Flowers are typical gifts for many holidays—Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, and so on—making the floral industry a cash cow. However, have you ever wondered what chemical substances are used while these flowers are being mass-produced? Or better yet, how are these chemicals being monitored?
Chemical substances used in the production of both cut flowers and ornamentals is controlled and monitored by the EPA. Yet, the EPA’s human involvement is limited to safety concerns for workers and growers and does not address possible dangers from residues on flower products passed on to consumers; and according to Dr. Susan Kegley from the Pesticide Action Network, “It’s very possible that there are significant levels of pesticides on commercial flowers since the main criteria for marketability is appearance, with no restrictions on allowable residues.” While these chemical hazards are most likely to affect production workers, they can also have a significant impact on consumers and the environment.
Among the flowers sold within the United States, around 65 percent are imported. There have been instances where flower workers have been poisoned from pesticides in countries such as Colombia. Yet flower imports to the United States are not inspected for pesticide residues since they are not edible. Since they are agricultural products, however, they must be free of pesticides when imported. This is a domestic problem as well, though. In California, flowers and ornamentals rank sixth among all crops causing pesticide illnesses. Pesticides may cause cancer, birth defects, reproductive and nervous system damage, not including the harsh environmental impacts they have, such as polluting waterways. Furthermore, importing all of these flowers to the United States wreaks havoc on energy consumption. From trucking to airplanes, it is safe to say that a vase holding a bunch of ten imported flowers contains well over half a liter of oil, not to mention the vast amount of carbon dioxide emissions that are left to pollute the air.
Possible solutions to these problems may be to look for feasible ways to grow flowers domestically, in which sustainable and organic promotions can be implemented; and to place stricter regulations on importing flowers. However, we must find some way to reduce the risk of illnesses caused by pesticides, as well as ways to reduce other social and environmental impacts.
I think that the only way to offset the amount of energy used to transport flowers used in floral designs is to just try to educate the public and advertise the purchasing of locally grown flowers. People have come to expect that they can get any of the flowers that they want anytime of the year. If we can maybe get some people to think about how far these flowers are coming from then we could change how this is being done. But in all reality I dont think that there is much that can be done about the distance that flowers are being transported because there is a demand and people will pay the price.
ReplyDeleteOne point in this post particularly spoke to me, the idea that appearance of the flowers is what consumers look for, as it is much the same with vegetable in super-markets: appearance is the most important thing to consumers. The more important thing should be purity and quality. By nature, vegetables and flowers and the like should not all look identical. Also, people seem to forget the fact that when things like flowers and vegetables are imported, it is inevitable that such transportation will necessitate some form of preservative or pesticide. And of course that transportation contributes to carbon emissions from trucks, boats etc. Local farmers markets can provide alternatives that are free from presevatives and pesticides and do not have the same contributions to pollution as they do not have to be shipped from long distances. The most important solution I believe is to divert from the idea that at every holiday of the year, one much buy things. If we could shift to a society where sentiments, and gestures on days like mothers day means more, we could change this problem entirely. For example, my mother loves out vegetable and herb garden, therefore as her mothers day present, it is tradition in our family to donate our day to turning the soil, visiting the nursery, pulling weeds and planting the new garden. This gesture means more to her than flowers that would wilt in a week or two ever could. And, conveniently, it is also good for the rest of the family who all get to eat the products of the garden later in the summer.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that instead of giving flowers maybe doing something as a family or a really thoughtful gift or expression would be much more beneficial in the long run with the less likelihood of getting ill. Oh and it would be much easier on my wallet because I buy flowers for my girl friend all the time! However flowers are also a very easy gift that is usually guaranteed to work most of the time especially if you are in a pinch for a present. Also uniform flowers such as roses are aesthetically pleasing and most people want that kind of quality. I know people who see aesthetically pleasing food are much more likely to eat that food but they are actually eating and consuming the uniform tomatoes and what have you full of pesticides and then the food is gone. Flowers are strictly for decoration (most of the time anyways) so why wouldn't you want them to be nice and pretty. I actually have never given much thought about the pesticides on imported flowers and all I buy are forgetmenots and roses when in season. But I can see how this could potentially be detrimental to peoples health.
ReplyDelete-Donny Hayes
I agree with the previous comments regarding the consumer demand that further drives the flower industry no matter the environmental costs assopciated with shipping these flowers.
ReplyDeleteI myself was unaware of the potential hazard that these flowers may pose to our health. As I was reading this post I kept thinking about the numerous times I have woken up to flowers all over my table because the cat got "into them". After reading this not only will I avoid purchasing flowers that I am not aware of their origins, but I am also going to ensure that flowers in my home are not in a position that they can pose a threat to my family, myself or my furry friends! Thank You!!