SECTION 8:

HAWKESBURY VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL

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NEWS FLASH:  WINDSOR COUNTRY GOLF CLUB WARNED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE OVER SPRAYING AT THE BACK OF RESIDENCES IN MCQUADE AVENUE, SOUTH WINDSOR!  CLICK HERE.

NOTE IN TERMS OF ORGANOPHOSPHATE (OP) PESTICIDES:

"OPs can persist in the environment for long periods of time.  Indeed, OPs are detected in soils years after application...  conditions can occur in soil where OPs are preserved and transferred to humans through food.  A review of the literature shows that OPs are highly toxic and that human exposure is undesirable.  Evidence suggests that OPs are mutagenic and teratogenic and that a large number of modern-day diseases of the nervous and immune system of mammals can be linked to these pesticides.  These include BSE (mad cows disease), CJD, Gulf War syndrome, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, arguing for a thorough examination of the environmental fate and toxicology of OPs as well as their use" (http://jgs.geoscienceworld.org/)

K. VALA RAGNARSDOTTIR, Environmental fate and toxicology of organophosphate pesticides, Journal of the Geological Society; July 2000;

v. 157; no. 4; p. 859-876
© 2000, Geological Society of London, accessed: 23 June 2009.

 

I am a father trying to protect my child from POISONING!

 

In this section I focus on the use of Roundup (or Glyphosate, an organophosphate or "OP" pesticide) and other herbicides within the Hawkesbury City Council area, as well as other environmental issues of public concern.  I have re-created letters I've sent out, with minor alterations, headings and other incidental features added in for this format.

 

	(Graphics: M. Thompson)
YOUR KIDS RETURNING TO SCHOOL!			THE SPRAYING CONTINUES WHERE OUR KIDS PLAY
WEEDICIDE SOLUTION	WINDSOR POLICE SUPPORT! CLICK HERE.	PESTICIDE LEAKAGE	PESTICIDE SPRAYED IN WINDSOR MALL ON BREEZY DAY!
Wentworth Area Community Housing (WACH): ASBESTOS & PESTICIDE	Someone hacked my poisonedpeople.com website and attempted to take it out!

 

 

 

LETTER #1: TO LOCAL GOLF CLUB &

COUNCIL OVER SPRAYING OF

ROUNDUP, & TOXIC EFFECTS

 

Murray Thompson

PO BOX 5761

South Windsor LPO

NSW 2756

Monday, May 23, 2005

 

Note: extra notes in green font have been added to this document since it was mailed to a variety of organizations in the Windsor and wider Sydney area.  I mailed this letter to doctors, environmental activists, MPs and a High School.  Names of some people have been omitted.

 

CC. Ms. Carolyn McDonagh, Safety Officer, Richmond High School

General Manager, Hawkesbury City Council

Mr. Steven Pringle MP, State Member for Hawkesbury

Councilor Leigh Williams, Hawkesbury Council

Drs. Nagwa Morris & Louise Arnold, South Windsor Medical Practice

Lee Rhiannon, MLC, The Greens, Parliament of New South Wales

Sylvia Hale, MLC, The Greens, Parliament of New South Wales

Dr Frances Parker, Senior Lecturer, University of Western Sydney

Diana Buckland, Founder & Global Coordinator, Global Campaign for Recognition of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (http://www.mcs-global.org/)

 

SUBJECT:  CHILD POISONING FROM WEEDICIDES AND PESTICIDES

 

Dear ..., and others:

 

My name is Murray Thompson and I am a resident of Bligh Park.  I have an Applied Science Degree in Environmental Health (UWS Hawkesbury, 1998), Hons I in Social Ecology, and am currently pursuing a PhD in Sociology [with considerable difficulty due to having been poisoned with pesticide].  My PhD examines the toxicity of pesticides, herbicides and many other chemical technologies, among a very broad selection of related technological and philosophical issues.

 

 

TOXIC ROUNDUP USED ALONG THE BACK OF FAMILY RESIDENCES!

 

I have a number of extremely important and related local environmental issues to raise with the Golf Club, Council, and the public education system in general.  They are:

• The extensive use of herbicides along the east perimeter fence of the Golf Club, specifically behind the houses of McQuade Avenue...  [I] have noticed a strip of dead grass and Bidens Pilosa (“Farmer’s Friend” / “Pitchforks”) in a gap between the common back (west facing) fence of the west situated houses on McQuade Av. and the eastern perimeter fence of the Golf Club.  The gap is approx. 1.2 m and runs for a few hundred metres mostly at the back of houses numbered 1-49 (odd numbers).

• Please observe the 2 photos below.  They clearly indicate that a herbicide/weedicide, such as Roundup, has been liberally sprayed up against the porous wood paling back fences of McQuade Avenue residences.  [Some of the weeds were at least 1 metre high when sprayed.  Therefore, the nozzle for the weedicide applicator must have been aimed directly at the back fence palings, thus allowing for weedicide to directly contact and infiltrate via gaps between the palings into the residents’ backyards.  This means that a toxic weedicide mist (in other words, a nerve agent), and the accompanying vapours from a likely persistent weedicide, entered private backyard spaces and properties without the knowledge or consent of homeowners or renters.]  This has been done, to my knowledge, without any general health warnings [or notifications ]being given.  Weedicides and pesticides are toxic nerve agents, and their use so close to human habitation comprises a significant danger to public health.  The target organ for pesticides is the brain (Donohoe, Dr. M. 2001, pers. comm.).

Spray Results Along East Perimeter Fence at Back of McQuade Av. Houses

 

Figures 1 (above, looking south-west) & 2 (below, looking north) 

Evidence of Toxic Herbicide Sprayed Along and Through

the East Perimeter Fence of the Golf Club (Image source: M. Thompson, May 2005)

 

 

What Do You Do For Money

If You've Been Poisoned

and You Can't Work a

Regular Job?  (internetmarketing skills required)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 SMOKING BANNED NEAR KIDDIES PLAYGROUNDS, BUT NOT PESTICIDE!

WHAT!!??

• The extensive use of herbicides throughout the Council’s sphere of influence.  I especially draw your attention to the contradictory use of extremely toxic herbicides around the perimeters of children’s playgrounds, where strangely, only smoking near the play equipment is banned.  I do thank the Council for (apparently) responding to one previous letter sent by myself wherein spraying was exchanged for mowing in the laneway between my unit in Sirius Road and the Leagues Club in Bligh Park, though I am disappointed that the Council did not reply to my letter of Sunday August 5th, 2001 which stated that the Leagues Club had allowed a young boy to soak his jeans and joggers in weedicide while spraying the main entrance to the Club.  His jeans were in all likelihood later washed in the family washing machine, thus cross contaminating his entire family (a Pestkill technician agreed with this assessment).  And, this would also be a general problem with children transporting herbicide residue home.  Note the following photos:

 

 

Figures 3 (above) & 4  (below) Toxic Herbicide Sprayed at the Bradley Road Childrens’

Playground in Sth Windsor (Source: M. Thompson, 2005)

 

[Earn from home!]

 

 

 

Note:  The padded base technology around playgrounds is inadequate if the only

way that weeds can be controlled at the edge is by applying chemicals that create a contaminated site.

 

 

Figures 5 (above) Toxic Herbicide Sprayed at the Childrens’ Playground in

Sth Windsor, & 6  (below)  Signage to Protect Children From Smoking Only

(Source: M. Thompson, 2005)

 

 

What a ludicrous statement and contradiction: “TO SAFEGUARD OUR CHILDREN’S HEALTH”.  Chemicals which are extremely persistent and toxic are permitted, while cigarette smoke, which is transient by nature outdoors, is banned!  In effect, the Council is providing a range of permanently contaminated sites for children and families to frequent!  No “safeguarding” here.

 

UNTHINKABLE RISK - WHO'S MINDING YOUR KIDS?

What we are witnessing here is a failure of perception.  It is a failure to grasp the significance of the toxic technologies we are employing throughout our everyday lives.  But once we realize that pesticides, weedicides and herbicides are TOXIC NERVE AGENTS and that our children are 6 TIMES MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO POISONING THAN ADULTS, we then progress to a failure of will.  What we see worldwide is a failure to confront those who manufacture, advertize and distribute these toxins.  WE ARE GIVING OUR CHILDREN TO THE MONSANTO'S OF THE WORLD WHO WANT TO SELL POISON AND MAKE MONEY, AT THE EXPENSE OF THE NEXT GENERATION AND THE FUTURE OF THIS ENTIRE PLANET!

 

I have enclosed with this letter the NCAP report entitled, Unthinkable Risk: How Children are Exposed and Harmed When Pesticides are Used at School (NCAP 2000), in order to provide all parties concerned with some pertinent information on the nature of chemical poisoning in children.

 

 

 

VIEW THE HAWKESBURY COUNCIL'S REPLY TO THIS LETTER AS A PDF FILE

View My Reply To The Above Council Letter as a PDF File

To view and save this letter as an Adobe PDF file, click HERE.

 

 

TOXICOLOGICAL DATA FOR PESTICIDES

 

The following toxicological data are relevant to the use of both herbicides and pesticides near homes, in school grounds and around children’s play areas.

 

In reviewing environmental health literature from the US on herbicides in general, and the herbicide Roundup (or glyphosate) more specifically, I note voluminous references to considerable levels of toxicity, and many instances of student and teacher injury (and even student deaths in relation to pesticides commonly used by schools – see the NCAP booklet for those details).

 

 

In point form (re herbicides commonly used on school grounds):

• There are many reasons why herbicide use poses unacceptable risks to human health, especially in these settings.  For example, looking at six commonly used landscape herbicides¹, two cause cancer in laboratory tests², two cause fetal death in laboratory tests3,4 one is associated with an increased rate of miscarriages and premature births in farm families5 and the sixth is associated with an increased risk of cancer (non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) in lawn care applicators6 (NCAP 1999:3).

• Oryzalin (active ingredient of Surflan) is persistent and carcinogenic (NCAP 2000:2, referencing US EPA 1994).

• Dichlobenil (active ingredient of Casoron) is persistent, causes cancer in animals and is classified by EPA as a possible human carcinogen (NCAP 2000:2, referencing US EPA 1999:1)

• Glyphosate has been described as “extremely persistent” (NCAP 2000:2, referencing US EPA 1993-2), even though it has been promoted as an environmentally friendly herbicide that rapidly breaks down.  However, tests show that glyphosate may persist for 3 years (NCAP 2000:2, referencing Torstensson et al. 1989), while its metabolite, AMPA, may persist even longer (Buffin & Jewell 2001).  Glyphosate has been shown to cause genetic mutations in human, animal and plant cell tests (NCAP 2000:2, referencing Vigfusson 1980; Kale et al. 1995; Rank et al. 1993).

• Glyphosate has been associated with a number of health and ecological problems (Cox 1993:4)… the surfactants added to glyphosate are acutely toxic to humans and aquatic animals, can cause damage to the digestive system and lungs, and may be the cause of death in exposed humans (Cox 1993:4, referencing Sawada, et al. 1988; and Talbot 1991).

• Glyphosate ingestion has affected the pituitary gland and kidneys, and caused abnormal bone development and decreased birth weights in laboratory animals (Cox 1993:4, referencing US EPA 1986).

• And, though the US EPA classified glyphosate as Group E, Evidence of Noncarcinogenicity in Humans, Monsanto’s own data submitted to EPA in support of this classification showed otherwise, note:

  • increase in pancreatic tumors at 2 doses in female rats;

  • significant increase in liver tumors with increasing dose;

  • significant increase in thyroid tumors with increased dose in female rats (Cox 1993:4, referencing Dykstra & Ghali 1991).

• A significant problem exists with regard to herbicide and pesticide poisoning:

  • pesticide poisoning is extremely problematic because mild to moderate pesticide poisoning symptoms can be easily misdiagnosed as stomach-flu, bronchitis or asthma (Reeves, Schafer, Hallward & Katten 1999:17)

 

What Do You Do For Money

If You've Been Poisoned

and You Can't Work a

Regular Job? (internet

marketing skills required)

 

 

 

COMMON ILLNESSES CAN BE LINKED TO CHEMICALS

 

My concern here is that some outbreaks of ‘flu’ and other symptoms in the community and at local schools can be directly attributed to the spraying or baiting of chemicals, and are not simply issues of the regular childhood contagions we expect to see every year.  Blood and urine tests can confirm liver damage, and the presence or absence of some toxins.  Increased ALT (Alanine aminotransferase) in the blood can confirm liver damage due to pesticide activity, and for the first time in Australia a urine test is now available at Flinders University to detect the presence of Bifenthrin, the active ingredient in some synthetic pyrethroid termiticides.  These tests are a valuable medical avenue through which a poisoning issue can be clarified.  Note:

Even severe pesticide poisoning in infants has been misdiagnosed as aneurysm, head trauma, diabetic acidosis, severe bacterial gastroenteritis, pneumonia and whooping cough (Reeves, Schafer, Hallward & Katten 1999:17, citing Solomon & Mott 1998; Zweinerd & Ginsburg 1988).

 

VIEW THE HAWKESBURY COUNCIL'S REPLY TO THIS LETTER AS A PDF FILE

View My Reply To The Above Council Letter as a PDF File

To view and save this letter as an Adobe PDF file, click HERE.

 

We must then ask if the extensive herbicide spraying being performed by Council throughout this region is not responsible for many hundreds of poisonings assumed, in error, to be common infections or gastric upsets.  This information should set precedents of alarm and caution within relevant authorities charged with prosecuting a Duty of Care with regard to their many responsibilities.  Advertising and blood tests, or an extensive epidemiological study, could ferret out true cause and effect in terms of the difficult tracking of exposure to chemicals and subsequent illness.

 

 

KIDDIES' SUSCEPTIBILITY TO POISONING

 

Children (and this particularly applies to the families along McQuade Av. and the kiddies that frequent the Council’s playgrounds) are much more susceptible to poisoning than adults for a number of reasons:

• They inhale a greater volume of air in relation to their body weight than adults, and so receive a larger dose (NCAP 2000:12, referencing NRC 1993).

• They have a greater skin surface area proportional to body mass.  This means that equivalent exposures in an adult and child results in a greater dose for the child (NCAP 2000:13, referencing NRC 1993). 

• They play nearest the sites of application (NCAP 2000:12) and, in fact, crawl, wrestle and mouth the ground, grass and playground equipment that has become contaminated.

• Many actual incidents show that children can inhale toxic doses of insecticides or herbicides from applications made at or near schools…  Nine students and seven staff members at an Ohio school experienced dizziness and difficulty breathing and were treated at local hospitals after breathing fumes of an herbicide that seeped into the building following application to the grounds outside (See Appendix A, Other States incident #5)  (NCAP 2000:12).

[EARN FROM HOME!]

 

In terms of external chemical application and osmosis, the concentration of chemical vapour inside a residence can, over a short period of time, actually exceed the concentration of the chemical vapour outside.

• Children display hand-to-mouth behavior (NCAP 2000:14, referencing Nishioka, 1996).

• Children’s nervous systems are more susceptible to the impact of nerve poisons.  Further, human case studies show that exposure to nerve poisons during infancy can lead to severe impairment of motor and mental development.  Other studies show that even low dose exposures to some pesticides can affect neurodevelopment and growth in developing animals.  According to the National Research Council, “the data strongly suggest that exposure to neurotoxic [i.e., nerve poisoning] compounds at levels believed to be safe for adults could result in permanent loss of brain function if it occurred during the prenatal or early childhood period of development” (NCAP 2000:3-4, referencing NRC 1993; Watanabe 1990; Ecobichon, 1990; Eskenazi, 1999).

I have to ask if the Golf Club will consider this information in the future should it still retain the unilateral freedom to impose chemical substances on the residences of families with babies and young children.

• Children cannot effectively detoxify certain chemicals (compared to adults) and so are much more vulnerable to poisoning (NCAP 2000:4, referencing NRC 1993).

• The dividing cells in children’s bodies are more susceptible to the impact of cancer-causing chemicals (NCAP 2000:4, referencing NRC 1993).

• Their immune systems, being underdeveloped, are more prone to damage from exposure to foreign compounds (NCAP 2000:4, referencing Repetto & Baliga 1996; NRC 1993).

The above information demonstrates clearly that Roundup or glyphosate herbicide, and pesticides are extremely toxic, and with consequences that cannot be measured in terms of social impact and future trauma.  This well researched and catalogued American data alone warrants a careful review of all pesticides and herbicides used in Australian schools, and anywhere near residential areas, such as along McQuade Avenue, at children’s playgrounds, and at the Pugh’s Lagoon B-B-Q area in Richmond.

 

  Figures 7 & 8  Sprayed Posts & Shelter at Pugh’s Lagoon, Richmond

(Source: M. Thompson)

 

 

 

 

MY SON & I INJURED BY CHEMICALS

 

My son and I were seriously poisoned at my Dept. of Housing Bligh Park residence in December 2000 when a termiticide treatment was forced upon us, even when it was known well beforehand that I was chemical sensitive.  I am now considerably injured and physically impaired as a result of this negligence.  My son fared a little better than me.

 

I am now taking assertive legal action against my landlord.  This may escalate into a class action when details of my case become better known once my matter goes to trial.  My case may set precedents in terms of more clearly defining Duty of Care for the Dept. of Housing, and other governmental agencies and business concerns, declaring the essential need for medical/health protocols to be standardized and situated explicitly for the benefit of authorities and contractors (eg pest technicians) and their equitable (not dominating or abusive) relationship with home owners and renters (setting forth the rights of residents in terms of chemical trespass), and appropriately addressing this burgeoning problem as a public health issue of monumental proportions.

 

VIEW THE HAWKESBURY COUNCIL'S REPLY TO THIS LETTER AS A PDF FILE

View My Reply To The Above Council Letter as a PDF File

To view and save this letter as an Adobe PDF file, click HERE.

 

I consider it my duty to advise all parties who bear a substantial responsibility in terms of, especially, child safety/health, that an open dialogue on this matter is essential, even long overdue.  If this does not take place, then I would be exceedingly remiss in not making this information generally available to the public.  I recognize that there may be concerns over potential litigation, however the time has come to stop the sacrifice of young lives in favour of maintaining a deadly silence that benefits pesticide sales and the easy status quo of simplistic but deadly chemical fixes.  Should future poisonings occur that can be linked to pesticides (which term includes all weedicides), or should past poisonings be rationalized in the light of the disclosure of this and other information; and should this enlightenment occur in the shadow of corporate or bureaucratic silence, the consequences could indeed be frightening.

 

 

CHEMICAL CAUSE & EFFECT, AND LITIGATION

 

Once the above information is circulated via my case and media exposure, many hundreds of families will become aware of the toxicity of these commonly used chemicals.  Families bordering the Golf Club, and residents within the Council’s domain, eg near the Railway Station where herbicide spraying occurs regularly, may then suddenly recognize cause and effect, and the pathway of exposure that has generated the symptoms they may have experienced.  Therefore, a great deal of future injury and potential litigation could be avoided if alternative and safer methods of weed and pest management were immediately put into effect.  I say immediately because the cessation of all overt spraying now would go a long way toward minimizing obvious injury (that can be verified through neurological and liver/blood/urine tests) that may become apparent at the time of my trial.  A synergy of overt chemical injury and broad media exposure would be calculated to bring about the most outrage and litigation.

 

At this point I am going to demand that the Golf Club immediately desist from spraying the east perimeter of its property where chemical trespass occurs outside the Club’s wire fence and crosses into the backyards of the adjacent properties of South Windsor families.  Children play at their back fences precisely where the weedicide has been sprayed.  Should my request not be met, I will have no alternative but to also sue the Club for further endangering my son’s health.

 

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When could the Council reasonably expect to be able to address the issue of herbicide and pesticide spraying at our schools and around playgrounds?  I ask “when”, precisely because my previous letter to Council on this matter was ignored (it was not answered).  I suggest an expert panel be created to advise Council on strategies that minimize chemical spraying.

 

Please note point 6 on page 25 of the NCAP document, Unthinkable Risk… [get this document here: http://www.pesticide.org/UnthinkableRisk.html or as a pdf file here: www.pesticide.org/Title&Contents.pdf].  I request herein that my child’s school notify me in advance of any spraying or baiting.  I will keep my child home during, and for at least 2 weeks after, such application (http://archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/children/03/02/school.grass.wmd/index.html).

 

[This, the High School has graciously done.  They have answered my letters/queries and told me when carpet cleaning was being done at the school, and suggested (rightly) that I keep my child home on the Monday following the weekend treatment.  I am very pleased with the school's responsible response.  The Principal also notified me that he was passing my letter and other Internet printouts included with the letter I sent him to the Dept. of Education's Occupational Health & Safety officials.]

 

I would also require a map of the spray locations so that I can warn my son to avoid them.  Obviously I cannot take a risk with my son’s health given his chemical injuries, and I would be a negligent parent if I did so in consideration of the research available.  I would also strongly encourage that the school immediately investigate alternative means of weed and other pest control (http://www.toolsforhealthyschools.org/).

 

Imagine what benefits would be gained by teaching this new generation that there are plant species that maintain natural insect-repellant properties (http://www.cdli.ca/sciencefairs/cwsf2001/summary4.html; http://altnature.com/library/repelling_insects.htm), and that they can safeguard their children against the devastating impact of synthetic pyrethroid termiticide compounds by using safer, alternative products to protect their homes (http://www.thebestcontrol.com/).

 

 

IMAGINE HOW MUCH SMARTER...

 

Imagine how much smarter our kids would be if we stopped exposing them to pesticides?  Note:

Four to five year olds that were exposed to “registered” pesticide poisons:

- could not remember what they were told 30 minutes later,

- had less stamina,

- had decreased fine eye/hand coordination,

- could not draw a stick figure, they could only scribble

- had many disruptive behavior problems, particularly aggression (Tvedten 1999, 2002:2).

 

VIEW THE HAWKESBURY COUNCIL'S REPLY TO THIS LETTER AS A PDF FILE

View My Reply To The Above Council Letter as a PDF File

To view and save this letter as an Adobe PDF file, click HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR IN TEENS!

 

Chemical pollution (including: industrial and urban air pollution, herbicide/pesticide use, narcotic abuse, and prescription/non-prescription drug abuse) is a major contributing factor to aggressive behaviour in developed nations (http://www.vegsource.com/parent/whats_with_kids.htm, -- this article entitled, Are Today’s Teens More Toxic, by Dr. J. Robert Hatherill, can be purchased from the Chicago Tribune: http://www.chicagotribune.com/).  One should also consider the now firm links between pesticides and aggressive behaviour in schools leading to shootings (http://www.cnn.com/NATURE/9908/09/pesticides.enn/index.html; http://www.ia.ucsb.edu/pa/print.aspx?pkey=328).  Simply put, “pesticides decrease mental ability and increase aggressiveness…  Rather than directing all our attention to bitter debates on gun control and the violence in the entertainment industry, let's also consider the pressing need for a cleaner environment and more nutritious food” (Hatherill 1999:19).

 

 

THE BEST PEST CONTROL

 

At the very least, a substantial reduction in chemical usage should be considered an emergency priority, and worthy of the precious cargo the school carries Monday to Friday (http://www.ahrp.org/infomail/04/05/08.php).  If, indeed, “all students can maximize their potential… in a safe, stable educational environment” (Hawkesbury Independent 2005:3), then pesticides and weedicides will be quickly eliminated, and Aeroguard will not be used to clean classroom whiteboards.  The book, The Best Control II (Tvedten 1998, 2002), can be easily purchased (either as hardcopy or CD – comprising 1700 pages and 36 years worth of professional pest control research and experience) from: http://www.safesolutionsinc.com/resources.htm.

 

The Foreword from the book reads:

Synthetic pesticides are the single largest class of toxic chemicals to which the total population worldwide is exposed.  While their predominant use is in large-scale industrialized agriculture, other major applications include urban spraying, uses in offices, schools, golf courses, and the home lawn and garden.  Such uses result in pervasive environmental contamination of air, water, and food, high-level exposure of agricultural workers, and direct domestic exposures.

There is overwhelming scientific documentation on the adverse public health impact of such exposures. These include carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and endocrine disruptive or hormonal effects.  Yet the public remains largely uninformed of these largely unregulated toxic exposures, tantamount to chemical warfare.  This reckless, if not criminal, conduct of the pesticide industry is trivialized by its PR assurances of safety, besides by those of industry scientists, and indentured academics.   These assurances are coupled with the insistence that large scale uses of synthetic pesticides is essential to maintain food production, and avoid insect-induced disease.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Over recent decades, non-pesticide and non-toxic methods of pest control, known as integrated pest management (IPM), have been developed and are now in increasing use.  However, such information has not yet reached the general public.  Recognizing this critical information gap, Stephen Tvedten has compiled a virtual encyclopedia of IPM entitled, “The Best Control II.” This provides reader friendly, practical information on IPM, and how it can be readily used for any and every form of insect control, at both the domestic and community level.  This information includes a comprehensive description of all major classes of insects and pests, including lice, birds and even rattlesnakes.

 

Tvedten has unparalleled practical experience in IPM methods of pest control, in which he is the leading international expert.   “The Best Control II,” is a unique and invaluable contribution which should be in the hands of every concerned pest control expert, educator, physician, citizen, homeowner and parent. Tvedten has made an invaluable contribution to public health.

Samuel S. Epstein, M.D.
Professor Emeritus Environmental & Occupational Medicine
University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health,
Chairman, Cancer Prevention Coalition [http://www.preventcancer.com/index.htm]

It is in everyone’s interests to take action on this broad issue of inappropriate and excessive pesticide use.  It does not necessarily need to be assertively or negatively publicized.  A quiet dialogue within the general school framework, the Golf Club, and the Hawkesbury Council, and the consequent implementation of robust alternative weed and insect management strategies would certainly now save multiple accidental poisonings in the near future.

 

 

AUTHORITIES ONLY HAVE A MANDATE TO PROTECT, NOT POISON

 

However, should authorities willfully fail their Duty of Care and, by commission or omission, contribute to poisoning families and the next generation (http://poisonedpeople.com); if, as caretakers, authorities fail to take care, then people “must be empowered, to feel that they have control over their own learning” (Parker 2000:170).

 

Given that the above-listed meagre sampling of toxicological data are becoming much more widely known, one acute incident of explicit poisoning would be sufficient to generate large scale visitations of community upheaval and upset through the court system.  A 60 Minutes expose and public furor do not need to be the crucible through which beneficial change is ultimately embraced.

 

Thank you

 

Murray Thompson

 

REPLIES

As noted in the above letter, the High School Principal kindly replied to the letter.  The Hawkesbury Council also replied and said they would be suspending all spraying of Roundup around kiddies playgrounds.  Only a few weeks later in November/December 2005, the Council again sprayed around the softfall perimeter of the kiddies playground at McLeod Park, in South Windsor, and also along my back fence!  See below.

 

 

Figure 9  McLeod Park's kiddies playground sprayed in November/December 2005

with toxic weedicide yet again (Source: M. Thompson, Nov./Dec. 2005)

 

 

VIEW THE HAWKESBURY COUNCIL'S REPLY TO THIS LETTER AS A PDF FILE

View My Small Reply To The Above Council Letter as a PDF File

To view and save this letter as an Adobe PDF file, click HERE.

 

 

 

 

REFERENCES

 1.  Ref. #1, p. 19. The most commonly used home/garden and industrial/commercial/government herbicides are 2,4-D, glyphosate, dicamba, MCPP (mecoprop), diuron, and dacthal.

2.  U.S. EPA. 1999. Office of Pesticide Programs list of chemicals evaluated for carcinogenic potential. Washington, D.C., Aug. 25. (dacthal and diuron).

3.  U.S. EPA. 1990. IRIS substance file: 2-(2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxy) propionic acid (MCPP). www.epa.gov/iris/subst/oo67.htm.

4. U.S. EPA. Office of Drinking Water. 1988. Dicamba health advisory. Washington, D.C. (Aug.).

5.  Savitz, D.A. et al. 1997. Male pesticide exposure and pregnancy outcome. Am. J. Epidemiol. 146:1025-1036. (glyphosate).

6.  Zahm, S.H. 1997. Mortality study of pesticide applicators and other employees of a lawn care service company. J. Occup. Med. 39:1055-1067. (2,4-D).

Azaroff, L.S. & Neas, L.M. 1999, ‘Acute health effects associated with nonoccupational pesticide exposure in rural El Salvador’, Environmental Research (Section A), 80(2), February.

Bhatt, M.H. et al. 1999, ‘Acute and reversible Parkinsonism due to organophosphate pesticide intoxication: five cases’, Neurology, 52(7), April 22.

Blondell, J. & Dobozy, V.A. 1997, ‘Review of chlorpyrifos poisoning data’, January 1997 memorandum, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, US EPA, Washington, D.C., USA. 

Buffin, D. & Jewell, T. 2001, Health and Environmental impacts of glyphosate: The implications of increased use of glyphosate in association with genetically modified crops, Friends of the Earth.

Cox, C. 1993, ‘Biotechnology and Agricultural Pesticide Use: An Interaction Between Genes and Poisons’, Journal of Pesticide Reform, Vol. 13, No. 3 (Fall), NCAP, PO Box 1393, Eugene, OR 97440, USA.

Cox, C. 1998, ‘Jimmy and Jane’s day: a precautionary tale’, in Journal of Pesticide Reform, Summer 1998 – Vol. 18, No. 2, Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, PO Box 1393 Eugene, OR 97440-1393 USA (www.pesticide.org).

Dykstra, W. & Ghali, G.Z. 1991, ‘Second peer review of glyphosate. Memo to R. Taylor and L. Rossi’, US EPA Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, Health Effects Division, Washington, D.C.

Ecobichon, et al. 1990. “Neurotoxic effects of pesticides,” In Baker, SR and CF Wilkinson (eds). The effects of pesticides on human health. New Jersey: Princeton Scientific Publishing.

Environmental Protection Agency 1995, ‘Proposed Guidelines for Neurotoxicity Risk Assessment’, Federal Register (Part II), Vol. 63, No.93.

Eskenazi, B. et al. 1999, ‘Exposures of children to organophosphate pesticides and their potential adverse health effects’, Environmental Health Perspectives, 107 (3), June.

Ewing, R.D. 1999, Diminishing Returns: Salmon Decline and Pesticides, Oregon Pesticide Education Network.

Hadlington, P.W. 1996, Australian Termites and Other Common Timber Pests, 2^nd edn, UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW, Australia.

Hatherill, J.R. Dr. 1999, ARE TODAY'S TEENS MORE TOXIC?, Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Ill; Jun 15, 1999; pg. 19.

Hawkesbury Independent 2005, Education Week 2005, Tuesday May 17^th.

Keifer, M.C. & Mahurin, R.K. 1997, ‘Chronic neurologic effects of pesticide overexposure’, Occup. Med.: State of the Art Reviews, 12:291-304.

La Fage, J.P. & Nutting, W.L. 1978, ‘Nutrient dynamics of termites’, in Production Ecology of Ants and Termites, M.V. Brian (Ed.), Cambridge University Press, The Pitt Building, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RP, UK.

Kale, et al. 1995, ‘Mutagenicity testing of nine herbicides and pesticides currently used in agriculture’, Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 25:148-153.

Lifshitz, M. et al. 1999, ‘Carbamate and organophosphate poisoning in young children’, Pediatric Emergency Care 15(2), April.

Moses, M., Johnson, E.S., Anger, W.K., Burse, V.W., Horstman, S.F., Jackson, R.J., Lewis, R.G., Maddy, K.T., McConnell, R., Meggs, W.J., and Zahm, S.H. 1993, ‘Environmental equity and pesticide exposure’, Toxicol. Indust. Health, 9:913-959.

NCAP (Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides) 1998, Worst Kept Secrets: Toxic Inert Ingredients in Pesticides, Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, PO Box 1393 Eugene, OR 97440-1393 USA (www.pesticide.org).

NCAP (Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides) 1999,  LANDSCAPING NATURE’S WAY: USING NATURAL LANDSCAPING TO REDUCE HERBICIDE USE, Journal of Pesticide Reform, VOL.19, NO. 4, P. O. B O X 1 3 9 3, E U G E N E, O R E G O N 9 7 4 4 0.

NCAP (Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides) 2000, Unthinkable Risk: How Children Are Exposed and Harmed  When Pesticides Are Used at School, Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, PO Box 1393 Eugene, OR 97440-1393 USA (www.pesticide.org).

NCAP (Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides) 2000a, Unintended Casualties: Five Children Whose Lives Were Profoundly Affected by Pesticide Exposures at School, Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, PO Box 1393 Eugene, OR 97440-1393 USA (www.pesticide.org).

NRC 1993, Pesticides in the diets of infants and children, National Research Council, National Academy Press, Washington, DC.

Nishioka, et al. 1996. Measuring transport of lawn-applied herbicide acids from turf to home: Correlation of dislodgeable 2,4-D turf residues with carpet dust and carpet surface residues. Environ. Sci. and Technol. 30(11):3313-3320.

Padungtod, C. et al. 1999, ‘Sperm aneuploidy among Chinese pesticide factory workers: scoring by the FISH method’, American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 36:2, August.

Parker, Dr. Frances, The Safe Use of Chemicals by Market Gardeners of Non-English Speaking Background: Developing an effective extension strategy for the Sydney Basin, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation., Level 1, AMA House, 42 Macquarie Street Barton ACT 2600.

Pesticide Action Network (North America) 1999, Pesticide Research Updates, October, Number 1.

Pesticide Action Network (North America) 2000,  Pesticide Research Updates, February, Number 2.

Rank, et al. 1993, ‘Genotoxicity testing of the herbicide Roundup and its active ingredient glyphosate isopropylamine using the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test’, Salmonella mutagenicity test and Allium anaphase-telophase test, Mutation Research 300:29-36.

 

Work from home!

 

Reeves, M., Schafer, K., Hallward, K. & Katten, A. 1999, Fields of Poison: California Farmworkers and Pesticides, Pesticide Action Network North America Regional Center, California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, United Farm Workers of America and Californians for Pesticide Reform (Publishers).

Repetto & Baliga 1996, Pesticides and the Immune System, World Resources Institute, Washington, D.C. (March).

Riley, B. & Cox, C. 1999, Landscaping Nature’s Way: Using Natural Landscaping to Reduce Herbicide Use, NCAP, PO Box 1393 Eugene, OR 97440-1393 USA (www.pesticide.org).

Savage, E.P., Keefe, T.J. & Mounce, L.M. 1988, ‘Chronic neurological sequelae of acute organophosphate poisoning’, Arch. Environ. Health, 43:38-45.

Sawada, Y.Y., et al 1988, ‘Probable toxicity of surface-active agent in commercial herbicide containing glyphosate’, Lancet, 1(8580):299.

Solomon, G.M. & Mott, L.M. 1998, Trouble On The Farm: Growing Up With Pesticides In Agricultural Communities, Natural Resources Defense Council, New York, NY, USA.

Steenland, K; Jenkins, B; Ames, R.G.; O’Malley, M; Chrislip, D; Russo, J. 1994, ‘Chronic neurological sequelae to organophosphate pesticide poisoning’, Am. Journal Public Health, 84:731-736.

Stedman's Medical Dictionary 1976, ‘Hypotonia’, in Stedman's Medical Dictionary, 23^rd Edn, The Williams & Wilkins Company, Baltimore Md USA.

Stephens, R; Sprugeon, A; Calvert, I.A.; Beach, J; Levy, L.S. Berry, H; Harrington, J.M. 1995, ‘Neurophysiological effects of longterm exposure to organophosphates in sheep dip’, The Lancet 345:1135-1139.

Talbot, A.R. 1991, ‘Acute poisoning with a glyphosate-surfactant herbicide (‘Roundup’): A review of 93 cases’, Human Exp. Toxicol. 10:1-8).

Tandon, P; Padilla, S; Barone, S; Pope, C.N.; Tilson, H.A. 1994, ‘Fenthion produces a persistent decrease in muscarinic receptor function in the adult rat retina’, Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 125:271-280.

Tominack, R.L. 1991, ‘Taiwan national poison center survey of glyphosate-surfactant herbicide ingestions’, Clin. Toxicol. 29(1):91-109.

Tortensson, N.T.L., Lundgren, L.N., and Stenstrom, J. 1989, ‘Influence of climate and edaphic factors on persitence of glyphosate and 2,4-D in forest soils’, Ecotoxicol. Environ. Safety 18:230-239.

Tortora, G.J., Funke, B.R. & Case, C.L. 1995, Microbiology – An Introduction, 5^th edition, The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company, Inc., 390 Bridge Parkway.

Tvedten, S.L. 1999, 2002, The Bug Stops Here, compiled from The Best Control II – Intelligent Pest Management, Copyright 1998 and 2002 by Stephen Tvedten.

US EPA Office of Pesticide Programs 1986, Guidance for the reregistration of pesticide products containing glyphosate as the active ingredient, Washington, D.C. (June).

US EPA 1990-1, Nonoccupational pesticide exposure study (NOPES) Final Report, EPA Office of Research and Development, Washington, DC (March).

US EPA 1993-2, ‘Science chapter for registration eligibility document for glyphosate’, EPA Ecological Effects Branch, Washington, DC (May 1).

US EPA 1994, ‘Reregistration eligibility decision (RED): Oryzalin’, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, Washington, DC (September).

US EPA 1999-1, Memorandum: ‘Office of Pesticide Programs list of chemicals evaluated for carcinogenic potential’, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, Washington, DC (August).

Vigfusson & Vyse 1980, ‘The effect of the pesticides Dexon, Captan and Roundup on sister chromatid exchanges in human lymphocytes in vitro’, Mutation Research 79:53-57.

Watanabe, et al, 1990, ‘Placental and blood-brain barrier transfer following prenatal and postnatal exposures to neuroactive drugs: relationship with partition coefficient and behavioral teratogenesis’, Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol., 105(1):66-77.

World Health Organization 1994, Glyphosate, Environmental Health Criteria #159, United Nations Environment Programme, Geneva, Switzerland.

Zweiner, R. & Ginsburg, C. 1988, ‘Organophosphate and carbamate poisoning in infants and children’, Pediatrics 81:121-126.

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VIEW THE HAWKESBURY COUNCIL'S REPLY TO THIS LETTER AS A PDF FILE

View My Small Reply To The Above Council Letter as a PDF File

To view and save this letter as an Adobe PDF file, click HERE.

 

 

 

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LETTER #2: TO LOCAL GOLF CLUB & COUNCIL OVER SPRAYING OF ROUNDUP, & TOXIC EFFECTS

Tuesday, January 10^th, 2006

 

 

Murray Thompson
PO BOX 5761
South Windsor LPO
NSW 2756
Tuesday, January 10^th, 2006

CC. Ms. Carolyn McDonagh, Safety Officer, Richmond High School

General Manager, Hawkesbury City Council

Mr. Steven Pringle MP, State Member for Hawkesbury

Councilor Leigh Williams, Hawkesbury Council

Drs. Nagwa Morris & Louise Arnold, South Windsor Medical Practice

Lee Rhiannon, MLC, The Greens, Parliament of New South Wales

Sylvia Hale, MLC, The Greens, Parliament of New South Wales

Dr Frances Parker, Senior Lecturer, University of Western Sydney

Diana Buckland, Founder & Global Coordinator, Global Campaign for Recognition of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (http://www.mcs-global.org/)

Windsor Police Station

SUBJECT:  CHILD POISONING FROM WEEDICIDES & PESTICIDES

 

Dear..., etc:

My name is Murray Thompson and I am a resident of Bligh Park.  I have an Applied Science Degree in Environmental Health (UWS Hawkesbury, 1998), Hons I in Social Ecology, and am currently pursuing [with much difficulty due to the neurological impact of pesticide poisoning] a PhD in Sociology.  Further to my previous letter and enclosures of May 23^rd 2005 that highlighted the toxicity of RoundUp[1] (or glyphosate) and other pesticides in general.

 

 

PESTICIDES IMPLICATED IN AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR IN TEENS

 

Roundup is now implicated in terms of aggressive behaviour in teenagers, as well as in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Attention Deficit Disorder and miscarriages (see below).  My son is now chemical sensitive due to pesticide exposure at my Bligh Park Department of Housing residence.  This should provide a suitable caution to all concerned in the maintenance of properties and public lands, as well as private households.  In terms of the weeds growing between the back fences of residences on McQuade Avenue South Windsor and the east perimeter fence of the Golf Club’s property, the Golf Club should exercise extreme caution here.  I have cleared these weeds from behind a McQuade Avenue house where my son lives (see photos below).  This took only 15 minutes to accomplish [what I'm trying to point out here is that the manual removal of weeds is not a big issue, but that poisoning people is].

 

CHEMICAL TRESPASS

 

I suggest that the Golf Club entertain the notion of employing an individual to physically pull these weeds between the 2 sets of properties, as well as immediately inside the Club’s fenceline (they are easy to extract).  Should toxic RoundUp or other nerve agent weedicide be employed along this fenceline, I would have no alternative but to initiate legal proceedings against the Club for Chemical Trespass[2] and chemical assault.  I am in a position to provide advice to residents in McQuade Avenue on participation in a Class Action should this be necessary.  Copies of this letter have been provided to my solicitor and lawyer.

 

Please note the photos below:

---

[1]  http://www.oztoxics.org/ntn/media.html.

[2]  “An act to make the trespass of any agricultural chemicals an offence and to facilitate the recovery of damages” -- http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/bills/pdf/60_of_2004.pdf, and http://www.panna.org/campaigns/docsTrespass/chemicalTrespass2004.dv.html.

 

[These photos do not need to be shown here.  They are the same as the above photos -- "Figures 1 & 2 Evidence of Toxic Herbicide Sprayed Along the East Perimeter Fence of the Golf Club" -- excepting that the weeds that had grown back quickly had been pulled out by myself.  Hopefully, the shoes I was wearing when I pulled the weeds kept me from directly contacting any soil or plant matter that still contained RoundUp residue.  My 4 km walk home should also have removed any chemical from the underside of my shoes and spread it elsewhere...]

Please note:

Pollution causes some people to commit violent crimes: In our myopia, we've neglected this obvious possibility.  Yet a rapidly expanding body of research shows that heavy metals such as lead and pesticides decrease mental ability and increase aggressiveness.  Human behavior is so easily influenced by toxic chemicals that in the 1980s a new scientific discipline called behavioral toxicology came into existence…

Children are the most vulnerable to pollutants.  Because they are growing rapidly and they are smaller, they absorb 40 to 50 percent more toxic leads than adults.  Babies fed infant formula rather than breast milk absorb more heavy metals such as manganese.  And calcium deficiency in childhood also increases uptake of lead and manganese.  An article in a February 1996 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, titled 'Bone Lead Levels and Delinquent Behavior,' outlines the association between heavy metals in the body and behavior problems such as attention deficit disorder, aggression, and delinquency.

Still more worrisome: At least seven studies have demonstrated that violent criminals have elevated levels of lead, cadmium, manganese, mercury and other toxic chemicals in their bodies, compared with prisoners who are not violent.

Dr. J. Robert Hatherill 1999, http://www.veg.ca/lifelines/sepoc99/teens.htm

 

If Council and the local police wish to reduce the level of aggressive behaviour sourced in McQuade Avenue and in Windsor generally, they should consider eliminating the use of RoundUp entirely.

 

 

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ROUNDUP IMPLICATED IN NON-HODGKIN’S LYMPHOMA, ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER AND MISCARRIAGES

Note:

Symptoms of exposure to glyphosate include eye irritation, burning eyes, blurred vision, skin rashes, burning or itchy skin, nausea, sore throat, asthma and difficulty breathing, headache, lethargy, nose bleeds, and dizziness.  Glyphosate and glyphosate-containing herbicides caused genetic damage in laboratory tests with human cells, as well as in tests with laboratory animals. 

Studies of farmers and other people exposed to glyphosate herbicides have shown that this exposure is linked with increased risks of the cancer non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, miscarriages, and attention deficit disorder (ADD or ADHD).  For each of the hazards identified in these studies there are also laboratory studies with results that are consistent with the studies of exposed people.

There is also laboratory evidence that glyphosate herbicides can reduce production of sex hormones.  Studies of glyphosate contamination of water are limited, but new results indicate that it can commonly contaminate streams in both agricultural and urban areas.

Problems with drift of glyphosate herbicides occur frequently. Only one other herbicide causes more drift incidents.  Glyphosate herbicides caused genetic damage and damage to the immune system in fish.  In frogs, glyphosate herbicides caused genetic damage and abnormal development.  Application of glyphosate herbicides increases the severity of a variety of plant diseases.

 Caroline Cox 2004, http://www.pesticide.org/glyphosate.pdf.

* * *

 

ROUNDUP, FROGS & CHILDREN

 

Council should take note that the incidence of Ross River Fever is increasing in South Australia in line with an increase in populations of mosquitos.  I noted in a previous letter to Council that RoundUp massacres frog populations.  Frogs are a primary mosquito predator.  As well, it should be observed that RoundUp, the world’s most popular weedicide, is not only contributing to the worldwide extinction of numerous frog species (along with other pollutants), it is also implicated in bone deformities in frogs.  This symptom should also provide a suitable warning in terms of child development.

The above research is clear:  toxic chemicals are bringing about serious alterations in the cohesion and survivability of the entire human race.  This is not just a monumental global public health issue.  It also represents an Extinction Event.

Sincerely,

______________________________

Murray Thompson

REFERENCES

Hatherill, Dr. R.J. 1999, Are today's teens more toxic?, Toronto Vegetarian Association, http://www.veg.ca/lifelines/sepoc99/teens.htm, accessed: 10^th January 2006.

Cox, C. 2004, HERBICIDE FACTSHEET: GLYPHOSATE, JOURNAL OF PESTICIDE REFORM/ WINTER 2004 • VOL. 24, NO. 4, NORTHWEST COALITION FOR ALTERNATIVES TO PESTICIDES/NCAP, P.O. BOX 1393, EUGENE, OREGON 97440 USA / (541)344-5044 / www.pesticide.org.

 

 

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SEE LETTER #3 BELOW...

 

 

CHEMICAL THREAT TO CHILDREN For a short and to-the-point article (Chemical Threat to Children) listing the toxicological reasons why synthetic chemicals (especially pesticides and weedicides) are extremely dangerous to children's health, click on the following links for the html or pdf document in the desired language (these files are hosted on my People Poisoned website): Ameaca Quimica as Criancas_port_Portuguese.html (Língua portuguese - Portuguese) or pdf document Amenaza Quimica para los Ninos_span_Spanish.html (Lengua española - Spanish) or pdf document Chemical Threat to Children_chinsi (Simplified Chinese).html (简体中文语言) or pdf document (pdf 文件) Chemical Threat to Children.html (English language) or pdf document Chemical Threat to Children_chintr (Traditional Chinese).html (繁體中文語言) or pdf document (pdf 文件) Chemical Threat to Children_japa (Japanese).html (日本言語) or pdf document (pdf 文書) Chemical Threat to Children_kore (Korean).html (한국말 언어) or pdf document (pdf 문서) Chemical Threat to Children_russ (Russian).html (Русский язык) or pdf document (pdf документ) Chemical Threat to Children_germ (German).html (Deutsche Sprache) or pdf document (pdf Dokument) Chemical Threat to Children_fren (French).html (Langue française) or pdf document Minaccia Chimica Contro i Bambini_ital_Italian.html (Lingua italiana) or pdf document (pdf documento)

 

 

If you have a poisoning emergency! If you have a poisoning emergency in the United States call 1-800-222-1222.  If the victim has collapsed or is unconscious, call 911. If you have a poisoning emergency in Australia, ring 13 11 26.  This number is Australia-wide, and available 24/7.  If the victim has collapsed or is unconscious, call 000. POISONING LINKS WORLDWIDE (GLOBAL CRISIS SOLUTION CENTER) POISONING LINKS WORLDWIDE (WHO WORLD DIRECTORY OF POISONS CENTERS) NOTE: PAN Pesticides Database - Pesticide Poisoning Diagnostic Tool (please see: http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Search_Poisoning.jsp) NOTE:  Alternatives to chemical pest control: click HERE! (http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Alternatives.html)

 

 

IF YOU HAVE BEEN HELPED BY THIS SITE, THEN PLEASE DONATE TO THIS IMMENSELY WORTHY CAUSE!

 

My name is Murray Thompson, and I am the author of this website. What would you do if you and your children were injured through chemical exposure? This happened to my son and I in late 2000 when an unwanted termiticide treatment occurred at our NSW Department of Housing residence.  At the time I was doing a PhD in Sociology at the University of Western Sydney.  The poisoning symptoms prevented me from continuing my study, and I have been unemployed since mid-2003 when my PhD Scholarship ended.   Note: your body - when poisoned - needs significant & ongoing nutritional support to combat the arthralgias (joint pains), myalgias, chronic fatigue, headaches, nose bleeds, loss of coordination, dizziness & neurological (brain) damage (confusion, depression, slowed responses, loss of short term memory).  I have found products that help enormously, especially in terms of detoxifying the body and increasing energy - but cannot currently afford their cost while prosecuting David & Goliath legal action against the HUGE Government department that poisoned us and then ignored us.   Please help me to continue warning people worldwide about the dangers of pesticides. Help me to continue researching pesticide impacts & symptoms, publish their hazards online, help poisoning victims get legal help, and assist them to heal their damaged bodies.   What would you do if you and your children were injured through chemical exposure? You would: 1.  Find the right medical specialists who have knowledge in chemical poisoning and get appropriate blood and urine tests done to confirm the presence of poisoning symptoms. Blood tests (the right kind) are an essential start in this process.  X-rays may then define joint damage, neuro-psychological testing can then determine how brain function has been affected, and MRI and SPECT scans (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) may then also define the presence of physical brain damage.  Even more conclusive and revealing, neuro-psychological tests can expose even subtle damage to the brain. 2.  Get the right kind of legal assistance so you can "re-educate" the people who contributed to your poisoning. Often, you will be ignored if you complain about a poisoning incident.  In this kind of situation you need to create pressure in order to get a professional response from those who forced you and your children to address a life of diminished potential.  If they resist, you will need to take assertive legal action against them in order to get compensation that can help you rebuild your lives.  As well, the media attention during and after your trial will assist many to learn how easy it is to be poisoned, and what they need to do if this happens to them.  Education and knowledge is a pivotal concern here.  If people can't learn from your experiences, then they have to learn the slow and hard way all by themselves.  And that can kill because pesticides are known to promote suicide!  I don't want anyone to have to learn what I've learnt as slowly as I've had to.

Murray Thompson PO Box 5761 South Windsor LPO NSW 2756 AUSTRALIA   PLEASE SEE: http://poisonedpeople.com for POISONING information, including my story of poisoning

 

 

 

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LETTER #3: TO HAWKESBURY COUNCIL OVER SPRAYING OF ROUNDUP, & TOXIC EFFECTS

Wednesday, February 1st, 2006

 

Murray Thompson
PO BOX 5761
South Windsor LPO
NSW 2756
Wednesday 1^st February 2006

General Manager

HAWKESBURY CITY COUNCIL

PO Box 146

Windsor NSW 2756

 

Dear Council:

 

My name is Murray Thompson.  I have an Applied Science Degree in Environmental Health (UWS Hawkesbury, 1998), and am currently pursuing a PhD in Social Ecology.  My PhD examines the toxicity of pesticides, herbicides and many other chemicals, among a very broad selection of issues.

 

On Thursday Aug 16, 2001 I advised you of the severe toxicity of Roundup/glyphosate.  I received no reply to this communication.  You were further advised of this issue – with additional information – on Monday, May 23, 2005 wherein I stated:

 

My son and I were seriously poisoned at my Dept. of Housing Bligh Park residence in December 2000 when a termiticide treatment was forced upon us, even when it was known well beforehand that I was chemical sensitive.  He and I are both now considerably injured and physically impaired as a result of this negligence.

 

I received a reply to this letter.  On Tuesday, January 10^th, 2006 you were again sent additional information on the toxicity of Roundup.

 

You have been previously warned that my son and I have been badly poisoned by pesticide, and yet Roundup has been sprayed against my back fence at my Bligh Park address some time during the past 3 weeks.  The photos of this spraying, presented below, were taken on Thursday 26 January 2006.

 

Council Spraying at My Back Fence!

Figures 9 & 10  Roundup Sprayed Outside My Back Fence (Source: M. Thompson)

 

I am giving a copy of this letter to my solicitor and lawyer.  If Council sprays Roundup anywhere near my address... again, I will have no alternative but to launch immediate legal action.

 

In terms of my conversation with the Council’s Environment Officer, Mr Andrew Matthews, on Friday 27 January 2006, Council must now institute what the Blue Mountains Council is doing: construct a registry for chemical sensitive people and avoid spraying near their residences.

 

Regards,

 

___________________________

 

(Murray Thompson)

 

*

 

Figures 11 & 12  Toxic Roundup Again Sprayed at Bradley Road Childrens’ Playground

in Sth Windsor; Photo: Monday 6th March 2006 (Source: M. Thompson)

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

LETTER #4: TO LOCAL GOLF CLUB & COUNCIL OVER SPRAYING OF ROUNDUP, & TOXIC EFFECTS

 

Murray Thompson
PO BOX 5761
South Windsor LPO
NSW 2756
20 April, 2006

 

CC. Ms. Carolyn McDonagh, Safety Officer, Richmond High School

General Manager, Hawkesbury City Council

Mr. Steven Pringle MP, State Member for Hawkesbury

Councilor Leigh Williams, Hawkesbury Council

Drs. Nagwa Morris & Louise Arnold, South Windsor Medical Practice

Lee Rhiannon, MLC, The Greens, Parliament of New South Wales

Sylvia Hale, MLC, The Greens, Parliament of New South Wales

Dr Frances Parker, Senior Lecturer, University of Western Sydney

Diana Buckland, Founder & Global Coordinator, Global Campaign for Recognition of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (http://www.mcs-global.org/)

Windsor Police Station

 

 

SUBJECT:  CHILD POISONING FROM WEEDICIDES & PESTICIDES

Dear Council, etc:

ROUNDUP A KNOWN HORMONE DISRUPTOR

A further update regarding the now KNOWN TOXICITY OF THE HERBICIDE ROUNDUP.

The following information is just the thin edge of the wedge in terms of demonstrating just how toxic this chemical formulation is:

** Two new studies indicate that Monsanto's herbicide, Roundup, is a hormone-disruptor and is associated with birth defects in humans.

Farm families that applied pesticides to their crops in Minnesota were studied to see if their elevated exposure to pesticides caused birth defects in their children.  The study found that two kinds of pesticides -- fungicides and the herbicide Roundup -- were linked to statistically significant increases in birth defects.  Roundup was linked to a 3-fold increase in neurodevelopmental (attention deficit) disorders. [EHP Supplement 3, Vol. 110 (June 2002), pgs. 441-449.] (http://www.pmac.net/hormone_science_part2.html)

In a study in Ontario, Canada, exposure of male farmers to glyphosate-based herbicides was associated with an increase in miscarriage and premature birth in farm families.  [Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) is a monthly journal of peer-reviewed research and news on the impact of the environment on human health.  EHP is published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences] (http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2005/113-6/ss.html).

Add to this what is known regarding depression and suicide amongst farmers in the US exposed to organophosphate pesticides, then we can appreciate that we are all under attack from toxic chemicals.  No wonder today we witness a technological obsession with technological fixes: a mass appeal to drugs and medications to relieve us of the torments associated with chemical exposures.  A catastrophic addiction to barbituates and anti-depressants.   We seek chemical behavior modification for the behavior problems created by chemicals.  And what do we appeal to when our bodies start to fail under the pressure of the toxic medications we believe will do us 'good'?  There is nothing left, other than to stop taking the drugs and stop being exposed to chemical insults.  Easier said than done.

Think of this:  Is there that much difference between a terrorist group who wages chemical warfare upon a nation or religious sect, and irresponsible companies who know their products are toxic (eg cigarette companies, and life-science coporations) selling herbicides, and often dumping prohibited chemicals and medications in Third World countries?  The only difference is in the media profile.  The same evil resides in us all.  The chemical agents are similar; the chemical terrorism and chemical trespass on human bodies is similar; the chemical 'weapons' are arranged just a little differently; the criminal negligence is much the same; the delinquency and immaturity is not that different between the 2 groups, either.

And when emerging diseases teach us that our world is now totally out of control, then we may be given to wondering (for those of us who truly THINK) what have we given up when we decided to hitch our star to modern technology based in chemical engineering!

 

Nature Deficit

Nature Deficit by Richard Louv, Orion Magazine July/August 2005. Is 'nature' a cure? (Didn't we know -- or guess?)
AS ANY PARENT OR TEACHER PROBABLY KNOWS, the number of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has skyrocketed—by 33 percent from 1997 to 2002...

A 2003 study by researchers at the New York State College of Human Ecology reached similar conclusions.  Nancy Wells, the lead researcher, said that exposure to nature resulted in "profound differences" in children's attention capacities and that "green spaces may enable children to think more clearly and cope more effectively with life stress."  That, in turn, could strengthen a child's attention and potentially decrease the symptoms of ADHD...

 

If a greener environment can play a role in curing ADHD, few if any studies have explicitly examined whether the converse is also true: that ADHD may be a set of symptoms initiated or aggravated by lack of exposure to nature.  By this line of thinking, many children may benefit from medications, but the real disorder lies in the society that has disengaged children from nature and imposed on them an artificial environment for which they have not evolved.  Viewed from this angle, children and adults alike would suffer from what might be called nature-deficit disorder, not in a clinical sense, but as a condition caused by the cumulative human costs of alienation from nature, including diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, and higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses.

Further:

Monsanto is poisoning us: How many studies does it take?
New research from France has confirmed previous studies that Monsanto's Roundup, the most commonly used herbicide in the world, is much more toxic than Monsanto admits.  The study indicates that at levels 100 times lower than the recommended use in agriculture, Roundup herbicide causes reproductive damage and endocrine disruption. (http://www.womenandlife.org/WLOE-en/information/ecology/health/healthmenu.html)

 

Add the above to this disturbing revelation:

#819 - A New Way to Inherit Environmental Harm [http://www.rachel.org/bulletin/index.cfm?issue_ID=2501] June 9, 2005 by Tim Montague
"New research shows that the environment is more important to health than anyone had imagined.  Recent information indicates that toxic effects on health can be inherited by children and grandchildren, even when there are no genetic mutations involved.  These inherited changes are caused by subtle chemical influences, and this new field of scientific inquiry is called "epigenetics."... (click on title for full report)  http://www.womenandlife.org/WLOE-en/information/ecology/health/healthmenu.html [Emphasis mine]

 

As well note that Parker (2000:91) states:

Pearse & Wright (1999) have discussed chemical assessment and the Precautionary Principle.  They state: "it is worth noting that it is scientifically impossible to prove that no harm can ever come from a particular chemical."

I draw the attention of the Golf Club to Figures 15 & 16 of http://poisonedpeople.com/index8.html showing that I have cleared the weeds at the back of [address omitted] McQuade Avenue in Sth. Windsor, so they should not feel compelled to spray Roundup there, unless they willfully wish to disregard my previous health warnings re my son's chemical sensitivity and the general toxicological prohibitions marked out by the quotes in this letter.

Included with this letter are printouts of from the following URLs:

http://www.esajournals.org/esaonline/?request=get-abstract&issn=1051-0761&volume=015&issue=02&page=0618 -- THE IMPACT OF INSECTICIDES AND HERBICIDES ON THE BIODIVERSITY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF AQUATIC COMMUNITIES

http://www.mindfully.org/Pesticide/Glyphosate-TadpolesJulg01.htm -- Effects of Acute Exposure to a Commercial Formulation of
Glyphosate on the Tadpoles of Two Species of Anurans

http://www.landcareaustralia.com.au/MediaDisplay.asp?ArticleID=67 -- Victorians Urged to Help Give Frogs a Greener Future

 

REFERENCES for the above Parker, etc quotes:

Parker, Dr. Frances, 2000, The Safe Use of Farm Chemicals by Market Gardeners of Non-English Speaking Background -- Developing an Effective Extension Strategy for the Sydney Basin, Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation, Level 1, AMA House, 42 Macquarie Street BARTON ACT 2600 (PO box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604).

Pearse, W. & Wright, H. 1999, 'Chemical Assessment and the Precautionary Principle', in Perspectives on the Precautionary Principle, R. Harding & E. Fisher (eds),  The Federation Press, Leichhardt, pp. 240-253.

Regards,

Murray Thompson

*

Figures 13 & 14  Sprayed and Mowed Grass at Kiddies Playgrounds at Bradley Street and McLeod Park in South Windsor: Leading to Dead Grass With Roundup Residue Spread Over Softfall (Source: M. Thompson)
 

 

* * *

 

SUBJECT:  WE DON'T NEED TO SPRAY TOXIC NERVE AGENTS.  ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES AND PULL THE WEEDS OUT!

Figures 15 & 16  East Perimeter Fence of the Windsor Country Golf Club, Friday 17th March 2006 (Source: M. Thompson)

I pulled the Bidens Pilosa (Common Name: "Farmer's Friend" or "Pitchforks") out between my friend's back fence and the east perimeter fence of the Golf Club without any problems other than the constant joint pains I experience in my fingers and wrists, leftovers from my previous pesticide exposure in December 2000.  Just wear gloves if the area has already been sprayed with Roundup or similar.  Do not pull the weeds (dead or alive) if there is moisture on them and you are not wearing wholly waterproof gloves.  Realize too that you must wear a mask that will adequately filter dust particles that will generate from handling dead organic matter, and disturbing the leaf litter and the soil/dirt that comes up with the roots.  All these materials will likely contain some aspects of the RoundUp residue if previously sprayed within 12 months.  A respirator that filters chemical vapor is probably too extreme a choice, and will inhibit breathing.  However, a respirator filter that removes fine dust would be the ideal choice.  Do not wash your overalls or work clothes in the family washing machine, otherwise you will cross-contaminate the rest of your family.  Gee, pesticide residue is a right royal pain in the arse, isn't it?
 

Figures 17 & 18  Mowing In High Traffic Areas Avoids the False Need to Spray Toxic Herbicides: March 19th 2006 (I didn't even use a  'weed-eater' or grass cutter) (Source: M. Thompson)

Consider: Spraying in weed infested areas will not usually kill the seeds, so pointless and continuous spraying to affect only green re-growth (what herbicide manufacturers want) will ensure that environmental destruction and human health impact will be sustained (what herbicide manufacturers don't care about).  Manual removal of weeds is the only solution (where goats aren't available...).  Here is where the COMMUNITY should be asked by Council to participate in their responsibility to help with a community problem.  Campaigns should be constructed that generate free public participation in ongoing weed removal and natural habitat rehabilitation (like Clean Up Australia Day).  Many hands make light work and work light, develop community spirit, promote exercise and health, and AVOIDS the immature and lazy presumption that a chemical fix will solve the problem the best way. 

Chemical fixes are never an adequate option other than in medical emergencies that threaten human life (there are always more natural and less invasive ways to address human health maintenance).  Chemicals, whether in terms of human health or environmental maintenance, are never a sustainable or healthy choice.  They will always be found to be significantly toxic, and will CAUSE MORE LONG TERM NEGATIVE IMPACTS THAN THEY COULD EVER POSSIBLY BE WORTH IN THE SHORT TERM. 

We need to take the blinkers off and appreciate that every gram of toxin we expel to the environment locally as adding up to a GLOBAL TRAGEDY.

It's time we humans, so impressed by our own ingenuity, realized that this planet is designed to be an organic paradise.  It cannot function after the fashion that we have blundered into in the catastrophic stupidity we generate while being in love with our toxic technologies...  If we cannot cease and desist from pumping toxic chemicals into our environment, then all we can hope for is to somehow magically sidestep significant injury and loss in a blighted existence at the hands of the host of energy budget nightmares lined up against us in the chemicalized future already latched onto our backs, and biting deep.  We must STOP thinking in such a limited, quick-fix and short-term fashion, imagining blindly that we live in a wonderful modern age filled with interesting gadgets and realize, with profundity, exactly what we are doing to our host, this once green and vibrant planet Earth.  We have already gone well beyond the POINT OF NO RETURN.  All we can hope for now is to minimize the advancing impact.  We are yet NOW in a time when meteorological and marine catastrophes will multiply in magnitude and destructive power beyond anything we have previously experienced as our fouled Earth lurches to and fro like a drunkard on steroids.  THRESHOLDS have been breached, and natural planetary buffer systems have been severely compromised.  THE ONRUSH OF CALAMITY IS WITH US NOW!

 

* * *

SUBJECT: CHEMICAL EXPOSURE AND AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES, INCLUDING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

 

Introduction

 

1 in 3 people have Cancer (2 billion+!!!!)...  1 in 4 people die of Cancer...  1 in 8 women have Breast Cancer...  17 million people have Asthma...  4 million people have Parkinson's worldwide...  2.5 million people have Multiple Sclerosis...  4 million people have Lupus...  4.6 million people have Alzheimer's...  40 million people have arthritis...  18.2 million people have Diabetes representing 6% of the U.S. population...  16% of the U.S. has chemical sensitivity and 7% have been diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity...  1 million people in the U.S. have Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome...  24 % of the U.S. experience a mental illness in their lifetime...  1 in 6 children in U.S. suffers from a developmental, learning, or behavioral disability such as Autism, Mental Retardation, ADHD, and birth defects (http://coalitionagainsttoxins.com/).

 

What is HAPPENING?

 

Discussion

 

We are swimming in an ocean of waste.  Toxic waste.  We have created monsters, but don't understand their effects on our bodies.  Our love for chemical 'helps' has smitten us with a pathological blindness that screens out any worthwhile precaution, or real care for our precious bodies or wider environment.  Our obsession with technology has left us blundering into a contrived, chemicalized future, without even a basic understanding of true cause and effect.

 

How bad is this chemical contamination?  Note: "Children have home and garden pesticides in their urine and they're peeing out wood preservatives.  Women have termite poisons and toilet deodorizers and flame-retardants in their breast milk" (Dr. Steingraber, http://www.pbs.org/now/transcript/transcript117_full.html)!

 

We're poisoning our kids, toxins report says

 

September 11, 2000
Web posted at: 10:42 a.m. EDT (1442 GMT)

By Environmental News Network staff

 

U.S. industry annually releases around 24 billion pounds of toxic chemicals that are believed to generate neurological and developmental problems in children.

That quantity could fill a string of railroad cars stretching from New York City to New Mexico.  Yet, no emissions standards exist for these destructive chemicals.

This shocking finding is one of many in the report, Polluting Our Future: Chemical Emissions in the U.S. that Affect Child Development and Learning [http://www.net.org/relatives/4280.pdf; see also: http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/NewScience/human/2000-09netreport.htm, http://www.rense.com/general3/mindds.htm, http://environet.policy.net/proactive/newsroom/release.vtml?id=20614, and http://www.acereport.org/children2.html].  It was released by the National Environmental Trust (NET), Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Learning Disabilities Association.

"That is the most startling thing," noted Jeff Wise, policy director for NET.  "The amount and how little we know about the chemicals" (http://archives.cnn.com/2000/NATURE/09/11/toxin.report.enn/index.html).

Link Between Chemicals and Diseases

Researchers are now finding definite links between environmental pollutants and a growing list of autoimmune diseases.  Disorders like lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS) and Type I diabetes are increasing rapidly.

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body attacks itself.  A person's immune system becomes confused, and healthy tissue is attacked.  In MS, it's nerve cells that come under siege; in rheumatoid arthritis, its the joints; lupus affects the kidneys, joints, heart or lungs.  Scientists are only now beginning to understand common links between these illnesses [Note: "Environmental epidemiology, doing epidemic investigations of things in the environment, has been held back by the lack of good measures about what's in people.  It's much more difficult than infectious disease epidemiology.  Environmental exposures are often much lower, much more long term, it's a different kind of investigation.  Dr. Jackson, http://www.pbs.org/now/transcript/transcript117_full.html].

The overall cause is partly genetic.  But a person must also encounter something in their local environment (a virus, chemical, or a heavy metal, eg lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic) before symptoms manifest.

An autoimmune disease is very stressful.

Autoimmune patients (75 percent are women [which seems to indicate significant exposure to environmental toxins in the home]) endure crippling fatigue, swollen joints and odd skin rashes. They live with chronic discomfort and inconsistent flare-ups of their problems.

Recent studies reveal that many of the same chemicals that cause cancer and reproductive problems in humans and wildlife can also play a part in autoimmune disease.  In some cases, toxic chemicals generate a disease even before the baby is born.  Other scientists believe it may require a combination of factors to produce a disease:

* Environmental estrogens/endocrine disrupters.  According to World Wildlife Fund scientist Theo Colborn, any chemical that elicits hormone-like activity can affect the immune system. Bisphenol A (BPA) is one such endocrine disruptor.  It's in everything from computer plastics to polycarbonate baby drinking bottles.  Previous studies indicate it also may activate autoimmune responses.

Japanese animal studies indicate that lab mice with a genetic tendency to develop lupus showed telltale signs of the disease when exposed to BPA.  Meanwhile, Ansar Ahmed, a Virginia Tech immunologist, discovered that prenatal exposure to the drug DES (another chemical similar to estrogen) caused mice to develop lupus symptoms.  When Kansas endocrinologist Virginia Rider exposed human lupus patients' immune cells to estrogen, the disease activity increased.

* Pesticides.  Since many pesticides indicate hormone-like activity, they also appear to be part of the overall chemical picture of autoimmune disease.  For example, when Dr. Eric Sobel, a rheumatologist at the University of Florida, exposed laboratory mice to chlordecone (an ant and roach traps pesticide), the mice developed lupus.

* Mercury.  K. Michael Pollard at California's Scripps Research Institute says that mice with a lupus gene will develop lupus when exposed to the usual level of mercury most of us have in our bodies every day (0.04 micrograms).  "It's certainly a concern if you are someone with a family background of autoimmune disease," Pollard says.  "If you eat a lot of fish, you might want to be careful about it."  [Now, the following point is DISTURBING]  Lupus-prone mice, in similar experiments, developed Lupus after taking a very high dose of the mercury-based preservative that is found in some vaccines, thimerosal.  Pollard says no one has studied how thimerosal might affect children with a family history of autoimmune disease.  But he believes the benefits of vaccines outweigh the risk [this is a standard statement made by doctors who are afraid of upsetting the orthodox doctrine of vaccination by toxic chemical preparation, and who don't wish to be condemned by their peers who similarly support the massive profits made by life-science pharmaceutical transnationals].

[In further support of the above-noted disturbing revelation re mercury...]  Mice with the lupus gene also developed the disease after being given mercury-based dental fillings.

* Work-related exposures.  Occupational epidemiological studies show miners and stone workers have a higher incidence of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, MS and scleroderma.  These people inhale silica dust [as a normal part of occupational chemical exposure].  Those workers who use a lot of solvents (eg auto workers and military staff) also demonstrate higher rates of rheumatoid arthritis and MS [I was exposed to solvent vapors when pesticide diffused through my unit's concrete slab].  Several lawsuits currently underway may implicate pesticides, asbestos and radioactive bomb fallout.

Based on this new information, health experts say people with a family history of autoimmune disease should take certain precautions [this is a normal, quite pathetic statement again typically made by health authorities who don't wish to upset the trillion dollar chemical industry too much by warning EVERYONE to avoid toxics].  Here are some strategies to help you avoid chemical exposure:

* Get tested.  Ask a specialist to provide you with an immune profile.

* Ask about estrogen.  Advise your doctor of any family history of autoimmune problems before you start any kind of hormone therapy, including the birth control pill.  There are estrogenic chemicals in plastics, which can leak in the microwave, so use glass instead for [all] cooking.

* Go veggie.  Dairy products and greasy meals have the highest levels of dioxin and PCBs.

Chicken [that is not organically grown] contains estrogen.  So, vegetarian meals contain less of these toxins.

* Filter.  Drinking water may contain a variety of contaminants [so use reverse osmosis filters to clean your drinking water].

* Go organic.  Avoid chemicals by buying organic produce, unbleached paper products and green cleaners.  Avoid the use of weed killer and bug sprays.

* Manage stress.  Emotional stress adversely magnifies the symptoms of autoimmune diseases.

* Watch what you swallow.  The Echinacea herb can be harmful if your immune system is already in overdrive through an autoimmune disease.  Check with a [environmental/nutrition] doctor first.

Original text by MELISSA KNOPPER, a Colorado-based freelance writer.

CONTACTS

National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Phone: (800)FIGHT-MS

Lupus Foundation of America
Phone: (202) 349-1155

American Autoimmune-Related Disorders Association (AARDA)
Phone: (586)776-3900 (http://www.organicconsumers.org/foodsafety/immune050905.cfm).

 

Note also:

 

ORGANOPHOSPHATE PESTICIDE & ILL HEALTH LINK IN SHEEP DIPPERS -- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15982977&dopt=Abstract

HAIR DYE & BLADDER CANCER LINK -- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/04/020410075652.htm
 

Hair Dye Use Increases Risk Of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma -- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/02/040217072523.htm

 

"Another common characteristic of all autoimmune diseases is that it is thought that an outside agent is required to start the process. Even with a genetic tendency, a person may not develop an autoimmune disease without an environmental influence to set it off. Examples of these are infections, certain foods (iodine or gluten products), and toxins (some drugs, smoking, certain hair dyes, chemicals in the workplace) (http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52305).

 

I believe that MS is simply just one more disease that can be produced by toxic chemicals.

 

An MS story:  http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/MarcyNovantrone.html


POSSIBLE TREATMENTS /'CURES': http://www.organichope.com/english/multiplesclerosis.htm?gclid=CLad3Keu2ocCFQ_rYAodW0j2qQ
 

http://www.multiple-sclerosis-breakthrough.com/truth/
 

 

A Personal Experience By An MS Sufferer

See: http://www.protector.pair.com/mainindex.html, for the personal experience of an MS sufferer.  It is very illuminating and educational.

 

Briefly:  Joseph Francis Smeltzer has, in his personal experience and research, linked MS directly to chemical exposure.  This is perfectly in accordance with the professional medical information presented above. 

 

Conclusion

 

I personally believe that the links between autoimmune diseases and toxic chemicals will become more pronounced as the fields of toxicology and epidemiology more closely merge(http://enhs.umn.edu/mbra/index.html, http://www.imm.ki.se/sft/text/enews2.htm).  There exists already a wealth of information closely linking many disease states to toxic exposure, and the current indications are that many formerly "no known cause and no cure" diseases will be found to have chemical pollution and contamination causes, despite the attempts being made by transnational chemical giants to suppress this new research.

 

 

 

* * *

MCS Global Mission:

Our Website Global Campaign is to bring Awareness, Information and Education to the world population of the disastrous human health and environmental health consequences as a result of global chemical pollution and to gain full and formal global recognition of MCS and other chemically induced illnesses & diseases.

 

What you can do:

Please support the campaign by spreading the word and also take positive action by demanding
your authorities, leaders & others seriously reduce Society's reliance on so many chemicals and
seek chemical-free alternatives wherever and whenever possible.

 

* * *

 

SUBJECT: ASBESTOS IN SOUTH WINDSOR

 

I was walking through Eather Lane in South Windsor at around 2:30 pm on Wednesday 12th April 2006 and saw Council? workers in action in a side lane.  One worker was decked out in white coveralls and respirator, and appeared to be digging up asbestos.  It looked like a fairly inadequate approach to what is more likely an extensive deposit that may require earth moving equipment.  There did not appear to be There may be a few cubic meters of soil that need removing.

 

 

Figure 19  Asbestos Dig in Eather Lane, South Windsor, Wed. 12th April 2006 @ 2:30pm (Source: M. Thompson)

(The location can be found at: Map 86, B/C 15, 2005 Sydney and Blue Mountains Street Directory, 41st Edition)

 

 

Figure 20  Only One Individual Protected From Asbestos Dust -- Photographed Wednesday 12th April 2006 @ 2:30pm (Source: M. Thompson)

 

Figure 21  Hole 1, Figure 22  Hole 3 -- Photographed 12:10am Saturday 15th April 2006, & Figure 23  The Laneway Showing 3 Holes Total -- The Remains of the Dig -- 3 SEPARATE HOLES, Photographed 6:10 pm Wednesday 19th April 2005 (Source: M. Thompson)
 

We hope (and pray) there are no asbestos? fibres remaining in this unsealed soil to blow into people's backyards and lungs...

Figure 24  Holes Uncovered and Washed Out by Rain/Wind -- Photographed Friday 18th August 2006 (Source: M. Thompson)

 

* * *

 

SUBJECT: MASSIVE INDUSTRIAL FIRE AT MCGRATHS HILL

On Monday 19th June 2006 a huge industrial fire started McGraths Hill.

I noticed the smoke plume at around 2pm when I went shopping.  Coming back from the Bligh Park shops at about 2:30pm I could then smell the paint thinners chemical coctail.  I immediately began feeling quite ill.  I rang my son's school and asked them to redirect him to his mother's home at Sth. Windsor because it was more out of the line of smoke drift.  I left for Sth. Windsor a little later to escape the noxious odour.  I started equiries with the Hawkesbury Gazette in an initial attempt to determine if a rash of asthma or other illnesses relating to this smoke has started.  I will follow up this with further enquiries via local doctors, etc.

The smoke odour made me very nauseous.  Later I turned on an Aironic Air Filter onto the full setting (maximum flow through of air) and no less than 5 small Aeronic Negative Ion Generators.  My son and I felt that, after about 30 minutes, a marked improvement in the air quality inside my unit had been leveraged.  The smoke odour was almost completely eliminated, and the air smelt fresher (no doubt due to the increase in concentration of negatively charged air molecules).  Essential items if you are to live in the concentration camp gas chambers (also called "Suburbs") where all the most toxic gases are to be found.
 

Figure 24 (above left)  Industrial Fire At McGraths Hill (Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/060619/23/zgaf08/2342185494.html) and Figures 25 (above right) & 26 (below) The Toxic Industrial Fire Smoke Plume From Bligh Park (Source: M. Thompson)

 

* * *

SUBJECT: THE MYSTERY OF THE APPEARING AND DISAPPEARING PESTICIDE WARNING SIGNS

 

PESTICIDE SIGNS (AT LEAST 5 OF THEM) WERE CLEARLY VISIBLE, ATTACHED TO THE NEW NETBALL FENCING IN MILEHAM STREET, WINDSOR.

 

Figure 25  Pesticide Sign -- Photographed Wednesday 16th August 2006 (Source: M. Thompson).  Don't trust the word: "registered".  It means nothing.  What an authority authorizes oftem means nothing as well.  What really mean SOMETHING are the FACTS of toxicity of these chemicals.  Facts that are ignored because authorizing makes the world a happy and secure place...
 

 

PESTICIDE (OR "HERBICIDE" - A PESTICIDE FOR WEEDS) HAD APPARENTLY BEEN SPRAYED WHERE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN PLAYED ON A COUNCIL PLAYGYM, AND TEENS PLAYED NETBALL.

BUT THEN THE PESTICIDE SIGNS DISAPPEARED.  NOT A ONE TO BE SEEN!!  NO WARNING LEFT TO -- AT THE VERY LEAST -- SHOW THAT AN ACT HAD OCCURRED THAT MIGHT LEAVE RESIDUE BEHIND.  THAT YOU COULD STILL BE SUBJECT TO THE TOXIC ACTIONS OF THE PESTICIDE RESIDUE EVEN WELL AFTER THE SPRAYING HAD OCCURRED.  WHAT IS LEFT BEHIND ARE GHOSTS OF CHEMICALS THAT SILENTLY ATTACH THEMSELVES TO LITTLE SHOES AND FINGERS, AND END UP BEING TAKEN HOME TO THE LOUNGE ROOM CARPET.

 

Figure 26  Pesticide Signs Removed -- Photographed Friday 18th August 2006 (Source: M. Thompson)
 

Figure 27  Pesticide Signs Removed -- Photographed Friday 18th August 2006 (Source: M. Thompson)
 

Bindis might be a damn nuisance, but what of PESTICIDE EXPOSURE in terms of growing children? Is it really sensible or responsible to expose kids to toxic nerve agents that could render a child chemical sensitive for life?  Where are our priorities?  What are we 'thinking' when we imagine that exposure of our precious children to dangerous chemicals is preferable to being spiked on the foot by a weed?  We are, in fact here, only looking at short term 'solutions', the technological quick fix.  And we are failing to consider and embrace the FUTURE!  This leaves our future UNEXAMINED and open to nightmares!

 

From my conversation with a Council employee on 6th Sept. 2006 I learnt that the weedicide used is called Broadside.  The NUFARM AUSTRALIA LTD Material Safety Data Sheet on Broadside Herbicide (http://www.nuturf.com.au/pdfs/broadside.pdf) lists it as such:

 

Risk Phrase

R20/21/22   Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R63   Possible risk of harm to the unborn child.
R65   Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed.
 

Safety Phrase

S13   Keep away from food,drink and animal feeding stuffs.
S2   Keep out of reach of children.
S23(2)   Do not breathe vapour.
S24   Avoid contact with skin.
S62   If swallowed, do not induce vomiting; seek medical advice immediately and show
this container or label.
 

Poisons Schedule

S6
 

Hazard Category

Harmful
 

Packaging & Labelling
POISON
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

 

 

 

The ingredients are listed as such:

 

Name Hydrocarbon Liquid MCPA (present as the iso-octyl  ester) Bromoxynil (present as the  octanoate ester) Dicamba (present as the acid)  Proprietary surfactant mixture (non-hazardous)

CAS 64742-94-5 26544-20-7   1689-99-2   1918-00-9

Proportion 289 g/L 280 g/L   140 g/L   40 g/L 5-10 %

 

Note:

 

"MCPA, isooctyl ester is a Chlorophenoxy compound.

 

Symptoms of Poisoning with Chlorophenoxy Compounds

 

- Irritation of skin, eyes and respiratory tract.
- Inhalation may cause burning sensation in nasopharynx and chest, coughing, and/or dizziness.
- Headache, vomiting, diarrhea.
- Confusion, bizarre or aggressive behavior.
- Kidney failure, increased heart rate.
- Metabolic acidosis resulting in peculiar odor on breath"

(http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Chemical.jsp?Rec_Id=PC32852).

 

 

"Bromoxynil is a toxic chemical with numerous adverse health and environmental effects.  A committee of EPA staff has concluded that bromoxynil should retain its classification as Group C, a possible human carcinogen, based on a new study submitted by Rhone- Poulenc showing that bromoxynil causes malignant liver tumors in both female and male mice.  Evidence of bromoxynil's mutagenicity and information from a structural analog, 2,4,6-tricholorophenol, a known carcinogen, provided additional support for the carcinogenicity classification.

In addition, bromoxynil causes birth defects in laboratory mammals (rats, mice, and rabbits) and has been classified by the Agency as a developmental toxicant.  In 1989, EPA canceled all registrations of pesticides containing one form of bromoxynil -- bromoxynil butyrate -- because of the risk of developmental toxicity in pesticide handlers.  At that time, EPA also imposed new measures, since relaxed somewhat, limiting occupational exposure to avoid cancellation of other bromoxynil formulations (e.g., octanoate).

Bromoxynil also poses environmental threats -- it is highly toxic to broadleaf plants and fish.  Because it is a low-dose herbicide, even a small amount accidentally misapplied or blown from the site of application threatens wildlife habitats near fields.  A study in ponds in the prairie-pothole region of Canada demonstrated bromoxynil's toxicity to fish and showed that the herbicide in water is readily converted to a toxic derivative which persists for weeks after spray applications" (http://www.ibiblio.org/london/permaculture/mailarchives/sanet2/msg00005.html).

 

 

We spray for sheer convenience with chemicals that have known and many unknown potentials.  In the case of toxic chemical use we simply CANNOT THINK AHEAD because we cannot predict what a chemical will do when it is released unsupervised into the environment.  We are, therfore, fools by our own actions because we are failing to THINK AHEAD through playing Russian Roulette with the next generation's lives.  And this is precisely why this planet is in the mess its in, reeling like a drunkard from multiple and sustained attacks by a tragically pathogenic swarm of people almost uniformly participating in the literal destruction of AN ENTIRE PLANET.  Think locally, and then think globally.  What we all fail to do in the details ranks ultimately as a planet-wide error of judgement leading to GLOBAL WARMING.

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

ROUNDUP SPRAYED NEAR COMMUTERS

AT WINDSOR STATION!

 

On Wednesday 18th October 2006 at approx 10am I witnessed a pest contractor (or Council employee) walking through Windsor Station merrily and liberally spraying toxic Roundup weedicide amongst men, women, children and babies while it was windy.  I personally had to move quickly twice in order to avoid the spray drift!  I saw spray drift blow in the wind toward adults and children!

 

ROUNDUP IS HIGHLY TOXIC!

IT HAS BEEN LINKED TO NON-HODGKINS LYMPHOMA, ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER & MISCARRIAGES!  AND IT WAS BEING BEING SPRAYED ALL AROUND COMMUTERS STANDING AT WINDSOR STATION, AROUND CHILDREN AND BABIES!

 

SEE THE PHOTOS BELOW.

 

 

Figure 28  Pesticide Sprayed Next To Commuters At Windsor Station On A Windy Day: Spray Drift Occurred (the wind direction was generally easterly along the platform toward Blacktown) & People Were Exposed To A Toxic Nerve Agent! -- Photographed Wednesday 18th October 2006 @ approx 10am (Source: M. Thompson)
 

 

 

Figure 29  Toxic Roundup Was Sprayed All Along The Station (& Outside As Well) -- Photographed Wednesday 18th October 2006 @ approx 10am (Source: M. Thompson)
 

 

 

Figure 30  Immediately After The Spraying -- Photographed Wednesday 18th October 2006 @ approx 10am (Source: M. Thompson)
 

 

 

Figures 31 & 32  Pointless & Careless Spraying Was Witnessed: The 'Technician' Was Seen To Walk Along & Casually Spray A Grassed Strip Meters Long.  Photographed Wednesday 18th October 2006 @ approx 10am (Source: M. Thompson).

He swung his arms casually as he walked while spraying from the nozzle, and was not applying the pesticide in a careful, deliberate or focussed manner for a distance of 2-3 meters at least as if simply trying to use up the product -- the strip of dead grass is indicated by the above red enclosed area.  The photo below was taken a couple of seconds after this incident as the worker approached a concreted section of the 'nature strip'.  This type of abuse of a nerve agent product is, I believe, very common.  For example, an incident occurred above the shores of the then Fraser National Park (Lake Eildon National Park) during the 1970s.  A crew was seen to spray 2-4D recklessly (while driving in a similar manner) onto bushes and grass in order to empty the drum before 'smoko'.
 

 

* * *

 

LETTER #5: ROUNDUP SPRAYED IN MCQUADE AVENUE, SOUTH WINDSOR!

 

General Manager

Hawkesbury City Council

PO Box 146

Windsor NSW 2756

Thursday, 25^th January 2007

 

CC. Ms. Carolyn McDonagh, Safety Officer, Richmond High School, Lennox Street Richmond NSW 2753

General Manager, Hawkesbury City Council, PO Box 146 Windsor NSW 2756

Windsor Country Golf Club, McQuade Avenue, Sth. Windsor NSW 2756

Mr. Steven Pringle MP, State Member for Hawkesbury, hawkesbury@parliament.nsw.gov.au

John Aquilina MP, Member For Riverstone, PO Box 65 Stanhope Gardens NSW 2768

Windsor Police, 32 Bridge Road Windsor NSW 2756

Councillor Leigh Williams, Hawkesbury Council

Drs. Nagwa Morris & Louise Arnold, South Windsor Medical Practice, 508a George St., Sth. Windsor NSW 2756

Lee Rhiannon, MLC, The Greens, Parliament of New South Wales (lee.rhiannon@parliament.nsw.gov.au)

Sylvia Hale, MLC, The Greens, Parliament of New South Wales (sylvia.hale@parliament.nsw.gov.au)

Dr Frances Parker, Adjunct Professor, Academic Unit, School of Social Sciences, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC,
NSW 1797

Hawkesbury Gazette, 291 Windsor Street Richmond NSW 2753

Diana Buckland, Founder & Global Coordinator, Global Campaign for Recognition of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

(http://www.mcs-global.org/) (diana@mcs-global.org)

POISONED PEOPLE WEBSITE: http://poisonedpeople.com/index8.html#ROUNDUP SPRAYED IN MCQUADE

 

Dear Council:

 

I want to bring to your attention the absolutely pointless and deadly use of the Herbicide Roundup (or Broadside, etc, etc) in McQuade Avenue South Windsor on Thursday 18^th Jan. 2007.

 

The people in McQuade Avenue are exposed to Roundup by spraying done within the east perimeter fence of the Golf Club (spray which is directed outside the fence and which penetrates inside the backyards of families living adjacent), and now are also exposed through spraying by Council employees.

 

 

Figure 33  Spraying Herbicide In McQuade Avenue

PHOTO: Murray Thompson

Roundup is TOXIC TO HUMANS!  Please note the following scientific data:

Universally accepted data do show exposure to volatile organic compounds at levels far below

those usually associated with toxicity to the central nervous system may indeed trigger symptoms

consistent with panic attacks and depression…  MCS advocates support arguments that mental

disorder plays an important role in MCS symptoms. Since the brain is the seat of all emotions,

it should come as no surprise that depression, anxiety and disorientation become credible symptoms

of a neurological reaction to external chemical insults. (http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/pestqtrly/pq18-1b.htm)

 

The American Journal of Psychiatry has reported three clinical studies of patients who suffer from panic attacks

as a result of exposure to pesticides.

Panic attacks are a medically defined condition involving: confusion, disorientation, cold sweats, palpitations of

the heart, difficulty breathing, tremors, fatigue, muscular cramps, and chest tightness. 

The panic attacks became debilitating. These attacks were brought on by the organic solvents in pesticides and

were not dose related. These are examples of ecological illness, like an allergic reaction, to the presence of exotic

synthetic chemicals in the environment. If exposure to synthetic chemicals increases, more such medical problems

must be anticipated.  (http://www.ibiblio.org/london/pesticide-education/general/P.A.A.L.S)

Liver damage from Roundup exposure: http://www.naturescountrystore.com/roundup/page4.html

Cancer linked to Roundup (glyphosate):

A recent study by eminent oncologists Dr. Lennart Hardell and Dr. Mikael Eriksson of Sweden [1], has revealed clear links between one of the world's biggest selling herbicides, glyphosate, to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer [2]. (http://www.naturescountrystore.com/roundup/page8.html)

Roundup CONFIRMED as an endocrine disruptor:

In a new study by Walsh, McCormick, Martin, and Stocco1 of the Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, RoundUp has just been conclusively identified as an Endocrine Disruptor.

Roundup Inhibits Steroidogenesis by Disrupting Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory (StAR) Protein Expression. (http://www.naturescountrystore.com/roundup/page9.html)

Note also:

Stephen Dager et al., "Panic Disorder Precipitated by Exposure to Organic Solvents in the Workplace," American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 144, No.8 (August 1987), pp. l05~1058; U. Flodin, C. Edling, and 0. Axelson, "Clinical Studies of Psychoorganic Syndromes Among Workers with Exposure to Solvents," American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Vol.5 (1984), pp.287-295; and K. Lindstrom, H. Ruhimaki, and K. Hamminen, "Occupational Solvent Exposure and Neuropsychiatric Disorders," Scandinavian Journal of Work Environmental Health, Vol.10 (1984), pp.321-323.

 

[I have relatives living in McQuade Av., one of whom] is known to be chemical-sensitive (as per professional specialist diagnoses).  Given the above data – and noting that on the day of spraying [one of my relatives] suffered from a panic attack not long after the chemical application – I wish to formally demand that all spraying in McQuade Av. by Council cease and desist.

 

If spraying continues I will lodge a formal complaint with EPA, and will also approach The NSW Ombudsman’s Office, and the Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission.  Further, I will initiate inquiries into the viability of epidemiological studies in McQuade Avenue, as well as the viability of class actions should positive results be obtained (note: I will likely be able to get an epidemiological study performed free).

 

 

 

Figure 34  Most Weeds Missed, and Most of the Spray 'Wasted'

For more pictures below of wasted spray and faulty Council equipment, click HERE.

PHOTO: Murray Thompson

Council has no right whatsoever to inflict disease and other ailments upon residents, regardless of the convenience of using chemical preparations.  As well, the above photo should highlight the fact that this spraying is being done inadequately, with most of the spray hitting concrete rather than actual weeds.  Whatever the form the chemical application takes, Council is turning McQuade Avenue into a gas chamber, especially on hot, windless days (Roundup leaves residues for up to 1 year!).  I have previously written to Windsor Police and noted that chemical exposures are directly linked to aggressive behaviour in teenagers, and generally linked to anti-social behaviour in adults.  With the human population of McQuade Avenue being exposed to neuro-toxins on at least 2 fronts, these statements really should inspire some intelligent thinking.

Regards,

MurrayThompson
BaAppSci Environmental Health 1998,
Hons I Social Ecology 1999, University of Western Sydney - Hawkesbury
PO Box 5761
South Windsor LPO
NSW 2756
Australia
 

 

* * *

 

 

EMAIL SENT TO NEWSPAPERS &

RICHMOND HIGH SCHOOL

To: newspapers

(mail.hawkgazette@ruralpress.com
shletters@mail.fairfax.com.au
letters@smh.com.au
penrithpress@cng.newsltd.com.au
hawkesbury@fairfax.com.au)

Subject: Asthma Increase In Kids Returning To School

It is that time of the year again, when our kids go back to school.

And the same old orthodox medical 'wives tales' get trotted out by the Asthma Foundation regarding the "unknown causes" of the increase in asthma-related admissions to hospital at the beginning of the first term (and, more generally, the increase in infectious diseases).

The cause is known amongst those who bother to investigate the toxicological factors inherent in the return to school.

Kids, during their summer break, have been exposed to well travelled friends and relatives. Yet, for many, they wait till they return to school before they get sick. Why? Our kids' immune systems were strengthened during their break because of the exposure to fresh air, sun and extra exercise. But suddenly, upon their return to school, our kids are exposed to school rooms that have been shut up all summer, and that may be even further sealed for air conditioning at the start of classes. As well, you need to factor in a school environment that may have seen the painting of steel and woodwork, the laying of new floor coverings during the break, the spraying of weeds with herbicide, and the treatment of insect pests with pesticide.

Pesticides are neurotoxins which also suppress the IMMUNE SYSTEM. Herbicides are also now linked to ADD. And floor coverings, like many of the paints, lacquers, particle board components and other building materials used in school construction and maintenance, give off volatile organic compounds (VOC's) which attack the immune system.

The reason, in a returning child, for the manifestation of a holiday infection that would have otherwise remained controlled or finally eliminated, and the reason for the explosion of asthma symptoms, is the sudden exposure of the kids to an environment filled with TOXIC CHEMICALS. Kids have been plunged into a toxic school environment where they are inhaling VOC's for at least 5-6 hours per day.

More specifically, a carpet cleaning solution typically used in Australian schools called "Heat Wave", contains a chemical called Sodium Nitrilotriacetate. This chemical was of such concern in the US that, in 1970, "major US detergent manufacturers voluntarily agreed... to discontinue use and manufacture of trisodium nitrilotriacetate (NTA)... [because a preliminary report suggested] that NTA might enhance the matricidal, foeticidal and teratogenic effects of cadmium chloride and methyl mercury in rats." (http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v239/n5369/abs/239231b0.html and http://www.sriconsulting.com/PEP/Reports/Phase_83/RW83-1-3/RW83-1-3.html)

This product's Material Safety Data Sheet information includes: respiratory irritation if inhaled, and eye and skin irritation or burning with exposure (http://msds.ogden.disa.mil/msds/owa/web_msds.display?imsdsnr=194545). There is also evidence of CARCINOGENICITY in terms of tumours forming in the urinary tracts of exposed rats (same website and also http://www.spartanchemical.com/sfa/MSDSRep.nsf/DocId/8fbc2ec9939ae15585257161006a81c0!OpenDocument), blurred vision, central nervous system effects, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and headache (http://www.prochem.com/msds.shtm).

Inadequate statements that say the cause of the asthma increase is unknown, or that very generally implicate stress, the change of environment, or catching a cold or flu virus, weakly skirt around the CENTRAL ISSUE OF TOXICOLOGY in terms of kids returning to school. This is a CHEMICAL ISSUE, a TOXICOLOGICAL ISSUE, and the sooner we all decide to protect our children from toxic chemicals and put their health first (rather than commercial chemical interests), the sooner we will have children who can perform at their optimum level, both academically at school, and physically in terms of their general health. If we fail to eliminate toxic chemicals from our lives we shall, in a slightly longer perspective, become the first species to engineer our own Extinction Level Event (http://poisonedpeople.com/globalhealth).

MurrayThompson
BaAppSci Environmental Health 1998,
Hons I Social Ecology 1999, University of Western Sydney - Hawkesbury
PO Box 5761
South Windsor LPO
NSW 2756
Australia

HAVE YOU BEEN POISONED?
Did you know that many kinds of poisoning are typically misdiagnosed as stomach pains or the flu? Did you know that a chemical barrier termiticide treatment can lead to nerve agent chemicals diffusing through the concrete slab under your home and vaporizing into the internal living space? That you can suffer joint pains, leg pain, chronic fatigue, depression, and BRAIN DAMAGE from these PESTICIDES? Did you know that herbicides (commonly used weedkillers like RoundUp) have been linked to an increased risk of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (Cancer), MISCARRIAGES and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)?

See my website: Poisoned People. dot com

 

* * *

THE SPRAY DRIFT COMETH!

ALL MUST INHALE!

 

On Thursday 1st March 2007 at 9:55am I noticed Council spraying taking

place at Memorial Park in Tebbutt Street Windsor.  I did not see any

signage erected prior to spraying, though there was a sign at times visible

on the spray 'truck' itself.

 

No signs were visible on or near this grassed area one hour after spraying, and yet anyone (including children) could have wandered onto this grassed area on Memorial Park without having any knowledge of the weedicide application.  Kiddies could have slipped over on the wet grass and taken home contaminated clothing, allowing the pesticide to be spread to the whole family (including highly vulnerable infants) via the family washing machine!  At all material times during the spraying (and after) a host of sporting participants at the Bowling Club were exposed.

 

I then photographed numerous people who were all exposed to the spray drift as they were all downwind  from the Council employee doing the spraying at the Council buildings across the road from the Park.

 

Note:

 

Figure 35  Numerous People At The Bowling Club Exposed to Toxic Nerve Agents

 

 

Figure 36  No Signage To Warn of Pesticide Contamination

 

 

 

Figure 37  Spraying Continues.  Meanwhile, Men, Women and Infants Just Meters Away are Exposed Downwind to the Nerve Agents.  For a much larger image (over 1 MB in size) click the above image.  It is not the exact same image as the above picture, but it more clearly shows the spray emissions, while also demonstrating the proximity of adults, toddlers and babies downwind from the application point.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 38  A Young Couple Exposed.  They Do Not Have the 'Benefit' of the Largely Useless Mask Used by the Council Worker (which doesn't protect him anyway -- so much for OH&S).  "Spraying is to cease when people are in the vicinity" (Chris Daley, Director Infrastructure Services, Hawkesbury Council, May 2007).

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 39  The Spraying Continues.  Click the image above for a much larger original of the above reduced version of the scene.

 

 

 

Figure 40  Now Another 7 People and Infants Exposed!  A Total of 50 or More People Exposed Within Just a 5-Minute Period (yes, even cars exposed to spray drift where the car goes home and little kiddies innocently grasp door handles carrying pesticide residue).  Once Released into the Environment, Pesticide Travels Widely and Poisons People Widely, Making Tracing Origins Very Difficult Without Rigorous Chemical Testing.

 

 

"Whilst the photos were not clear enough to determine if the staff person was actually spraying when people were walking past..."

(Chris Daley, Director Infrastructure Services, Hawkesbury Council, 2007).

 

HUH!???

 

Also, click HERE (FOR A MUCH LARGER IMAGE OF THE SPRAYING).

 

Figure 40.1 (above)  Just in case anyone questions that people were exposed, the detail above clearly specifies spraying occurring while residents are walking past AND DOWNWIND from the Council employee doing the spraying.

 

I will make a point, once my legal case against the NSW Department of Housing goes to trial, of demanding -- through the courtroom and wider media -- that the identification and tracking of dangerous chemicals be facilitated (and be made readily available to the general public).  Perhaps some kind of 'tagging' could be adopted whereby all large bodies receive their poisons labelled in order to ID the source.  Better still, of course, would be the elimination of these nerve agents (& their careless usage substituted with better practices and natural alternatives) and the cessation of the Chemical World War III Extinction Level Event against the general public!!  But, oh, does that sound fanatical?  Appreciate that what appears impossible only seems that way according to the level of indoctrination you have received since you were born.  We have limitations in our thinking applied to us, and we apply limitations to ourselves, constantly.

 

 

 

 

Figure 41  DON'T TRIP!!  And this, after I walked past and kicked one of the TWO BROOMS laying across the footpath onto the nature strip...

Is there anything in any of the above photos that demonstrates a genuine Duty of Care toward the general public?

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT: ASSISTANCE FROM AN MP OVER SPRAYING IN THE HAWKESBURY

 

 

CLICK THIS IMAGE FOR THE FULL LETTER (19TH MARCH 2007)

 

 

 

 

MY REPLY TO THE ABOVE LETTER FORWARDED TO ME BY JOHN AQUILINA, MP

 

 

Murray Thompson

Wed. 11^th April 2007

John Aquilina MP

Member For Riverstone

PO Box 65

Stanhope Gardens

NSW 2768

Dear Mr. Aquilina:

Thankyou very much for your recent letter.  I do appreciate your continuing follow-up on this issue of herbicide spraying in Windsor/South Windsor (attached).

The copy of the Council letter you have provided me appears to state that spraying will still occur regardless of the health status of the residents located within the spray zone.  This is entirely unacceptable.  If one has Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) as my son (who lives part-time with his mom in McQuade Avenue South Windsor) and I have, you simply will be chemically injured whenever chemical trespass occurs.  The Hawkesbury Council cannot prevent chemical trespass happening because herbicide vapours travel from the point of application.

Further to the Council’s letter, I find it objectionable that the Council have patently lied when they say: “Chemical are always used sparingly…”  Please note my PoisonedPeople website link below.  It shows photos I took in McQuade Avenue Sth. Windsor explicitly proving that herbicide is sprayed by Council in a casual and wasteful manner:

http://poisonedpeople.com/index8.html#ROUNDUP%20SPRAYED%20IN%20MCQUADE (or: http://poisonedpeople.com/index8.html#ROUNDUP SPRAYED IN MCQUADE).

The Council’s letter also said: “Pesticides are applied in public places by trained staff in a safe, responsible manner.”  As well, please note the following link that displays photos I recently took of Council spraying in Windsor.  Note that herbicide was sprayed onto wet grass in Memorial Park.  The Council employee left this spray site without posting any warning to kiddies that might walk and play on the sprayed grass.  He essentially left behind a contaminated site that would see herbicide transferred onto shoes (and potentially kiddies hands and mouths) and, by extension, back to the homes of the residents that visited the Park.

http://poisonedpeople.com/index8.html#SPRAY%20DRIFT (or: http://poisonedpeople.com/index8.html#SPRAY DRIFT).

As well, the Park was sprayed with elderly people present just a few meters away at the Bowling Club.

Note also that the Council Chamber area across the road from Memorial Park was sprayed.  On the day, all the people (including women, children and infants) visible in these Council Chamber photos were downwind from the spraying and were exposed to the spray drift!  I was downwind and I could smell the chemical (a ‘kerosene-like, synthetic odour).  Not even the Council employee was adequately protected.  The useless mask he wore would neither stop skin contact from the spray drift, nor the inhalation of the toxic solvents included in the spray mixture.  His clothing would absorb the spray.  Is he given warnings re not washing his work clothes in the family washing machine and cross contaminating his family?  What might OH&S regulations stipulate here?  This is a very serious matter, and one not usually addressed because we, as a westernized and chemicalized culture, have been introduced to the dynamics of chemical spraying gradually, without being made aware:

1.  of the toxicity of these chemicals

2.  that exposure is easy and is chemical trespass and assault (or “chemical insult”) as much as a physical violation of our property can be trespass (or break and enter) and assault (or grievous bodily harm).

I am in the position I am because the Dept. of Housing ‘assaulted’ me in my home with a chemical (termiticide).  This is why I am suing them, and why my case will set precedents.

Regards,

____________________________

(Murray Thompson)

 

CLICK THIS IMAGE FOR THE FULL LETTER (MAY 2007)

 

MY REPLY TO THE ABOVE LETTER FORWARDED TO ME BY JOHN AQUILINA, MP

 

 

Murray Thompson

Monday 28^th May 2007

John Aquilina MP

Member For Riverstone

PO Box 65

Stanhope Gardens

NSW 2768

 

CC. Diana Buckland, Founder & Global Coordinator, Global Campaign for Recognition of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, 4 Mia St. Kallangur Qld 4503 (http://www.mcs-global.org/) Hazel.Blunden@parliament.nsw.gov.au (Sylvia Hale, MLC, The Greens, Parliament of New South Wales) Ms. Carolyn McDonagh, Safety Officer, Richmond High School Councilor Leigh Williams, Hawkesbury Council Drs. Nagwa Morris & Louise Arnold, South Windsor Medical Practice Lee Rhiannon, MLC, The Greens, Parliament of New South Wales Dr Frances Parker, Adjunct Professor, University of Western Sydney Windsor Police Station Windsor Country Golf Club

Dear Mr. Aquilina:

I thank you very much for your recent letter in which you provide the Hawkesbury Council’s reply to my very serious concerns over pesticide spraying.  I repeat my appreciation for your help here in continuing the follow-up on the incredibly important public health issue of herbicide spraying in Windsor/South Windsor (attached).

The copy of the Council letter you have provided me needs to be addressed thus:

1.  Council did not adequately or specifically address the fact of a photo showing the results of careless/pointless spraying in McQuade Avenue.  The location of the photo is: http://poisonedpeople.com/index8.html#careless-spraying).  It shows that weeds were clearly missed, and that must contradict Council’s assertion that spraying is professionally implemented.  Council’s pontificating over supposed courses run and credentials gained by operators is meaningless if the work results are below standard[1].  At the very least – even though I abhor spraying because of its inherent chemical trespass and notable toxicity to children – I want what is done to be professionally executed.  I might be being picky on this issue of POISON, but this herbicide (like all pesticides) is an example of a TOXIC NERVE AGENT.  Saddam was brutally successful in eliminating Kurds via similar chemical compounds, so he must have been more of a “professional” than the operator who sprayed in McQuade Avenue…

2.  Further, in paragraph 6 of Council’s letter, Council notes that PPE (cotton overalls or equivalent, eye protection, hat, gloves) are required by the MSDS.  Residents walking past a spray in progress are required to wear WHAT for their protection??  Please see: http://poisonedpeople.com/index8.html#councilspray9small-detail (Figure 40.1 on my webpage) for evidence of this stark contradiction and patently worthless MSDS doctrine, and for proof that spray was actually being ejected from the spray nozzle of the Council employee (what else would be happening with a spray nozzle in a public place for God’s sake…).  Note, as well, that a gentleman is walking past not 3 meters from the action.  Note: 3 meters and downwind.  Figures 37, 38 and 40 on http://poisonedpeople.com/index8.html clearly show people walking past DOWNWIND from a spray in progress, so how can Council possibly state: “Whilst the photos were not clear enough to determine if the staff person was actually spraying when people were walking past…”   ???????????????????  This is like saying: “I don’t recall…”  While the analogy is not perfect, the attitude of evasion is obvious in Council’s reply; a firm indication of fear of litigation much more (unfortunately) than the springing to action of a genuine corporate conscience that is concerned for the welfare of adults and infants, and willing to bend over backwards to protect public health from nerve-shattering chemical insult.  This is a shame; it is representative of lax (or worse) behavior.  It is not professional, and it is ultimately totalitarian and uncaring behaviour.  Lack of empathy was seen by one investigator at the end of the 2nd World War during the investigations leading to the Nuremburg Trials as the most basic and signature characteristic of evil…  Everything has meaning, though in this issue, we really see a movement on a spectrum toward that which is evil (and we all err in this regard throughout our lives).  There is a continuum between good and evil, and we all have to choose the direction we are going.

On the point of the potential for class actions, the other photos – I repeat – CONFIRM that numerous other people, including children and babies (who were not wearing protective overalls, etc) were exposed to spray drift.  For epidemiological purposes, should one want to create a partial list of people exposed, one could simply note the number plates of the vehicles driving past (taken from high-res digital photos), and submit the list for future identification.  As well, a simple interview of the footpath occupants could be easily engineered as an Environmental Health Degree assignment for UWS Applied Science students.  This would alert people to the exposure and to the potential for symptoms – especially in babies and children – of pesticide intoxication, such as abdominal pains (many such symptoms of pesticide poisoning are typically misdiagnosed as having other causes).  If necessary, an Occupational or Industrial Hygienist could swab vehicles or skin and test for pesticide residue.  Some of these tests are available through Adelaide Uni and other places (including, of course, the US).

3.  Hawkesbury Council Letter (paragraph 4):  “Whilst Mr Thompson seems reluctant to contact Council staff directly to solve his issues…”  These are not just my issues.  They are public health issues!  This is why I am taking this issue into a public forum.  I have contacted Council on numerous occasions (letters dated: May 23^rd 2005; July 2^nd 2005; Jan. 10^th 2006; Feb. 1^st 2006; April 20^th 2006, and other times as well with hand-written letters and phone calls).  Some of my letters were not answered, and the evidence for ongoing mismanagement of spraying (as well as a Council-admitted incapacity to prevent the Windsor Country Golf Club from spraying toxic herbicide against the back fences of numerous houses in McQuade Avenue) was so obvious that I felt it time to enlist you, John, as well as Greens representatives, in promoting worthwhile change.

Also, I no longer attempt to contact Council directly because my nerves are shot to pieces from the stress of legal action, the stress of poisoning, and dealing with a poisoned child.  If Council is upset over the brutally grinding regimen of answering letters through a concerned MP who should be kept up-to-date re issues such as this, then Council should consider trying on MCS for size and see what chronic fatigue does to energy levels.  Also, I am not quick witted by nature (I am a self-published author, not an orator), and the poisoning has so affected my Central Nervous System that I am only capable of effectively addressing issues such as this through the generous and thoughtful latitude provided by letter correspondence.  You see, I am reasonably intelligent, so there-is-a-reason-for-how-I-do-what-I-do.  As usual, though, the presumption is that an MCS victim is normal and capable of doing everything everyone else can do with regular ease.  Hopefully, nutritional therapy will help to minimize my problem with concentration and response time in the future.

4.  Council Letter (paragraph 4): “…he and his son will be placed on the register so that staff are aware of their sensitivity and thus not spray in the vicinity of the two homes in question.”  Will this concession be applied to all Council residents who notify the Council of a health status equal or similar to MCS, or does this only deal with people like me who complain loudly enough?

5.  Yes, I am against spraying entirely (paragraph 9).  The reason for this is: I am against the poisoning of men, woman, children, infants and the structure of ecology that maintains life on Earth in a natural and healthy state.  In other words, chemical sprays introduce unfathomable and infinite toxic complexities into human life and public health.  In looking at the Big Picture, I anticipate likely cause and effect, which is the only intelligent way to live.  Otherwise we are all blind, and blindly trusting in Science and its paradigm of short term gain, and unconsciousness and lethargy in the face of a natural world where everything is connected to everything else.  Therefore, everything has consequences.

Look, I’ve experienced pesticide poisoning first-hand, and to the extreme.  Combined with my research, I know:

a/  That pesticide contributes toward aggressive behavior in children and teens.

b/  Pesticides contribute toward ADHD.

c/  That pesticides of all kinds (insecticides, herbicides/weedicides, fungicides) are a major factor (along with drug abuse) in ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour.  I have advised Windsor Police about this issue, but they cannot act upon it because their bureaucracy is not really 'connected' to most other bureaucracies.  My point here being that we divide everything up so much that the Police must unfortunately address the obscure effects of aggressive behaviour as an outcome of toxicological issues, while these very issues are being ignored by those who could do something about them.  Has anyone really considered the notion of cooperation?

d/  That these toxic nerve agents are a significant factor in pathological depression and SUICIDE.  But, who cares about these sociological monsters?  It’s more important to flood our environment with poisons so we can get rid of unsightly weeds.  We must not see weeds!

So, excuse me for wishing the BEST for society and humanity in general, and not wanting to take the easy chemical fix when I KNOW, first hand, how badly pesticide affects the mind.  I nearly committed suicide because of this stuff.  That shouldn’t be a surprise: pesticides are designed TO KILL.  That means pesticides will not enhance human thinking and emotions.  Pesticides will, rather, DEGRADE the quality of the human psyche.  ALL EFFORTS should be made to engage research  that defines natural/safer means of dealing with pests of all kinds (see: http://www.thebestcontrol.com/sitemap.htm).  I’ve advised the Council to put in deep plastic borders around kiddies playground softfall, so that weeds (eg Kikuyu) don’t invade the material and can be cut back easily with a grass cutter.  That way, ALSO, these playgrounds can be maintained, not as contaminated sites (with Roundup residue that remains for over a year), but as safe places for infants and children to frequent.

6.  I have now blurred the facial features of all Council employees in the photos (last paragraph of the Council letter) on my website, as a concession to Council.  However, removing the photos would be an assault on transparency, and would not allow the general public to see what the problems are, where the dangers are, and exactly what the issues are.  If a Council employee is spraying near residents (as my photos CLEARLY show), then people deserve to know the truth.  All efforts toward the censorship of free knowledge should be resisted.  I would only remove the photos if the employees were wearing swimsuits…

*   *   *

Thanks again, John, for your time and patience.  The issue of MCS is growing daily as more people become aware – through Science, strangely – of the better defined links between Chemical Trespass and human health problems.  An excellent example of humans ‘intelligently’ monitoring and reporting on their own extinction…

BTW, I will be moving soon out of the State, so Council can breathe a sigh of relief.  I’m moving because it is just too dangerous to remain in the Hawkesbury Valley.  This place is filling to the brim with toxic and residual pesticides and I don’t want to be around for the massive increase in anti-social behaviour that is now showing.  If people who are supposed to protect us with the best of Best Practice and the best of research want to wallow in clouds of dangerous chemical unknowns, then they will get what they deserve for knowingly remaining ignorant. 

The Nazis, on the other hand, knew what toxic gas does to people and diligently applied their poisons for specific and utterly reprehensible, wilfully-committed ends.  They were not contradictory in their actions, nor were they hypocrites.  Our community leaders, however, neither demonstrate the discipline needed to truly maximize life and health, nor a genuine willingness to really understand the chemicals they use.  Again, our efforts in Government today can be seen as less ‘professional’ than actions prosecuted by mass murderers.

John, I will place these letters on my website with grateful thanks for your tremendous assistance with this issue.  I believe progress has been made.  You should know that my poisoned people website ranks number one worldwide in Google for the keywords: “poisoned people”.  Do your people have a photo of you (a good quality digital one) that could be emailed to me at dreedlegilf@yahoo.com that I can position above these letters (if you so wish)?

Regards,

____________________________

(Murray Thompson)

---

[1]  I note here that pest operators – back in the 70s – at the then Fraser National Park near Eildon – on at least one occasion randomly sprayed around 20 litres or more of herbicide (a 2-4D variety) over the hillsides bordering Lake Eildon (from which is extracted the township’s water supply…) in order to qualify for an on-time morning tea break.  If spray in McQuade Av. and elsewhere obviously does not hit the mark (as shown by the photo), then we have grounds for all kinds of suspicions.

 

 

 

SUBJECT: MASSIVE SPRAYING OF HERBICIDE ALONG HAWKESBURY RIVER

 

Place your mouse over the picture of the bank of the Hawkesbury River at Windsor (in North-West Sydney).  The picture will move in response to your mouse.  Observe how much herbicide has been sprayed and how much weed foliage (likely Balloon Vine) is dead.  The vine is growing back with a vengeance, and the river is poisoned.  Don't swim in this river because herbicide -- especially Roundup -- has been linked (via the best US research) to miscarriages, ADHD in teens, and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (cancer).  Photos taken Thursday 20th March 2008.

 

 

 

Figure 42  Balloon vine sprayed with herbicide on the river bank down from the Riverview Centre (looking approx. west on the right side of image to approx. south on the left side of image).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 43  Riverbank (looking approx. west on the right side of image to approx. south on the left side of image).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 44  Riverbank farther south along Hawkesbury (looking approx. west to south, right to left).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 45  Riverbank (looking north).

 

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT:  EARLY APRIL 2008 -- COUNCIL SPRAYS PICNIC AREA NEXT TO RIVER

 

Mind where you walk, what you pick up.  Mind where your kids or pets tred, because they might be standing in, crawling on, or even rolling in grass sprayed with the world's most popular weedicide: Roundup.  Also a nasty chemical concoction known to cause cancer, ADHD and miscarriages.  However, it's really more important to keep the weeds down, isn't it?  After all, how else would we control the weeds?  See below for the Council's solution to this problem.

 

 

Figure 46  EARLY APRIL 2008  Spraying the edge of the walkway.  An edge that is made perfectly for weeds to invade, thus necessitating the intervention of weedicide.  Pity the walkway wasn't designed better in the first instance...

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 47  EARLY APRIL 2008  No matter where you tred, there will be the weedicide and its residues.  The pest technician confirmed that he was using Roundup.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 48  10/04/2008  People walk, kids run and dogs play on areas previously sprayed with weedicide/herbicide.  Faces covered to conceal identity (just in case they're Council workers).  Transparency, accountability, culpability & democracy...

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 49  10/04/2008  And as the sun went down on the Hawkesbury River, we can say it is also going down on the human species (and amphibian life in/near the River) locally, insofar as the Council's contribution to a worldwide Extinction Level Event is concerned.

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT:  A POSSIBLE COUNCIL SOLUTION TO SPRAYING PEOPLE AND PROPERTY WITH TOXIC NERVE AGENTS

 

Pulling the bloody weeds out with your hands!

It can be done.  Here's PROOF!

 

 

 

Figure 50  20th May 2008  Council worker doing the right thing.  He should be congratulated, though he is just being paid to do the right thing as much as he (and others) are being paid to do the wrong thing when they spray.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 51  20th May 2008  It might be old-fashioned, but pulling weeds really is non-toxic, as long as they haven't previously been sprayed.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 52  20th May 2008  If the pathway has been properly designed, then an edge trimmer can be used instead of spraying a carcinogen for kiddies to pick up and suck off their fingers.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 53  20th May 2008  I repeat: an edge trimmer is a better option than nerve agents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT: UNKNOWN SPRAY APPLICATION ALONG THE BACK FENCES OF MCQUADE AVENUE (SOUTH WINDSOR) RESIDENCES IN SYDNEY -- DETAILED PHOTOS TAKEN, May 2008

SPRAY SAMPLES TAKEN FOR LATER FORENSIC ANALYSIS by the Victorian Institute of Forensic Pathology

 

 

 

The Windsor Country Golf Club has again, in 2008, apparently hosted the spraying of an unknown variety of herbicide against the porous and damaged back fences of numerous houses on the west side of McQuade Avenue in South Windsor.

The identity of the technician who sprayed the material (and was him/herself exposed) is unknown.  Who the technician works for (who employed him/her) is also unknown.

 

 

AND THIS DESPITE NUMEROUS WARNINGS FROM ME OVER EXTENDED TIME AT LEAST GENERALLY REGARDING THE TOXIC NATURE OF PESTICIDES, AND AT TIMES SPECIFICALLY NOTING THE CHEMICALLY SENSITIVE MEDICAL CONDITION OF MY SON (who lives with his mother in McQuade Avenue South Windsor) IN LETTERS DATED:

• Monday, May 23, 2005 -- Where I warned the Council and Golf Club of my and my son's previous poisoning with pesticide in my Dept. of Housing residence in Bligh Park (my legal action against the Dept. is due to go to trial within approx. 7 months);

• Tuesday, January 10th, 2006 -- Where I warned that my son was chemical sensitive;

• 20 April, 2006 -- Where I again warned of my son's chemical sensitivity;

• 25 January 2007 -- Where I detail pesticide exposure emanating from the golf club, my son's chemical sensitivity condition, and general pesticide-related illnesses;

• Monday, 28th May 2007 -- Where I detail spray drift exposure of Hawkesbury residents and general pesticide poisoning impacts known to research

 

THEREFORE, THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS BEG ANSWERS:

• IS AN ACTION SUCH AS CHEMICAL TRESPASS (where a toxic material wanders from its point of application onto your property and potentially onto YOU, your PETS,  and your KIDS) AN ACT OF WILLFULL ASSAULT WHEN THE PARTY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TOXIC AGENT APPLICATION HAS BEEN WELL AND TRULY FOREWARNED (in hardcopy letter, by email & via this website).  WARNED THAT THE VARIETY OF CHEMICALS USED FOR KILLING WEEDS ARE U.S. RESEARCH-PROVEN  HUMAN HEALTH THREATS, AND THAT A CHILD NEAR THE APPLICATION ZONE IS HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO CHEMICAL INJURY (AS SPECIFICALLY HIGHLIGHTED IN THAT CHILD'S MEDICAL REPORTS)?

• GIVEN THAT INJURY IS COMMON IN BOTH CHEMICAL WARFARE AND HERBICIDE SPRAYING, WHY IS HERBICIDE APPLICATION THAT IS KNOWN BY REPUTABLE OVERSEAS RESEARCH TO HAVE NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL & HUMAN HEALTH IMPACTS ACCEPTABLE TO AUTHORITIES?

• IF THE EPA, THE COUNCIL, & THE POLICE CAN'T STOP THE GOLF CLUB SPRAYING POISONOUS CHEMICALS INTO PEOPLE'S BACK YARDS, THEN SOMEWHERE SOME FUNCTION (OR DYSFUNCTION) HAS IN A SENSE LEGALIZED THIS TOTAL DISTORTION OF 'PUBLIC HEALTH'.  WHO IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR NOT LOOKING AFTER PUBLIC HEALTH IN THIS VITALLY IMPORTANT AREA? 

 

I AM TRYING TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM CHEMICALS THAT CAUSE ASTHMA, ADHD, CANCER & MISCARRIAGES. 

WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE WRONG WITH THAT?

 

I have found and photographed a variety of recent spray impacts along the east perimeter fence of the Golf Club and along the back fences of residences backing onto the Golf Club's east perimeter fence.  Please observe the photos below showing:

1.  Green sprayed patches along the fence line and around the bases of trees inside the Golf Club's fence.

2.  Sprayed/contaminated items I picked up from the approx. 1 meter gap between the Club's east perimeter fence and the back fences of McQuade Avenue homes.

3.  Grass and other items (such as golf balls, leaves and feathers) I had handled with bare hands and removed from within this gap and put into the backyard of a McQuade Avenue home, before I realized that spraying had been enacted.

 

Notes below each photo provide explicit information ABOUT THE SPRAY, WHEN I NOTICED IT, THE VISIBLE EFFECTS/APPEARANCE OF THE MATERIALS/ITEMS SPRAYED, AND IMPLICATIONS.

 

It is time for a CLASS ACTION against those who wilfully expose the community to danger.

 

 

 

 

Figure 54  TUESDAY 20/05/2008  An emerald-like green colored spray around trees and along the east perimeter fence line of the Golf Club's property.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 55  20/05/2008  The spray is fairly obvious.  However, I didn't notice it until I had finished weeding in the one meter zone between the Club's east perimeter fence and the back fence of my son's house.  I then went indoors and washed my hands in the bathroom sink.  See the photos below of the green muck that came off my hands.

 

Via overspray (spray that extends beyond the application target) this material (or solvent/hydrocarbon parts thereof) is now likely inside the homes of every residence backing onto the Golf Club where the spray was applied against the Club's fence and the private residents' back fences.  HOW?

 

The children have likely played in their backyards and stepped in the herbicide residues, or touched their pets that have contacted grass carrying resdidue.  1 + 1 = 2.  The adults there have probably walked at some point through their backyards, thus carrying the spray residue inside their homes where their children have contacted the material on the lino and carpets.  1 + 1 + 1 = 3.

 

Note: "it is reasonable to assume that fine particles containing 2,4-D can be resuspended from residential turf by wind, penetrate the exterior of the home through cracks and crevices, windows, and doors, and be deposited on interior surfaces.  Field simulation studies following lawn applications of 2,4-D, chlorpyrifos, and chlorothalonil have shown that residential track-in of pesticide residues can occur, and that walking over treated turf as much as one week after application can transport residues on shoes from turf to carpets (8,9)."  More specifically, in terms of the Experimental Methods used in this study: "Study design.  We made assumptions to link sampling methods with both transport mechanisms and exposure pathways.  First, specific sampling methods and sampling locations inside the home could be used to assess the magnitude and relative importance of both transport mechanisms and exposure pathways.  Second, spray drift, intrusion of resuspended foliar residues, and track-in would contribute to indoor residue levels.  Third, foliar resuspension intrusion might be detectable in indoor air on the third day after application; lacking that, this intrusion would cause detectable and equal deposition to floors, sills, and table tops throughout a house.  Fourth, track-in would include residues brought in on the applicator's shoes and clothing as well as residues tracked in on subsequent days, and would produce a residue concentration gradient from the entry point" 

('Distribution of 2,4-D in air and on surfaces inside residences after lawn applications: comparing exposure estimates from various media for young children', Environmental Health Perspectives, Nov, 2001 by Marcia G. Nishioka, Robert G. Lewis, Marielle C. Brinkman, Hazel M. Burkholder, Charles E. Hines, John R. Menkedick; BNET AUSTRALIA, http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CYP/is_/ai_82288613; accessed: 12th Oct. 2008).

 

Note also: 'Glyphosate Residues In Alberta’s Atmospheric Deposition, Soils And Surface Waters', Dave Humphries, Gary Byrtus, & Anne-Marie Anderson; Prepared for: Water Research Users Group, Alberta Environment, May 24, 2005 (http://environment.gov.ab.ca/info/library/6444.pdf): "This study was designed to explore some of the pathways of glyphosate to surface waters such as atmospheric deposition, emissions during spraying, and persistence in soil; the study also included the monitoring of water from selected streams and wetlands...  Glyphosate was not detected in any of the air samples collected with polyurethane foam (PUF) samples but it was detected in some of the particulate samples.  The detection of glyphosate in soil samples 10 months after spraying was indicative of some persistence...  This study determined that glyphosate is transported in association with particulate matter (dust) and not as vapour.  Detections in precipitation are more likely due to glyphosate associated with
dust particles being washed down with rain than to glyphosate dissolved in rain".

 

 

 

BUT WHAT OF THE OTHER COMPONENTS OF HERBICIDE MIXTURES?  CAN THEY BE INHALED?  YES!  Children, adults and pets have likely inhaled the herbicide's vapors, and -- if so -- the chemical(s) would be already insinuated into the metabolic pathways of residents at the very least on the west side of McQuade Avenue facing the Golf Club. 

 

"Do not inhale vapour or spray mist.  Repeated exposure may cause allergic disorders" ('SUPERWAY BROADLEAF BINDII &
CLOVER SELECTIVE HERBICIDE' [note: "SOLVENT: 256 g/L HYDROCARBON LIQUID"], http://superway.com.au/Labels/Superway%20Broadleaf%20Bindii%20%20Clover%20Herbicide%20(approved%20text%20%200504).pdf; accessed: 12th Oct. 2008).

 

"If inhaled, remove to fresh air and keep at rest.  Obtain medical advice if symptoms are experienced.  If breathing stops or shows signs of failing, start artificial respiration.  Call for prompt medical attention...  Combustible liquid.  Will damage eyes.  Very toxic to aquatic plants and algae." ('Atlantis ® OD Selective Herbicide', Agricultural herbicide, MSDS, http://www.bayercropscience.com.au/resources/products/msds/Atlantis%20OD_MSDS_0108.pdf; accessed: 12 Oct. 2008).

 

"Inhalation: The acute inhalation toxicity is low and absorption of harmful amounts by inhalation is unlikely.  Prolonged exposure to solvent vapours from the concentrate may cause eye and respiratory irritation, headache, dizziness and narcotic effects ('Gallant NF Herbicide', note: " Selectively controls grass weeds in white clover, forestry, orchards, nurseries, non-crop areas and certain broadleaf crops"; http://www.propserv.otago.ac.nz/Web/WsInternet/msds/DownloadFile.aspx?Download=0&File=Gallant-NF.pdf; accessed: 12 Oct. 2008).

AND...

 

"Toxicokinetics.  The lipophilicity of many organic solvents facilitates their absorption after inhalation or oral or dermal exposure (Bruckner and Warren, 2001). Because of their volatility, the major route of occupational exposure to solvents is inhalation...  Following inhalation exposure most solvents are absorbed rapidly and extensively into the pulmonary and arterial circulation. Some solvents are metabolized to less toxic compounds, others to more toxic compounds or toxic intermediates. Regardless of the route of exposure, unmetabolized lipophilic solvents are distributed predominantly to fatty tissues" ('SOLVENT TOXICOLOGY', in Gulf War and Health: Volume 2. Insecticides and Solvents 2003; The National Academies Press, http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=10628&page=82; accessed: 12 Oct. 2008).

 

Further note: "In the earlier study by Martinez et al. (1990), an oral dose with Roundup RTU or Roundup concentrate caused delayed (6 hours) pulmonary edema, consistent with clinical observations in humans, as summarized above.  The authors concluded that " . . . delayed pulmonary edema combined with blood stained weeping from the nose, diarrhea, distended GI tract, and ascites is in excellent agreement with...  The clinical picture of... hypovolemic shock,” as described by Sawada et al. (1988).  In the individuals involved in the Taiwan studies of glyphosate poisoning, however, hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen, and central venous pressure
determinations were not consistent with hypovolemia...  A major qualitative difference between the effect of glyphosate and glyphosate formulations on aquatic and terrestrial organisms concerns a polyethoxylated tallow amine surfactant (POEA) used in Roundup.  For aquatic organisms, the surfactant is much more toxic than glyphosate.  Unlike glyphosate, POEA is more toxic in alkaline water than in acid water.  Thus, the relative potency of POEA with respect to glyphosate is pH dependent.  There is relatively little
information regarding Roundup Pro, a formulation of glyphosate that contains a phosphate ester neutralized polyethoxylated tallow amine surfactant.  Nonetheless, the available data suggest that this formulation is quite similar to Roundup" ('Effects of Surfactants on the Toxicitiy of Glyphosate, with Specific Reference to RODEO', by Gary L. Diamond, Syracuse Research Corporation, Merrill Lane
Syracuse, NY 13210 USA and Patrick R. Durkin, Syracuse Environmental Research Associates, Inc., 1997; http://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/pesticide/pdfs/Surfactants.pdf; accessed: 12 Oct. 2008).

 

 

The likely presence of endocrine disrupting characteristics of the pesticide spray have likely begun to alter the hormonal configuration of small children and fetuses/embryos alike.  Some to be born will be less than they could have been.  Some kids now will be less than they should be later as they age because herbicide can affect the brain, inducing ADHD and aggressive behavior (do YOU have an uncontrollable child and don't know why?? -- consider PESTICIDE/CHEMICAL EXPOSURE).  The likely presence of solvents in the pesticide mixture has already impacted negatively on the immune systems of the residents, as well as on brain activity.  New neurological dysfunction may have been given some purchase through inhalation and potential contact with grasses at back fences (as noted above), and some pre-existing resident health disorders will likely have been amplified by the impact on people's nervous systems (it did to me when I weeded the grass).  Social disquiet and family dis-harmony in McQuade Avenue will now be more likely because of the toxins' effects on people's livers and brains.  I have informed Windsor Police of this toxicological/sociological problem previously, but they are powerless to address this kind of issue.  A Constable at the Windsor Police Station, however, said to me by phone on Friday 6th June 2008 that I should contact the local newspapers to see if they are interested in this story, in order to embarrass the Golf Club.  That way, public humiliation might bring pressure down on those who want the freedom to act without a Duty of Care toward people around them.  Maintaining a scripted and sanitized appearance for your little domain just does not seem that important any more once you work your way through the toxicological minutae of these revolting chemicals.

 

Who really considers CAUSE & EFFECT, and PATHWAYS OF EXPOSURE in the face of the TERRIBLE IMPERATIVE to keep a few weeds down.  Surely cutting or removing the weeds manually, or designing manipulated landscapes better, is far too much of a BURDEN for anyone!!!

 

Who considers CAUSE & EFFECT in terms of the pests themselves?  Note:

See the 7th paragraph of the web page: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74126.html (UC IPM Online, accessed: 12th Oct. 2008), which notes that there are strategies available for reducing the incidence of pests, such as altering conditions that may favor pest attraction to your patch of ground or, worse favor a population explosion.

 

The article shows that gardening practices can be changed to reduce environmental compatibility with pests.  Also, increasing sunlight, air movement and reducing fertilizer applications can help.  Cultural, physical, mechanical, biological and replanting controls and measures can help.

 

 

 

 

Figure 56  20/05/2008  Spray around tree base.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 57  20/05/2008  Closeup of the very synthetic green residue.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 58  20/05/2008  The spray dyed the bark at the tree base.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 59  20/05/2008  Before I noticed the spray, I had thrown a considerable amount of weeds over the back fence.  My ex had been picking the weeds up and placing them in a rubbish bin.  She was understandably not happy at all that contaminated material had ended up in her back yard.  However, as I pointed out, the spray had entered the back yard anyway by virtue of the gaps between the palings and via vapor diffusion.  See more photos below explicitly identifying the spray on the palings, leaves, and fence steel supports.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 60  20/05/2008  And the result was green dye all over my hands, to be deposited inside the house.  Amazing how far a little pesticide goes?!

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 61  20/05/2008  A closeup shows the green color of the spray a little more clearly.

 

 

 

 

BELOW ARE PHOTOS TAKEN ON WEDNESDAY 21/05/2008 OF ITEMS RETRIEVED THE DAY BEFORE.

 

Figure 62  21/05/2008  Photo taken of the retrieved contaminated items.  All are colored green by the unknown herbicide spray.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 63  21/05/2008  DETAIL: A piece of leaf with the synthetic emerald green color.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 64  21/05/2008  DETAIL: A piece of cardboard dyed green by the herbicide.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 65  21/05/2008  DETAIL: A golf ball dyed green.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 66  21/05/2008  DETAIL: A green twig contaminated with ??.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 67  21/05/2008  DETAIL: A branch dyed green.  Click the image above to see an enlargement of the overall photo taken showing how the herbicide spray has dyed or marked all the above DETAIL items.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 68  21/05/2008  A Continuous Sequence of Golf Club east perimeter fence Photos from north-east (right) to south-west (left) taken from immediately behind a McQuade Avenue South Windsor residence.

This proves the validity of the more confined photos in this Golf Club series.  Note the emerald colored spray on the Golf club's wire fence, and around the tree bases.  For a much larger navigational image (around 5-6 MB), click above and allow plenty of time for the very detailed 180 degree image to load.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 69  21/05/2008  For a larger image of the above (about 3.6 MB) click the image above.  The emerald colored spray around the base of the tree above is very clear in the enlargement.  For another image taken (about 1.9 MB) that is a little clearer in terms of the spray pattern on the ground, click HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 70  21/05/2008  Again, the purpose of this image is to prove the physical context of the photos and the physical evidence they contain.  Click for a larger image with detail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 71  21/05/2008  This image helps to show that weeding was done while I was unaware that the spraying had occurred previously.  No warning was given to residents of McQuade Avenue.  My hands were covered in green dye after picking the weeds and throwing them back over the fence onto the back lawn.  Click to see a much larger image (about 5 MB in size), one which includes a closeup on a feather laying on the ground.  This feather is dyed green from the herbicide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 72  21/05/2008  A more distant shot (about 1-1.2m) is followed by a closeup of leaves revealing the herbicide spray pattern.  The photos on the linked page to the above image are very large (for the sake of detail).  Be sure to scroll right down the linked html page to see the closeup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 73  21/05/2008  Click the above image for the herbicide splatter pattern of some leaves outside the east perimeter fence line of the Windsor Country Golf Club. 

Be sure to scroll down the linked html page to see the closeup.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 74  21/05/2008  Click the image above for the herbicide splatter pattern on a twig just outside the golf club's fence and next to the back fence of a McQuade Avenue resident. 

Be sure to scroll down the bottom area of the linked html page to see the closeup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 75  21/05/2008  Click the golf ball image above for a more distant (1-1.2m) shot of the golf ball (showing its position in relation to the Golf Club's fence line and residents' fences), and a closeup where I have turned the ball in position slightly to show off its herbicide stain to better effect.  By the way, after I discovered the presence of the spray, I used GLOVES.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 76  21/05/2008  Click above to see an enlargement of the wood palings at the back of McQuade Avenue residents' homes.  These palings have had herbicide sprayed against them.  Note that the palings have gaps between, thus allowing herbicide to enter the properties of private residents (herbicide vapors -- usually and especially the solvent portion -- do not require physical gaps this size to enter properties, homes and LUNGS).  This is called Chemical Trespass, and is a form of ASSAULT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 77  21/05/2008  Click on the image above for a more distant and a closeup shot of a woody weed with the herbicide spray pattern on its bark.  After you click, be sure to scroll down the linked html page to see all of the closeup image as well as (in some cases) a second image placed beneath the first one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 78  21/05/2008  A shot of a steel post supporting a fence and a splatter pattern of the green herbicide.  Click to see a huge closeup of the emerald green pesticide.  You will see that there are no vertical (downward) 'run' marks on the metal surface because the weedicide is designed to stick to the plant material it is aimed at.  I wonder if any of the McQuade Avenue residents' pets were standing at their respective back fences (out of curiosity as is the way with dogs, especially, because they could hear the pest technician spraying) when the spray mist came through the paling cracks?  I wonder if any kiddies were?  HOW COULD A PEST TECHNICIAN POSSIBLY KNOW IF CHILDREN ARE OR ARE NOT AT THEIR BACK FENCES, THE SAME FENCES HE/SHE HAS POINTED THE HERBICIDE SPRAY NOZZLE AT???????  THERE ARE AT LEAST 24-25 HOUSES WITH BACK YARDS POSITIONED FACING THE GOLF CLUB ON MCQUADE AVENUE.  MORE ON COX STREET.

 

Note:  All weedicides and herbicides are pesticides, but not all pesticides are weedicides/herbicides.

 

 

 

 

BELOW ARE PHOTOS TAKEN ON 22/05/2008 OF ITEMS RETRIEVED THE DAY BEFORE (THE SECOND DAY OF COLLECTION).

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 79  21/05/2008  The golf ball previously photographed, plus some leaves with the pesticide splatter pattern apparent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 80  21/05/2008  More leaves showing clear evidence of the pesticide splatter pattern.

 

 

AND...

 

 

 

Figure 81  28/05/2008  More items showing clear evidence of the pesticide splatter pattern that occurred at the back of my friend's residence. CLICK EACH SEPARATE IMAGE FOR A LARGER CLOSEUP IMAGE SHOWING EXTREME DETAIL.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 82  Early August/2008  Are these children safe on the Golf Club's property?

The Paris Appeal: The International Declaration on Diseases Due to Chemical Pollution says:

§9. Whereas, regarding toxicology, a number of these substances or chemicals are hormone-disrupting chemicals (endocrine disrupters), that can be carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMRs) for human beings, and therefore susceptible to induce cancers, congenital malformations and/or infertility; whereas some of these substances or products can be, among other effects, allergenic resulting in chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma; whereas some are neurotoxic chemicals, leading to degenerative diseases of the central nervous system in adult[s]… and to intellectual impairment in children; whereas some are immunotoxic, leading to immunodeficiency, particularly in children, causing infections, especially viral infections; whereas pesticides are deliberately spread in large amounts in the environment, while a great number are toxic… for animals and/or human beings and for the environment…

§10. Whereas children are the most vulnerable and exposed to contamination by these pollutants…

§11. Whereas these polluting substances or products can induce diseases in children population, such as those listed in §9; whereas one out of seven children in Europe suffers from asthma, whereas asthma is made worse by city and home pollution; whereas incidence in pediatric cancers has been on the rise for the last 20 years in some industrialized countries; and whereas these considerations all lead to the fact that Children are now in serious danger… (IDEA 2006).

 

Can we put figures to this vulnerability?

In March 2005, the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) stated that children are more vulnerable to gene-damaging chemicals than adults, that children two years old and younger might be 10 times more vulnerable than adults to certain chemicals and that children between the ages of two and 16 might be three times more vulnerable to certain chemicals(Dingle, 2005).  Also: Parker (2000:91) states: “Pearse & Wright (1999) have discussed chemical assessment and the Precautionary Principle.  They state: "it is worth noting that it is scientifically impossible to prove that no harm can ever come from a particular chemical" ".

 

What other symptoms arise from chemical exposure?

Further, pesticides promote the classic symptom of abdominal pain in children (Dr. B. Grabau, 2005, pers. comm.),  or, “non-specific abdominal gastric pain” (Dr. B. Grabau, 2005, Medical Report, August) and aggressive behaviour and delinquency in teens (Hatherill, 1999; Tvedten, 1999, 2002:2), as well as cancer, foetal death, miscarriages, and premature births (NCAP, 1999:3; http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2005/113-6/ss.html; Cox, 2004).  “An epidemic of developmental, learning, and behavioral disabilities has become evident among children” (preventingharm.org, no date).  Further proof: "Pesticide exposures diminish children's memory, physical stamina, coordination, and [the] ability to carry out simple tasks like drawing a stick figure of a human being. (See REHN #648.) Pesticide exposures seem to make children more aggressive. Pesticide exposures seem to contribute to the epidemic of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that has swept through U.S. children in recent years (See REHN #678.)” (Montague 2001; my emphasis).

And this also means that exposed children may have their entire lives ruined at critical developmental stages by the formula: child + glyphosate = ADHD (Cox, 2004).  For adults, a “study of 56 men exposed to organophosphate pesticides detected memory problems and difficulty in maintaining alertness and focusing attention” (Sinclair & Pressinger, no date, citing Annual Reviews in Public Health, 7:461, 1986).

 

The issue widens even further in terms of the children of those exposed to pesticides:

“A growing body of scientific evidence suggests there may be an association between parents' exposure to pesticides and cancer in their children  …Kori Flower of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Public Health and colleagues report the results of their recent study investigating the possibility of increased cancer risk among the children of pesticide applicators [EHP 112:631-635 (http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2003/6586/abstract.html)]…  The team compared the cancer incidence rate in the cohort to that expected in the general population to generate a standardized incidence ratio, and found an increased cancer incidence rate among children of the Iowa workers.  The risk of all childhood cancers combined was 36% greater in children of applicators compared to all Iowa children; the risk of all lymphomas more than doubled, and that of Hodgkin lymphoma was 2.5 times greater.  Further, the team found an increased risk of cancer among children of pesticide applicators who did not wear chemical-resistant gloves during application, as opposed to the children of those who did” (Hood 2004; my emphasis).

 

REFERENCES:

Cox, C. 2004, ‘Herbicide Factsheet: Glyphosate’, Journal Of Pesticide Reform/ Winter 2004, Vol. 24, No. 4, Northwest Coalition For Alternatives To Pesticides/NCAP, P.O. Box 1393, Eugene, Oregon 97440 USA / (541)344-5044 / www.pesticide.org; accessed: 2005.

Dingle, P. (Associate Professor) 2005, ‘Chemicals, Kids and Cancer: Why kids a