This week’s list of “to do’s” has a new item: help fight against the aerial pesticide spray program scheduled to launch in August in San Francisco. This may sound like a curious task as I do in fact live smack in the center of a very urban environment. We have no crops growing in our City. We have almost a million people in residence, many of them children. So why are we facing an unprecedented federally mandated pesticide shower to eradicate the light brown apple moth?
Why indeed? This question has spurred reaction from environmental activists, legislative leaders, concerned citizens and even dubious agriculture representatives. The debate is on as to the effectiveness of a ubiquitous spraying program versus targeted and controlled pest management options. Families are outraged, some even considering a move from San Francisco. Educators are reviewing possible costs of clean-up as they will be responsible to maintain the safety of their schools after each chemical bath. Lawmakers are introducing Bills from Monterey to Marin to halt the effort. Scientists are frantically studying the potential health impact that the moth pheromones and their delivery agents may impart on human as well as plant and animal life.
Already, after three Checkmate drops over Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties in September, October and November 2007, more than 640 cases of adverse reactions have been documented. These complaints range from headaches, coughing and nausea to an extraordinary resumption of menstrual cycles after menopause. Wait a minute, what was that? Yes, the Checkmate formula, delivered in microcapsule shells, is believed to be a potential endocrine disruptor, which means that the synthetic chemicals of this concoction may interfere with the regular performance of the endocrine systems of humans as well as wildlife. Therefore issues like infertility, breast cancer, male sexual development, early puberty and yes, resumption of menstrual cycles, all become relevant worries when considering what our San Francisco residents may face as a result of this program.
It also means that the same family of chemicals we now seek to avoid in our household cleaners, shampoos and cosmetics may soon coat our driveways, windows and playgrounds beginning in August. And it is worth noting that the particle size of this spray (which has been documented to be as small as 10 microns), can travel deep into our lungs and aggravate them to induce coughing, difficulty breathing and yes, asthma. Do we not already have enough pollution in the air choking our children? Why would we ever agree to increasing their vulnerability to airborne hazards?
If this were a one-time event, I would be concerned, but perhaps not panicked. However, the frequency of the Checkmate rain is scheduled to occur monthly, beginning in August 2008, and carry on indefinitely. Yes, indefinitely.
How can this be? My very pedestrian guess is that because the effort is federally mandated, blessed by Homeland Security, we are the not-so-grateful recipients of yet another astoundingly ill-conceived and irresponsible act by one of our nation’s least environmentally sensitive Presidents in history. Big Ag is collecting on some campaign contributions and their lobbyists have worked very hard to launch this program before he departs from office, at last. With a federal approach, our local legislators are slightly hand-tied and less powerful to fight against the program. But that’s just one girl’s opinion….
So that is where we come in, as parents, business leaders and citizens. We need to become educated on the details of this proposed spray campaign. We need to understand that while some researchers (probably on the government’s payroll) declare that the synthetic moth pheromones are not hazardous to human health, the “inert” ingredients that complete the cocktail may be what we should fear most. These products are NOT registered with the EPA’s Office of Pesticides for residential use. These chemicals have NOT been tested on humans. We don’t know what they will do to us, or the fish whose water they will dissolve in and the animals whose skin they will coat.
We do know that Checkmate may help eradicate the Light Brown Apple Moth. But at what cost? Last time I checked, San Francisco, Mill Valley, Tiburon, Piedmont, Berkeley and Oakland are not agricultural hot spots. I emphatically urge you to spend some time reading about this issue, form an opinion and participate in the outcome of this story. We are THE FIRST urban community to face such a program. How opportune that San Francisco has the opportunity to show our fellow Americans that we need not be further victimized by loose safety requirements that allow chemical rain to fall on innocent urban and suburban communities.
You are welcome to attend a session several concerned San Francisco residents including myself have organized on Thursday, April 24th at Town School (2750 Jackson Street at Scott) at 6:15, which will feature the expert opinions of scientists, legislators and environmental experts about how this program may impact the health and safety of our schools, our children and our community.
I recommend that you download the attached article below, Marin Pesticide Spraying Health Hazard Alert, written by Dr. Lawrence Rose, M.D., M.P.H, for his medical perspective on the matter. It should inspire you to take action!
Please log on to www.lbamspray.com to read more about this controversial proposal. Don't stop there! Call the Governor’s office at 916-445-2841 to ask them what he's doing to address voters' concerns. Write to our legislators in support of the Bills to STOP THE SPRAY. There is a great Web resource that has done the legwork for you, http://www.playnotspray.com/take-action.php#write-letters. Fire off some email petition signatures. I have already done ALL of these things and they were simple acts I could weave into my daily list of tasks. Please protect yourself and your community by making your voice heard!
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