Benghazi – Health concerns are rising in the South. This is due to heavy reliance on local agricultural and animal production. There is no effective oversight. There is also insufficient awareness of proper practices. The random use of fertilizers and pesticides is a problem. Weak agricultural guidance and an unregulated pesticide market contribute to this. This threatens human health and the environment. It increases the likelihood of toxins entering the food chain. Urgent intervention is needed. This will ensure safe and sustainable food.
Toxins Without Oversight
Health risks do not always appear directly. They silently seep from fields to people’s tables. This happens through random pesticide use. It is also due to a lack of effective food and environmental control. Specialists in the country’s south warn the situation is concerning. Chemical pesticides are used without enough scientific guidance. This has led to soil and groundwater pollution. It has also resulted in pests resistant to treatment. Academic reports confirm pesticide residues in agricultural products. These residues can transfer to humans via the food chain. This causes serious diseases. Examples include kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, and some cancers. Experts also point to low farmer awareness. Some farms rely on unqualified workers. These workers are given broad powers without supervision. Agricultural guidance and market oversight roles have declined. In response, specialists demand pesticide market reorganization. They call for stricter product inspection. Penalties must be enforced. A scientific agricultural culture is also needed. This will protect people and the environment. It will ensure safe and sustainable food security. Local activists call for greater transparency. They want examination results to be public. They urge municipalities, universities, and regulatory bodies to unite efforts. This will create practical plans to reduce risks. It will protect community health. Future generations must be protected now, before it is too late.
Tumors and Health Prevention
Fayza Saad Ali Jawda spoke about tumor causes. She is the former Director of the Health Awareness and Education Office in Wadi Al-Ajal. She also directs the Qalaa Tumor Treatment Center. Jawda is a co-founder of the “Yashfeen” Foundation. She stated that tumor causes in the South are now clear. They are no longer unknown. She affirmed their direct link to malnutrition and incorrect agricultural practices. Weak health control over food and the environment also contributes. Jawda explained the absence of active regulatory bodies. These include food control agencies and agricultural police. This has exposed citizens to unsafe products. Food awareness is low. Healthy alternatives are scarce. Jawda warned against using potassium bromate in some bakeries. This is a potential carcinogen. It has been internationally banned. She also highlighted incorrect practices in food stores. These include exposing water and beverages to sunlight. The circulation of prohibited colorings and substances is another issue. She cautioned about the dangers of charcoal production inside farms. This generates thick smoke. It pollutes the air. It directly affects the respiratory system. Jawda also pointed to the environmental impacts of oil fields. These fields are widespread in the South. She confirmed tumor cases among residents living near them. This is due to continuous exposure to emissions and pollutants. Urgent regulatory intervention is needed. Effective protection plans for residents’ health are essential.
Protecting Summer Crops
Jawda emphasized mothers’ pivotal role. They protect children’s health. She stressed that preserved and long-stored foods pose a direct health risk. Tampering with expiry dates is also dangerous. This is especially true for children. Farmer Ibrahim Kari Kuri provided a field testimony. He has been farming since 2016. His farm primarily grows fodder crops. These include alfalfa, barley, wheat, and oats. He focuses on protecting crops from insect pests. Pesticides are used during summer months. They specifically combat a local insect called “Al-Asaylah”. Kari Kuri noted that pesticides protect crops from losses. They adhere to a preventive system. Agricultural engineers are consulted before spraying. He added that pesticides are purchased from agricultural stores. These are located in Al-Qardah area of Sabha city. They come with clear instructions on doses. Safety periods before harvest are also specified. However, some types are adulterated or low quality. This affects their effectiveness. The farmer confirmed no health problems from pesticide use. He noted that official agricultural guidance is absent. Farmers often rely on personal consultations with engineers. He concluded by listing major challenges for farmers. These include high prices for fertilizers and pesticides. Fuel shortages and unstable electricity are also issues. These negatively impact agricultural work continuity. There is a greater need for organized support and guidance. This will ensure sustainable, environmentally sound, and healthy production.
Pesticides and Health and Environmental Impacts
Farmer and agricultural engineer Abdulsalam Mohammed Saqr spoke. He has been farming since childhood. He has been an agricultural engineer since 1990. He stated that unguided use of agricultural pesticides causes increasing health and environmental damage on farms. Saqr clarified in his special statement for the investigation. Pesticides are only used when necessary. Most materials are obtained from the black market. Often, there are no clear agricultural guidelines. This increases risks associated with misuse. It also leads to unsafe exposure for farmers and the surrounding environment. He indicated that determining doses and safety periods relies on instructions. These are written on pesticide containers. His long practical experience in agriculture also plays a role. However, he has observed negative effects of pesticides over time. These include impacts on soil and crops. He confirmed this phenomenon is continuous. This shows the long-term effect of pesticides on land and crop quality. Regarding health impacts, Saqr admitted to facing health problems. He and some workers experienced issues. These were linked to using specific types or quantities of pesticides. He confirmed that risks are multiplied. This is due to the spread of prohibited and expired pesticides. The lack of clear instructions on some containers also contributes. Saqr emphasized the necessity of supervised spraying. A specialized agricultural guide or engineer must oversee it. He urged concerned parties, farmers, and consumers to follow scientific guidelines. Markets must be regulated. This will ensure safe and responsible pesticide use. It will protect human health and the environment. It will also guarantee safe and sustainable agricultural production long-term. Agricultural recommendations stress the importance of black market monitoring. Pesticide prices and circulation must be controlled. This limits unauthorized or prohibited pesticides reaching farmers. This helps reduce health and environmental risks. The need for agricultural guidance offices is also emphasized. These offices should serve as a reference for farmers. They will provide scientific guidance on doses. They will also advise on safety periods. Safe pesticide use methods will be taught. This will ensure the application of best agricultural practices. Furthermore, harvesting crops after the specified safety period is crucial. This protects consumers. It ensures the safety of agricultural products. It reduces pesticide residue transfer into the food chain. It also minimizes negative impacts on human health.
The Danger of Daily Food
The debate over “healthy food” and disease prevention is growing. A question arises about the quality of food consumed in the South. Citizens rely on local agricultural and animal products. However, oversight is weak. Awareness of proper practices is also lacking. Abdullah Ali Al-Shuofair is a Master of Environmental Sciences. He is a faculty member at Wadi Al-Shati University. He explained that seeking healthy food aims for a healthy life. It also aims for disease prevention. He noted the greatest danger lies in absolute trust in local products. These products are not subjected to effective oversight. Al-Shuofair indicated excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides. Chemical substances in agriculture and animal production pollute the food system. This directly or indirectly affects human health. Humans are at the top of the food chain. Citizens prefer local products. They believe these products are high quality. However, incorrect agricultural practices are the missing link. They connect daily food to long-term cumulative health risks. This necessitates strengthening oversight. Agricultural guidance and continuous awareness are also needed. Al-Shuofair explained direct danger mechanisms. Excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers increases nitrate content in crops. This is especially true for fruits. This represents a direct health threat. He also warned against spraying pesticides. Farmers often disregard the safety periods written on containers. This leads to pesticide transfer to consumers. Risks increase when using higher concentrations than recommended. Mixing more than one type also increases toxicity. This happens in ways manufacturers cannot predict. Indirect danger relates to animals. They feed on fodder or plants heavily treated with fertilizers or pesticides. Chemical substances accumulate in their tissues. These then transfer to humans when meat is consumed. This process is scientifically known as “bioamplification.” It means increased toxin concentration up the food chain to humans. Al-Shuofair pointed out that imported products are partially subject to control and analysis. Local products are consumed as automatically safe. This is despite the absence of actual oversight. He added that slaughtering and processing practices are unhealthy. This occurs in some local abattoirs. Imported products are preserved according to proper chilling and freezing standards. He concluded by affirming pollution from fertilizers, pesticides, and carcinogens threatens public health. Long-term, this may lead to cancer. It can also cause endocrine disorders and nervous system problems. He called for raising food awareness. He also urged activation of oversight to protect people.