Source: Clancy, K.L. 1990. Agriculture and human health. p. 655-665. In C.A. Edwards and R. Lan (ed.) Sustainable agricultural systems. Soil Water Conserv. Soc., Ankeny, IA.

The way agriculture affects human health is crucial in determining whether or not it is a sustainable system. If agriculture does not keep humans healthy, the methods must be changed. Healthy agriculture provides a safe place for its workers. They work to produce nutritious food, and focus on preserving the environment in the process. There are four main problems that affect the sustainability of an agricultural system through human health. These include pesticides, antibiotics, nitrates, and the nutritional quality of food. Pesticides are the largest threat to human health. Farm workers that use them on a regular basis are in the most danger. The next concern is the people that are exposed to small amounts over a long period of time. Reports give evidence that there are deadly diseases that can be contracted as a result of exposure to various pesticide contaminants on food and in water. Many states have found pesticide contamination in well water. Another concern is that mothers can transmit possible contaminants to babies through nursing. Research is needed to determine human health tolerances and to compare systems using pesticides to systems that do not. The second concern about health and agriculture is the over-use of antibiotics in animals. This may be causing bacteria to become resistant, which may prove to be harmful to humans. The implementation of systems without antibiotics looks promising. Nitrates, the next concern, are harmful to humans in excessive amounts. The use of nitrogen fertilizers can cause dangerous nitrates to be present in drinking water and vegetables. Nutritional quality is not well understood but thought to be closely linked to good health. There is a consumer trend to avoid health hazards by buying food grown without harmful inputs. In hope of a healthy and sustainable future, farm policy must be made with health in mind as it also considers profit and production.

Abstract author: Michael James, 25 November 1999.

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