in a pilot study1,2,3 The findings, conducted by the Environmental Working Group and published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology on February 15, 2024, show that 80% of Americans test positive for chlormequat, a Agricultural chemicals used as pesticides and plant growth regulators.4
Additionally, the chemical was detected in 92 percent of oat-based foods, including popular brands like Quaker Oats and Cheerios. According to the expert working group report:5
“A groundbreaking analysis of chlormequat in Americans raises alarm bells because the chemical has been linked to reproductive and developmental problems in animal studies, suggesting it may cause similar harm in humans.”
EPA considers expanding use of chlormequat in crops
In the United States, chlormequat is currently only registered for use as a plant growth regulator (PGR) in ornamental plants, but the Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed expanding registration to include barley, oats, and triticale (a hybrid cereal obtained through crossbreeding). ) wheat and rye) and wheat, giving farmers another tool to increase yields.6 According to the EPA, chlormequat:7
“…controls plant size by blocking hormones that stimulate growth before flowering. In small grains such as wheat, barley, oats, and triticale, lodging (bending or breaking of small grain stems) is a Major production issues.
Lodging can severely limit grain yield and harvestability and adversely affect grain quality. As a plant growth regulator, chlormequat application reduces the height of cereal plant stems, thereby reducing lodging and potentially increasing cereal yields. “
However, doing so may harm consumers’ health. Although the EPA states that “there are no dietary, residential, or overall… risks of concern,”8 expert working group9 Citing evidence that this is not the case.
Animal studies show toxic effects of chlormequat
According to the EWG, historical and recently published animal studies indicate:10
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The reproductive capacity of pigs raised on grains treated with chlormequat is reduced; the estrous cycle of sows is disturbed and mating is difficult. |
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Reduced fertilizing ability of male mouse sperm |
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Decreased sperm motility in male rats |
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Delayed puberty, reduced male reproductive organ weight, and reduced testosterone levels in male rats |
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Unbalanced fetal head and bone growth |
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Metabolic disorders |
Chlormequat has also been shown to affect the endocrine system of animals, but the exact mechanism is unclear. Previous research has shown that chlormequat works differently than most other endocrine-disrupting chemicals. For example, it does not use estrogen or androgen receptors and does not alter aromatase activity.
Instead, researchers believe it may affect the endocrine system by altering steroid biosynthesis and causing endoplasmic reticulum stress.11 As the EWG noted,12 “While these studies focused only on the chemical’s potential effects on animals, they raise the question of whether it could harm humans as well.”
Chlormequat exposure is rising
Current tests indicate that people have been exposed to chlormequat through food, mainly imported grains. EPA decides to authorize import of chlormequat-treated grains in 201813 contributed to this exposure.
Expanding its use as a plant growth regulator in the United States to staple crops would clearly increase exposure levels and could lead to serious adverse effects. As reported in the special study:14
“Chlormequat is a plant growth regulator whose use in cereal crops is increasing in North America. Toxicology studies have shown that exposure to chlormequat is lower than the allowable daily intake established by regulatory agencies. Can reduce fertility and harm the developing fetus.
Here, we report the presence of chlormequat in urine samples collected from the United States population, with detection rates of 69%, 74%, and 90% for samples collected in 2017, 2018-2022, and 2023, respectively.
From 2017 to 2022, chlormequat was detected in samples at low concentrations, while from 2023 onwards, the concentration of chlormequat in samples increased significantly. We also observed a high frequency of detection of chlormequat in oat foods.
These findings and chlormequat toxicity data raise concerns about current exposure levels and require more extensive toxicity testing, food surveillance, and epidemiological studies to assess the effects of chlormequat exposure on human health. “
Data shows continued exposure
The researchers also highlighted that in individual urine samples collected from the United Kingdom and Sweden, chlormequat was found in nearly 100% of participants, with its frequency and concentration significantly exceeding that of chlorpyrifos, pyrethroids, thiabendazole and dysonin. Metabolites of manganese, zinc and other pesticides. This suggests that individuals may be ingesting higher amounts of chlormequat compared to the pesticides mentioned above.
In animal studies, this chemical has also been found in serum and milk. And, while human sampling has not yet been performed to determine whether chlormequat is present in human serum and breast milk, the authors emphasize that “chemicals associated with reproductive harm in serum and breast milk have important implications for exposure during pregnancy and in infants.”
The half-life of chlormequat in the body is approximately two to three hours, with most administered doses excreted within 24 hours. Therefore, detection of the chemical in 80% of urine samples indicates that most people are exposed to the chemical continuously throughout the day.
In terms of quantity, the concentration of chlormequat per gram of creatinine in the 2023 samples ranged from 0.27 μg to 52.8 μg of chlormequat, with a median of 1.4 μg.
High levels were also found in food samples
The researchers also sent 25 samples of conventional oats and 8 samples of organic oats and 9 samples of conventional wheat products for testing. All food samples were purchased at grocery stores in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area between June and August 2022 and February and May 2023.
Chlormequat content was detected in all but two of the 25 non-organic oat products. As the authors pointed out, the highest detection level reached 291 micrograms per kilogram, indicating the large presence of chlormequat in oats. An organic oat product also contained a small amount (17 micrograms), as did two wheat breads, containing 3.5 micrograms and 12.6 micrograms respectively. As noted in the featured study:15
“Whether levels of chlormequat in U.S. urine and food samples are likely to rise in the coming years remains to be determined. In the U.S., chlormequat is currently only allowed in imported oat and wheat products, but the EPA is currently reviewing domestic non- Agricultural uses of organic crops.
If this domestic use is approved, coupled with widespread foreign and domestic adoption of chlormequat agricultural practices, the levels of chlormequat in oats, wheat, and other grain foods may continue to increase, resulting in higher chlormequat exposure levels. high. Total population of the United States.
Current urinary chlormequat concentrations in this and other studies indicate that individual sample donors were exposed to chlormequat at levels that are both lower than the U.S. EPA published reference dose (RfD) (0.05 mg/kg body weight/day) and acceptable The daily dose is several orders of magnitude lower than the intake (ADI) value published by the European Food Safety Authority (0.04 mg/kg body weight/day).
However, we note that published toxicology studies of chlormequat suggest that a re-evaluation of these safety thresholds may be necessary. For example, mice and pigs exposed to doses lower than the current RfD and ADI (0.024 and 0.0023 mg/kg bw/day, respectively) showed reduced fertility.
In another toxicology study, exposure during pregnancy at doses equivalent to a no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 5 mg/kg (used to derive the U.S. EPA reference dose) resulted in changes in fetal growth and metabolism and body composition Change. Newborn mice.
Furthermore, regulatory thresholds do not take into account the adverse effects of chemical mixtures that may affect the reproductive system and have been shown to produce additive or synergistic effects at lower than single chemical exposure doses, raising concerns about the effects of chemical mixtures associated with concerns about potential health effects. Current exposure levels, particularly for individuals with higher exposure levels in the general population in Europe and the United States”
EWG opposes plan to expand use of chlormequat
In light of its findings, EWG strongly opposes the EPA’s proposal to allow the use of chlormequat on domestically grown oats, barley, wheat, and triticale.
Alexis M. Temkin, lead author of the EWG study, expressed concern about the widespread presence of chlormequat in food and urine samples, calling it “a wake-up call.” Temkin advocated for further investigation into the matter and urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to include chlormequat in its annual pesticide monitoring of grains.
“The Environmental Protection Agency needs to fully consider the potential risks to children’s health from chlormequat exposure and reconsider their recent decision to allow chlormequat in children’s foods,” Temkin told Newsweek.16
Other groups also expressed opposition, including the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG),number 17 The group collected more than 10,000 signatures calling on the agency to reject the proposal. In comments last year on the EPA proposal, PIRG wrote:18
“Studies show that chlormequat can disrupt fetal growth and damage the reproductive system. We should not allow its use on food crops unless it is proven to be completely safe – especially since we know we can farm without it…
The purpose of all these chemicals is to make the stems of the small particles stronger, thus making them less likely to bend or break. A slightly larger harvest is not worth risking our health. “
Oatmeal contains a metabolic poison: linoleic acid (LA)
Like most grains, except white rice, they contain linoleic acid (LA). Although the amount is small, about 1 gram per cup of oatmeal, it can add up over time. Ideally, your goal should be to keep LA intake under 2 grams per day, but certainly under 5 grams per day.
It is important to monitor total LA intake from all foods and decide which foods to eat to maintain LA levels within this range. Although oatmeal is more nutritious than white rice, the latter does not contain LA. Oatmeal does provide some minerals, although the amounts may vary depending on how they are grown, but they are still relatively small.
Choose organic oat products
In an interview with the New York Post,19 EWG Vice President of Scientific Investigations Olga Naidenko recommends that consumers choose organic oat products because they are grown without the use of harmful pesticides such as chlormequat and glyphosate.
To help you find the cleanest foods to eat, consider downloading EWG’s Healthy Living App. This resource provides reviews of more than 120,000 food and personal care items. Simply scan a product with your phone to get its rating.