[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: GBlist: Malathion use



Randy Bynum wrote:
> 
> Bonnie (Solar Girl) I am one of those CA residents that has been
> sprayed
> with malathion.  This was done many years ago.  We too had been
> assured
> that there was no real danger.  Many many people were in an uproar
> about
> being sprayed.
> 
> As it turned out, the helicopter noise and vibration was the only real
> problem.  It can be a bit bothersome when a fleet of helicopters flys
> 2-300
> feet above your home.
> 
> Never once did I hear of any documented human health problems
> associated
> with the spraying. It sure took care of the medflys.  Local officials
> did
> recommend rinsing cars left outside.  We keep our cars in the garage
> so it
> was never a problem for us.  I can't recall any complaints about paint
> problems but I am sure there were some.
> 
> People quickly forgot all about the spraying.
> 
> I suggest you be aware of the flight path, stay indoors when they go
> over,
> rinse your cars afterwards, and go about your normal business.  Better
> to
> have a few malathion droplets to wash off than a devistated crop.  I
> have
> seen the damage the medfly can do.
> 
> Randy Bynum
> US Energy Controls
> 


There is (was) a great deal of documentation of adverse health affects
from the use of malathion both in California and throughout the world.
In Japan the term Shaku disease relates to the effects of malathion on
vision, in California there is a law suite concerning a child's
blindness as a result of aerial spraying of malathion. There has also
been positive associations between malathion and birth abnormalities.
Malathion preparations contain other ingredients such as xylene  which
is undisputedly toxic. The groundwater in the farming communities of
southern Ontario (my birthplace) is contaminated with organophosphates
(malathion has been found in wells). 

Anyway the list can go on and on and its usage seems criminal as well as
moronically shortsighted as the only justification I can see is
political (seasonal support of an export industry).

Analogies to greenbuilding are that expensive financial support of
aerial spraying programs will never allow for the funding of more
sustainable and effective biological controls. Issues for greenbuilding
are having to deal with further issues or sources of contamination of an
interior environment i.e. water, ground and air contamination, and
having to build for an increasingly sensitized population as malathion
has been shown to increase allergic reactions.

Discounting the effects on humans who are stupid enough to spray
themselves with their only concern being their cars. The use of
malathion is incredibly destructive to all other forms of life notably
all the other insects we consider 'useful'

John
__________________________________________________________________
This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by Oikos (www.oikos.com)
and Environmental Building News (www.ebuild.com). For instructions
send e-mail to greenbuilding-request@crest.org.
__________________________________________________________________


References: