Study finds 80% of Americans exposed to harmful pesticide in oat-based foods. Findings highlight concerns over fertility and puberty effects
A recent study by a US-based advocacy group has revealed alarming findings on the exposure of Americans to a little-known chemical found in oat-based foods, such as Cheerios and Quaker Oats. The study, published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, found that 80 percent of Americans tested positive for chlormequat, a harmful pesticide, the New York Post reported.
Chlormequat, described as a “highly toxic agricultural chemical,” is permitted for use on oats and other grains imported to the US, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG). The chemical alters a plant’s growth, making it easier to harvest by preventing it from bending over. The study detected chlormequat in 92 percent of oat-based foods purchased in May 2023, including popular brands like Quaker Oats and Cheerios.
Despite these concerning findings, General Mills and PepsiCo, the manufacturers of these products, did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Urine tests conducted by the EWG between 2017 and 2023 revealed higher levels and more frequent detections of chlormequat in 2023 samples, suggesting an increasing consumer exposure to the pesticide.
Read More: Putin Says Russia Is Close to Creating Breakthrough Cancer Vaccines
Notably, chlormequat was detected in 69 percent of study participants in 2017, rising to 74 percent between 2018 and 2022, and spiking to 90 percent in 2023. While research on chlormequat’s effects is ongoing, studies on animals have shown potential harm to reproductive systems and fetal growth, raising concerns about its impact on humans. Despite these risks, the US Environmental Protection Agency proposed allowing the first-ever use of chlormequat on barley, oat, triticale, and wheat grown in the US.
Read More: Dubai aims to launch world’s first commercial air taxi service by 2026
This decision, deemed “dangerous” by the EWG, was made in response to a request by chlormequat manufacturer Taminco. The EWG has called for action from the federal government, including potential mandates from the Food and Drug Administration for testing US foods for chlormequat. Until regulatory measures are established, the EWG recommends that consumers opt for organic oat products grown without toxic pesticides like chlormequat and glyphosate.
