death by chocolate and flowers?

So as some of you know I am off to Ecuador this summer to learn spanish and public health. One topic brought up in our class was the use of pesticides on Ecuadorian flowers.

Many of the pesticides used are strong irritants causing respiratory, dermatologic and neurological illness not to mention many are carcinogenic as well. The workers have very little protection against these substance nor does your local florist or you when you purchase them from the market.

Here are some articles discussing buying organic flowers as an alternative.
conscious choice
organic consumers

and a place online to buy as well
buy organic!!!

so next time you are out buying flowers think of my little Ecuadorian friends