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Chemical pesticides have dangers
Published Monday, October 8, 2007
A few years ago, a good friend of mine tried to explain to me the impact which pesticide chemical drift had had on her family. From the time that a “Big Ag” corporation had moved in next door, she and her family began developing a rash of ailments that extended from simple sore throats, drippy noses and swollen lymph nodes, to two of her babies being born with “rare” birth defects.
I sympathetically listened.
My experience since then has made me realize how valid my friends concerns were.
Exposure to chemical pesticides can occur either by water run-off, immediate air drift, or volitization (air drift that can occur several days and in some cases even weeks or months, past the initial application). It is important for us to realize that this extension of the adverse effects of pesticides beyond their original point and time of application is not only a threat to personal health and safety, but also constitutes a violation of property rights. Depending on variables in air and water movements, these effects can be experienced miles away.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is established here in our state to “regulate” the sale and use of pesticides. And it is this agency that we are told to call when said exposure occurs. So how is it that the Dept. of Ag. can refuse a request to test water and soil samples, submitted by a citizen of this state who claimed that she was being continually exposed to chemical pesticides?
And why does the burden of proof seem to rest on the citizen making the complaint?
We are all being exposed to chemicals through pesticide application of agricultural fields, ditches, many golf courses and parks.
We, the citizens, are told that these pesticides are completely harmless or that “the human body can withstand a certain amount of toxic chemical exposure.” (Quote from a conversation with a MN Dept. of Ag. field inspector.)
This brings me to ask: If these pesticides are completely harmless, if it is true that the human body can withstand a certain amount of toxic chemical exposure, then why are so many thousands of us ill during spraying season? And why are so many being diagnosed with Auto-immune diseases and cancers which truly were rare before all the “Big Ag” moved in?
Now I ask; what happens when we are exposed week after week, year after year? What is happening not only to our persons, but to the wildlife, honeybees, ponds, creeks, rivers and ground water?
There is scientific research data which points to pesticide chemical exposure being the cause of health complaints that range from allergy symptoms to death — including, but by no means limited to: headaches, nausea, conjunctivitis, cancers, infertility, miscarriage, birth defects, skin rashes, asthma, neurological and auto-immune diseases. The list goes on and on.
I think that it’s about time we all start asking these questions. Virtually everyone is concerned about the extent of illness within their family — such things as “weird” flu symptoms, colds and respiratory conditions extending throughout the whole year. We already know that everything from allergies to grave disease can manifest and linger if the immune system is compromised. We need further research to make a determination as to how much of this is due to pesticide chemicals. Many are concerned; but we all should be.
I am very excited that our MN House of Representatives, is taking this issue seriously. Led by a Dairy Farmer, Rep. Ken Tschumper of La Crescent, there will be a special Legislative hearing on Thursday, October 18 at 1 p.m., in Wadena. They are coming to listen to our concerns, meet our families and to see first hand the seriousness of conditions to which so many of us are being exposed on a continual basis.
In addition to our State Representatives who will be attending, there will also be health care professionals and speakers to discuss this pesticide issue that is plaguing MN residents.
Several points will be covered, including a two-year air sampling study, water contamination, disappearing bee population, chronic health complaints, and upcoming legislation.
This is an extremely unique opportunity for all of us to visit with our State Representatives and other specialists on our own turf. I am encouraging everyone to attend this landmark meeting.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by springpondbver (anonymous) on October 8, 2007 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How to kill pests without killing yourself or the earth......
There are about 50 to 60 million insect species on earth - we have named only about 1 million and there are only about 1 thousand pest species - already over 50% of these thousand pests are already resistant to our volatile, dangerous, synthetic pesticide POISONS. We accidentally lose about 25,000 to 100,000 species of insects, plants and animals every year due to "man's footprint". But, after poisoning the entire world and contaminating every living thing for over 60 years with these dangerous and ineffective pesticide POISONS we have not even controlled much less eliminated even one pest species and every year we use/misuse more and more pesticide POISONS to try to "keep up"! Even with all of this expensive pollution - we lose more and more crops and lives to these thousand pests every year.
We are losing the war against these thousand pests mainly because we insist on using only synthetic pesticide POISONS and fertilizers There has been a severe "knowledge drought" - a worldwide decline in agricultural R&D, especially in production research and safe, more effective pest control since the advent of synthetic pesticide POISONS and fertilizers. Today we are like lemmings running to the sea insisting that is the "right way". The greatest challenge facing humanity this century is the necessity for us to double our global food production with less land, less water, less nutrients, less science, frequent droughts, more and more contamination and ever-increasing pest damage.
National Poison Prevention Week, March 18-24,2007 was created to highlight the dangers of poisoning and how to prevent it. One study shows that about 70,000 children in the USA were involved in common household pesticide-related (acute) poisonings or exposures in 2004. At least two peer-reviewed studies have described associations between autism rates and pesticides (D'Amelio et al 2005; Roberts EM et al 2007 in EHP). It is estimated that 300,000 farm workers suffer acute pesticide poisoning each year in the United States - No one is checking chronic contamination.
In order to try to help "stem the tide", I have just finished re-writing my IPM encyclopedia entitled: THE BEST CONTROL II, that contains over 2,800 safe and far more effective alternatives to pesticide POISONS. This latest copyrighted work is about 1,800 pages in length and is now being updated at my new website at http://www.stephentvedten.com/ .
This new website at http://www.stephentvedten.com/ has been basically updated; all we have left to update is Chapter 39 and to renumber the pages. All of these copyrighted items are free for you to read and/or download. There is simply no need to POISON yourself or your family or to have any pest problems.
Stephen L. Tvedten
2530 Hayes Street
Marne, Michigan 49435
1-616-677-1261
"An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come." --Victor Hugo
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on October 9, 2007 at 8:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Quote "It is estimated that 300,000 farm workers suffer acute pesticide poisoning each year in the United States - No one is checking chronic contamination."
I for one, think that pesticides are far worse than 2nd hand smoke, How about a ban on these chemicals.
(NO, I don't smoke)
Posted by brekkeair (anonymous) on October 30, 2007 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have been directly involved with farm pesticides for almost 30 years as a commercial custom applicator. I have been in direct contact with the undiluted form of over 100 of these pesticides every year for the last 30 years. I have never been in the hospital or seen a doctor for any reason in all these years. I have never had a flu shot in my life and have not had any form of the flu or even a cold for the last 4 years. I have to pass a 2nd Class medical exam once a year for the FAA to keep my Commercial Pilots license current. I personally know several commercial pesticide applicators in the state who also say they have no health problems. The only people I have ever personally known that had childeren with birth defects where not involved with any form of farm pescides, they lived in the cities and and had city jobs. I had two cousins who lived in the inner city in Minneapolis.Minn. who both got cancer and died when they were young, one at 38 yrs of age and one at 53 years of age. There was no possible way they could have been exposed to any direct or indirect pesticides. I think all people have genes that are week to any one of several toxins. Who is to say you aren't getting sick from your fabric softener or your tooth paste or your shampoo or any one of a million things we are in contact with each and every day. If you dont't want to be subjected to any chemicals in this world you will have to distance yourself from civilization and go live in a cave in a mountain and live off the land. I seen a statistic today that the death rate in the top 10 largest cities in the nation was 20% higher than the national average. Everybody thinks they have to put blame on everything that happens to them in life. Who do you blame when you get a flat tire on your car? Anonimous
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