Israeli Vegetables Show Traces of Drugs and 'Forever Chemicals'
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
An Israeli Ministry of Health study found traces of the drug carbamazepine and "forever chemicals" (PFAS) in herbs and vegetables irrigated with treated wastewater. While detected levels are generally low and not considered dangerous for normal consumption, the ministry will continue monitoring. High PFAS concentrations were also found in an irrigation reservoir potentially linked to aircraft runway runoff. The ministry recommended advanced wastewater treatment, a measure not yet standard for irrigation globally.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israeli vegetables irrigated with treated wastewater contain traces of the drug carbamazepine and PFAS chemicals.
- The Ministry of Health study found carbamazepine in 68% of tested vegetable samples.
- PFAS chemicals, known as 'forever chemicals', were detected in 7% of samples exceeding European reference values.
- High PFAS levels were found in an irrigation reservoir possibly contaminated by aircraft runway runoff.
- The ministry recommended advanced wastewater treatment but noted it's not standard for irrigation.
- Current consumption levels of the affected vegetables are not considered dangerous, according to the ministry.
A study by the Israeli Ministry of Health's National Environmental Hygiene Service has found traces of a pharmaceutical drug and persistent chemicals in herbs and vegetables grown using treated wastewater. The vegetables tested included cilantro, parsley, celery, and chard, cultivated in fields irrigated with recycled sewage. This marks the first such comprehensive study conducted in Israel. While the detected levels are not considered immediately alarming, the Ministry of Health plans to continue monitoring the situation without imposing immediate sales restrictions on affected produce. Israel is a global leader in wastewater reuse, with approximately half of its agricultural irrigation water coming from treated sewage. However, some substances are not fully degraded during treatment and can transfer from the water to the crops.
The anti-epileptic drug carbamazepine was detected in 68% of 75 samples, ranging from 0.022 to 55.6 micrograms per kilogram. The highest concentration was found in cilantro from the Ta'anakh region, irrigated by water from the Kishon reservoir, which receives effluent from Haifa's treatment facilities. The ministry stated that health risks are unlikely with normal consumption, though prolonged, high-volume intake of vegetables with maximum drug concentrations could pose a risk, according to a 2022 study by the Hebrew University and the ministry.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment, were also found. These chemicals, used in products like non-stick cookware and food packaging, accumulate in soil, water, and the human body, and have been linked to various health issues including immune system and liver damage, and increased cancer risk. While Israel lacks specific regulatory limits for PFAS in vegetables, it follows European guidelines. Eight out of thirty PFAS compound groups were detected in at least one sample, with five samples (7%) exceeding European reference values. These five, found in chard, cilantro, celery, and parsley, were all from the Ta'anakh region, irrigated by Kishon reservoir water or sourced from local markets.
High concentrations of PFAS were also identified in the Alonim-Bet floodwater reservoir near the Jezreel Valley, likely originating from aircraft runway runoff. This water is used for irrigation, as Israel has no specific standards for irrigation water quality. In response, the Ministry of Health recommended that the Water Authority implement advanced fourth-stage wastewater treatment to remove micro-pollutants. This recommendation is currently under review, though such advanced treatment for irrigation water is not yet globally standard and is not expected to be mandated by the EU for about a decade.