The use of chlormequat chloride in grain crops is increasing in North America, potentially causing harm to fertility and fetuses even at doses below regulatory limits.
A recent study published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology revealed alarming findings regarding the widespread presence of chlormequat in the urine of 80% of Americans tested. Additionally, 92% of oat-based foods, including popular brands like Quaker Oats and Cheerios, were found to contain chlormequat.
Chlormequat, also known as chlormequat chloride, is a plant growth regulator used in grain crops to reduce stem height and prevent lodging during harvesting. Despite being the most common plant growth regulator worldwide, chlormequat is not approved for use on food crops in the United States.
In 2018, the EPA allowed chlormequat into the food supply by setting acceptable tolerance levels for imported oats, wheat, barley, and select animal products. This decision raised concerns about the potential health implications for consumers.
Studies have linked chlormequat to reproductive and developmental issues in animals, such as delayed puberty, reduced sperm motility, and decreased testosterone levels. Additionally, exposure to chlormequat during pregnancy has been shown to disrupt fetal growth and metabolism in rats.
While some studies have not found significant impacts on reproduction in certain animals, the overall findings suggest a need for further investigation into the potential health risks associated with chlormequat exposure in humans. According to a 2006 study in the International Journal of Andrology, reports from the industry do not show any effects at these low levels.
Aim of New Ground-Breaking Study
Considering the health concerns underscored in the scientific literature, the goal of the 2024 study was to assess the impact of the EPA’s decision to permit chlormequat in the United States food supply.
Study Design
The 2024 study assessed chlormequat levels in the urine of individuals from three distinct geographic regions in the United States spanning from 2017 to 2023. Specifically, 21 urine samples were gathered in South Carolina in 2017, 25 samples were collected in Missouri from 2017 to 2022, and 50 samples were obtained in Florida in 2023.
The study also examined chlormequat levels in oat and wheat-based products acquired in the United States during 2022 and 2023. Specifically, 25 conventional oat-based food items were analyzed during this period, along with eight organic oat-based products and nine conventional wheat-based food products.
Study Results
Urine Analysis
Chlormequat was detected in 80 percent (77 out of 96) of urine samples.
The authors noted a rising trend in chlormequat exposure over time, with detection frequencies notably elevated in 2023 samples compared to those from 2017 and the years 2018 to 2022. Specifically, in 2017, 69 percent of samples tested positive, while from 2018 to 2022, 74 percent were positive. In stark contrast, 90 percent of samples in 2023 were positive, representing a significant increase compared to all previous years examined.
According to the researchers, “These data indicate likely continuous exposure given the short half-life of chlormequat [2–3 hours].”
To assess whether the rising concentrations detected in the urine samples reflected potential dietary exposure to chlormequat, the researchers analyzed chlormequat levels in oat and wheat-based food products purchased in the United States.
Food Exposure Analysis
The results of the food analysis were equally concerning: a high percentage of conventional oat-based products tested positive for chlormequat, with popular brands like Quaker Oats and Cheerios among those affected.
Specifically, 92 percent (23 out of 25) of conventional oat-based products tested positive for the presence of chlormequat, indicating a high prevalence of chlormequat in oats, according to the study. This highlights the potential risk posed to consumers, particularly children, who may consume these products regularly.
Chlormequat was detected in 12.5 percent (one out of eight) of organic oat-based products tested. Additionally, 22 percent (two out of nine) of conventional wheat-based products tested positive for chlormequat.
Collectively, the urinary and food exposure data may reflect the likely recent introduction of chlormequat into the U.S. food supply due to EPA regulatory action changes involving chlormequat, including establishing a limit on chlormequat in food in 2018 and raising those limits for oats in 2020, according to the study.
Conclusion
This groundbreaking study sheds light on the possible widespread prevalence of chlormequat in the United States food supply, as documented in both urinary and food exposure analyses. The findings reveal a concerning trend of increasing chlormequat exposure over time, with detection frequencies spiking notably in recent years.
Chlormequat’s documented toxicological properties, particularly its association with reproductive and developmental issues, raise significant concerns about its long-term effects on human health. Moreover, there is currently no monitoring of chlormequat in food products in the United States, leaving consumers vulnerable to potential risks.
With the EPA’s proposed expansion of chlormequat usage on domestically grown crops, the study’s findings serve as a crucial call to action for greater transparency in pesticide usage and monitoring, as well as consumer awareness so we can work toward a food supply that safeguards the well-being of the individual.
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