This morning, Wikipedia truly failed us.

A friend just returned from Nicaragua, and told us about Nemagon, the carcinogenic pesticide used by multinational fruit corporations throughout Latin America, west Africa and the Philippines, starting in the late 60s. (Yet another way the banana industry has brought about abuse, torture and death.)

Today, a community of about 1000 people are living in tents and lean-tos across from the government offices in Managua, Nicaragua, asking for support from President Ortega's administration after many (ahem) fruitless years of legal battle for recognition and reparations against banana corporations like Del Monte and Dole. These companies have already paid various settlements (ranging between several million and $100, depending on the plaintiffs' lawyers) to Nemagon victims, but it hasn't been nearly enough; nearly 70% of Nicaraguan bananeros suffer serious health problems linked to the chemical, and 1/3 of women who worked on plantations are afflicted by breast or uterine cancer. Many, including those in the Managua settlement, have yet to be acknowledged, much less compensated.

For a chemical that's been the cornerstone of many a multi-million dollar lawsuit in the past three decades, has killed several thousand people and affected the health of tens of thousands more, and has been covered by major international media sources, the fact that it doesn't at least have a Wikipedia entry is, well, bananas. We guess that's evidence of a marked Lack Of Awareness. If you feel a wave of guilt after your next banana smoothie, try reading more on Nemagon. And sharing what you learn.

Photo: A woman mourns the death of her husband in Managua, who died of liver cancer caused by exposure to Nemagon; via Getty

Thanks Madeline!