Climate change increases toxins in food

Due to struggling to survive in extreme weather conditions, some food plants can produce many toxins harmful to humans and pets.

According to the report of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), high drought and temperature cause accumulation of potentially toxic components in plants - similar to when people suffer from stress.

The report identifies and proposes solutions to emerging issues in the context of climate change, including seasonal toxicity, animal-borne diseases and pollution caused by industrial plastics. .

Picture 1 of Climate change increases toxins in food
Food crops are deeply affected by climate change.(Source: Tech Times).

According to the report, wheat, barley, corn and millet are easy to accumulate nitrates , as a result of prolonged drought. In animals, acute nitrate poisoning can cause miscarriage, suffocation and even death. It can also ruin the lives and livelihoods of farmers and farmers.

Heavy rain after a prolonged drought can also lead to the accumulation of hydrogen cyanide or prussic acid in corn, rice, apple, cherry and some other crop species.

Aflatoxin toxins can also be produced during cereals fighting climate change. This fungus causes cancer in humans and interferes with fetal development.

Jacqueline McGlade, UNEP scientist, said about 4.5 billion people in developing countries are exposed to aflatoxin each year, although the actual number may be higher.

"According to a recent study, aflatoxin toxins are also considered a threat to food safety in Europe, especially in the context of increasing global temperatures," McGlade said.