Amid the lush, green landscapes of Costa Rica, banana plantations thrive — but with a hidden cost. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, banned in the European Union, are still sprayed on bananas destined for supermarket shelves around the world. These chemicals are used to control pests and fungal diseases on the bananas, but also take a toll on local workers and researchers who spend time in the banana fields. From skin rashes to other long-lasting environmental impacts, follow along with filmmaker Beatrice Bashibyukyan as she meets with farmers and scientists to uncover how pesticide use impacts insects, bird life, human health, and other aspects of Costa Rican life. In the end, the documentary asks, does the power of change lie in the hands of the plantation owners, or in the individuals who consume?
Beatrice Bashibyukyan is a student in the Reynolds School of Journalism. She completed this documentary as part of the Travel Reporting Course with the Hitchcock Project and Noticeiro Movil during spring of 2025.
