58.9%). Farmers perceived low risk of pesticides (65.2%), despite the fact that two out of three farmers (66.1%) perceived high usefulness of PPE. Safe behavior in pesticide use increased in young farmers, with high education level, and small land area as well as with high perception of risk, knowledge of pesticide toxicity, seminar in pesticide use, access to internet, and perceived usefulness of PPE. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that knowledge of pesticide toxicity, education, age, and farm size were significant predictors of perceived importance of personal safety. In addition, self-confidence in spraying, following colleagues’ behaviors, risk perception, knowledge of pesticide toxicity, and farm size were significant predictors of safe behavior in terms of PPE use during pesticide spraying. Findings highlight differences in how farmers perceive personal safety and how they finally respond in daily action with respect to personal safety measures. Perception of risk, knowledge of pesticide toxicity, and farm size were common significant predictors for both variables. Lifelong education targeting promotion of knowledge about pesticide risks among farmers should be always a priority.

scholarly journals The Contribution of Thai Fisheries to Sustainable Seafood Consumption: National Trends and Future Projections

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 880
Author(s):  
Tiptiwa Sampantamit ◽  
Long Ho ◽  
Carl Lachat ◽  
Giles Hanley-Cook ◽  
Peter Goethals
Keyword(s):  
Food System ◽  
National Level ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Seafood Consumption ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Sustainable Seafood ◽  
Fishery Products ◽  
National Trends ◽  
Oceanic Ecosystem ◽  
Fish And Shellfish

Sustainably feeding a growing human population is one of the greatest food system challenges of the 21st century. Seafood plays a vital role in supporting human wellbeing, by providing bioavailable and nutrient-dense animal-source food. In Thailand, seafood demand is increasing, and wild capture fishery yields have plateaued, due to oceanic ecosystem degradation and fishery stock exploitation. In this study, we investigated the supply trend of fishery products and subsequent seafood-derived nutrient availability over the last decade. In addition, we explored the possibility of predicting seafood availability and consumption levels, including adherence to Thailand’s national food guide and global dietary recommendations for sustainable seafood consumption. Our findings indicate that, at national-level, fishery products supplied between 19% and 35% of the Thai populations recommended dietary protein intake, 4–6% of calcium, 6–11% of iron, and 2–4% of zinc from 1995 to 2015. Nevertheless, our research also reports that if Thailand’s wild-caught seafood production were to decrease by 13%, as is highly likely, by 2030, the country might face a per capita supply deficit of fish and shellfish to meet healthy and sustainable dietary recommendations (28–30 g/day), let alone the current Thai average intake (32 g/day). Although a 1% per year increase in aquaculture production might bridge this supply gap, policymakers and relevant fishery stakeholders must consider the long-term environmental impacts of such an approach in Thailand.

scholarly journals Human Health and Ecosystem Quality Benefits with Life Cycle Assessment Due to Fungicides Elimination in Agriculture

2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 846
Author(s):  
Georgios Archimidis Tsalidis
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Human Toxicity ◽  
Ecosystem Quality ◽  
Freshwater Ecotoxicity ◽  
Terrestrial Ecotoxicity ◽  
Expected Benefits ◽  
European Citizen ◽  
Freshwater Eutrophication

Industrial agriculture results in environmental burdens due to the overuse of fertilizers and pesticides. Fungicides is a class of pesticides whose application contributes (among others) to human toxicity and ecotoxicity. The European Union aims to increase organic agriculture. For this reason, this work aims to analyze climate change, freshwater ecotoxicity, terrestrial ecotoxicity, human toxicity, (terrestrial) acidification, and freshwater eutrophication impacts of fungicides and calculate expected benefits to human health (per European citizen) and ecosystem quality (terrestrial) with life cycle assessment (LCA) during crop production. The Scopus database was searched for LCA studies that considered the application of fungicides to specific crops. The analysis shows how many systemic and contact fungicides were considered by LCA studies and what was the applied dosage. Furthermore, it shows that fungicides highly contribute to freshwater ecotoxicity, terrestrial ecotoxicity, human toxicity, and freshwater eutrophication for fruits and vegetables, but to a low extent compared to all considered environmental impacts in the case of cereals and rapeseed. Expected benefits to human health and ecosystem quality after fungicides elimination are greater for fruits and vegetables, ranging between 0 to 47 min per European citizen in a year and 0 to 90 species per year, respectively.

The Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Various Dietary Practices and Intervention Possibilities to Reduce This Impact

2016 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Celia Green ◽  
Andrew Joyce ◽  
Jonathan Hallett ◽  
Toni Hannelly ◽  
Gemma Carey
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Systems Science ◽  
Dietary Practices ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
Dietary Choices ◽  
The Impact

This chapter examines the link between dietary choices and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and possible interventions to reduce this impact. The connections between climate change, food systems and public health are explored. It is shown that there is variance in the impact of different food types on GHG emissions, with animal products having the greatest impact. The role of food system activities in the production of GHG emissions is also explored. Dietary choices and GHG emissions are examined using case studies from a variety of countries. Results show that reduced animal food production has increased potential to reduce GHG emissions compared to technological mitigation or increased productivity measures. Finally, a systems science approach is used to explore possible interventions aimed at reducing consumption of animal products.

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