VATIS UPDATE Article

According to a new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) crops, such as wheat and maize, are generating more potential toxins as a reaction to protect themselves from extreme weather. But these chemical compounds are harmful to people and animals if consumed for a prolonged period of time. “Crops are responding to drought conditions and increases in temperature just like humans do when faced with a stressful situation,” said Jacqueline McGlade, at UNEP.

Under normal conditions, for instance, plants convert nitrates they absorb into nutritious amino acids and proteins. But prolonged drought slows or prevents this conversion, leading to more potentially problematic nitrate accumulating in the plant, the report said. If people eat too much nitrate in their diets, it can interfere with the ability of red blood cells to transport oxygen in the body, the report said. Crops susceptible to accumulating too much nitrate in times of stress include maize, wheat, barley, soybeans, millet, and sorghum.

“Some drought-stressed crops, when then exposed to sudden large amounts of rain that lead to rapid growth, in turn accumulate hydrogen cyanide, more commonly known as prussic acid, the report said. Prussic acid, one of the ingredients used in some types of chemical warfare, interferes with oxygen flow in humans. Even short-term exposure can be debilitating for people,” said McGlade. Plants such as cassava, flax, maize, and sorghum are most vulnerable to dangerous prussic acid accumulation, the report said.