Effects of pesticides on the right to food 2017, para. 31
Paragraph
Paragraph text
Pesticides also present a serious threat to drinking water, particularly in agricultural areas, which often depend on groundwater. While it can take several decades before pesticides applied in fields appear in water wells, high levels of herbicides in agricultural areas have already caused health problems for some communities. For example, in the United States of America, where over 70 million pounds of atrazine are used annually, runoff into water supplies has been linked to increased risk of birth defects. While atrazine was banned in the European Union in 2004, some European countries still detect it in groundwater today.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Special Rapporteur on the right to food
Document type
Special Procedures' report
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
Environment
Health
Water & Sanitation
Year
2017
Paragraph type
Other
Reference
SR Food, Report to the HRC (2017), A/HRC/34/48, para. 31.