Organic Health

According to a recent study over 25% of sunscreens go into the water after a person is swimming for 20 minutes.

More alarming is what goes into such sunscreens. The same study by researchers based at an Italian University found that the sunscreens could be causing ‘coral bleaching’. According to Katie Bird reporting for Cosmetic Design news:

Coral bleaching refers to the loss of the zooxanthellae algae that live in a symbiotic relationship with the coral. The algae provided nutrients and energy for the organism by photosynthesis and in return they benefit from a protected environment in which to live and a constant supply of carbon dioxide to use for photosynthesis. Without the zooxanthellae the coral host eventually dies with negative impacts on the reef ecosystem.

Apparently based on predictions of how many tourist visit coral areas combined with current FDA guidelines around sunscreen from the FDA, there would be potentially 4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreen released in the areas each year.

A recent article describes the impact of using organic materials and fertilizers. As well as avoiding the negative impact of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers, according to the article using organic materials could potentially slow down greenhouse emissions.

To follow are some quotes from various reports published this month by organic research organisation, Organic Monitor:

From the US report: “The natural & organic sector is the fastest growing in the North American cosmetics & toiletries industry, with sales increasing by 20% a year. Healthy market growth rates are projected to raise the market share of natural & organic products to 15% of total cosmetic & toiletry sales in the coming years.

High market growth rates and the absence of official standards are leading to many pseudo-natural products being launched. The proliferation of organic & natural personal care products is making consumers scrutinise the ingredient composition and demand products with high levels of natural extracts, ethical and certified organic ingredients”

From the UK report: “Natural & organic personal care products are gaining ground with sales almost doubling between 2002 and 2005. Growing consumer concern about chemicals in cosmetics & toiletries and widening availability are the twin engines of market growth.

Hair care and skin care are the largest product categories in the UK natural personal care products market with over 50 brands present in each category. Natural oral care products are the most established whilst the natural cosmetics market is projected to show the highest growth. Natural cosmetics are increasingly positioned as premium lines by manufacturers because of their high quality ingredients.”

The organic monitor approximates that British consumers spend €208m on natural and organic cosmetics. The Soil Association also notes that the growing market for organic cosmetics has pushed UK spending on organics up by almost a quarter over the last year.

A report from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer has uncovered what it has described as a “convincing link between processed meats and colorectal cancer”.

The report stated that there was considerable evidence that nitrite and other preservatives in processed meat increased the risk of cancer in the colon and rectum.

This implicitly endorses organic meat – nitrates are not allowed in the production of organic meat.

A recent study by Washington State University assessed the levels of antioxidants in citrus fruits and juices.

Organic lemonade had ten times the total eriocitrin (a form of antioxidant) compared to its conventional counterpart. Organic apple juice had three times as much hesperidin and twice as much hesperetin (again both forms of antioxidants) compared to non organic apple juice.

A USDA plant physioligist has published a paper examining strategies for soil conservation. He concluded that:

“Results of this research suggest that organic farming systems can provide greater long-term soil improvement than conventional no-tillage systems, despite the use of tillage in organic systems.”

A recent study by the Organic Monitor found that 89% of people who bought natural personal care products did so to avoid synthetic chemicals. Only 4% stated it was unimportant.

Health and ethical values were behind 71% of buyers motivation to buy such products according to the study.

High profile synthetic chemicals such as parabens and sodium lauryl sulphate were the products consumers were most cautious of.

Ironically because of lack of regulation in labeling – many “natural” even “organic” personal care products still have a broad range of potentially harmful synethetic chemicals.

The wave of consumer education is still at an early stage. The fact is that the only guarantee of purity in products is organic certification, which actually means something more than a marketing ploy. Certainly 79% of consumers said they would pay extra for certification, yet at this stage only 35% of buyers actively looked for the logo.

Perhaps because there are so few products that have gained organic certification? Or perhaps its just the first wave of consumer education… but we are confident that this will only grow.

The Times recently reported on a 725 acre farm in Newcastle in Tyne which is becoming the proving ground for the benefits of Organic farming.

The farm is part of a 12 Million Pound study funded by the European Union which will compare the health benefits of conventional versus organic produce.

This study involves 33 European academic centres and results so far have clearly demonstrated that organic produce has significant health benefits over conventional options. Specifically the vegetable crops returned 40% more beneficial compounds and milk up to 90% more beneficial compounds. Organic produce also had higher levels of minerals such as iron and zinc.

The Times article is revealing not just for reporting on these results but also on reporting the tension between such results and the UK based Food Standards Agency (FSA). The FSA has continually played down the growing evidence of organic health and nutritional benefits. This latest report will add more pressure for the FSA to change its position.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently released a 351 page report on children and health. It involved two dozen scientists and was reviewed by over 100 international experts. The study identified prenatal and early life exposure to pesticides as one of the most significant risk factors associated with cancer, birth defects and neurological problems.