00:00 Chloroquine is known as a highly toxic agricultural chemical and is banned because studies have found it causes birth defects.
00:07 However, a new study has discovered that the chemical was present in four out of five urine samples taken from Americans.
00:13 A concerning find.
00:14 Chloroquine is a plant growth regulator or PGR acting similarly to plant hormones and it creates a sturdier plant.
00:22 The US is in the minority of countries who have banned the chemical.
00:25 Because while studies have found it does cause birth defects in animals, there has not been much research on its effects on humans.
00:31 While the chemical is banned from being used on plants grown for consumption in the US, there is not a ban on importing products which use it.
00:38 Even if those are for consumption.
00:40 And according to the recent study, chloroquine in urine samples is rising at an alarming rate.
00:45 Researchers found that in 2017, 69% of all of the samples had the plant growth regulator in them.
00:51 In 2023, that number was 90%.
00:54 Further investigation found chloroquine in 23 of the 25 oat products and in two of the nine wheat products tested.
01:01 With the researchers saying about it, quote,
01:03 "The ubiquity of this little studied plant growth regulator in people raises alarm bells about how it could potentially cause harm without anyone even knowing they've consumed it."
01:12 (gentle music)
01:15 [Music]
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