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Unlike the United States, there are many chemicals being used that are harmful to the environment which are normally banned in this country. They are still legal however in the lesser developed countries which include those that grow coffee.

Edosulfan is one used against the coffee cherry borer, and it takes years to breakdown as it stays in soil and even water. It's toxic to birds, fish mammals and other life that when exposed or ingested will cause harm if not death.

These chemicals often affect the central nervous system as well as kidney and liver damage.
This chemical is actually doing more harm than the cherry borer it self. In Columbia alone over a 100 people have suffered damage from this chemical, and is said to have caused death to at least one human being so far.

Another dangerous chemical is Chlorpyrifos which is also used against the borer and leaf miner. This is a poison upon contact it causes death in humans, birth defects, extremely hazardous to birds, water foul, fish and other life that comes in contact with this chemical.

Disulfoton is another highly toxic chemical that affects wildlife that feed on the insects that consume some of the plants that have been treated.
Diazion is hazardous if inhaled, and is toxic as well too many forms of wildlife. We still use this in the U.S for controlling pests especially on turf grass, which in turn causes death to birds as a result of what they consume.

Other chemicals that all have the same threat to wildlife include Cypermethrin, Triadimefon which are extremely toxic especially to birds and fish. Since these chemicals cause such widespread threats to so many life forms, they are banned here in the U.S. for obvious reasons, whereas in these less-developed countries there are no guidelines for their use except to protect the coffee crops which of course is money.

Learn more about this author, Richard Serra.
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