next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects
The use of the organophosphate chlorpyrifos, (the active ingredient in the insecticide Dursban) acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor in PEI is indeed a concern. While chlorpyrifos itself is not a mutagen, teratogen or carcinogen (or at worst a *very* weak one), other chemicals present in many of its commercial formulations, such as Dursban, are suspected carcinogens, and dioxins are sometimes produced when it is made - so it is not nearly as innocent as Dow Chemical would like people to believe. There are some serious concerns for children chronically exposed to this chemical (see http://www.google.ca/search?q=cache:sSdosDSPthYC:www.dhmh.state.md.us/labs/pdf/critlink0102.PDF, of just http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/labs/pdf/critlink0102.PDF if you have PDF.), and many states have severely restricted or even banned it. It is also extremely nasty on an ecological level, being quite toxic to birds and all invertebrates - it is a very indiscriminate poison, and i am [sarcasm alert.....] very surprised to hear that our usually hyper-vigilant, awesomely ecolologically responsible government that normally leans over backwards to protect the health of the bioshpere in general, has given its blessing to this antiquated pesticide that the rest of the world is phasing out. A good overview chlorpyrifos, including ecological effects, can be found at http://ace.ace.orst.edu/info/extoxnet/pips/chlorpyr.htm . The best news is that it is not very persistant in most ecosystems - a year after one stops using it in a given context, and it should be virtually undetectable. I think we should definitely be working to get this chemical either greatly restricted or banned outright, in Canada (i think farm chemical regulation is a federal matter - am i correct?) - it is NOT a poison i would personally feel comfortable drinking on a daily basis, or having present in any environment i have any responsibility for (and that includes any piece of the biosphere found in Canada - as Canadian citizens we are collectively responsible for the whole country). An overall review of farm chemical use for the country is LONG overdue - we are falling behind the rest of the developed world in this respect. -Ross Mayhew. -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- SUST-MAR TIP: to leave the list, PLEASE send "unsubscribe sust-mar" (or unsubscribe sust-mar-digest") to majordomo@chebucto.ca -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects