chlorpyrifos (Dursban) in PEI and Maritime Rivers

Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2002 23:36:07 +0000
From: Ross Mayhew <rmayhew@ns.sympatico.ca>
To: "Brian C. Bradley" <ax876@chebucto.ns.ca>, "MAYHEW, Ross" <rmayhew@ns.sympatico.ca>
CC: Sharon Labchuk <slabchuk@isn.net>, "'Sustainable-Maritimes'" <sust-mar@chebucto.ns.ca>
References: <Pine.GSO.3.95.iB1.0.1020913121916.15941J-100000@halifax.chebucto.ns.ca>
Precedence: bulk
Return-Path: <sust-mar-mml-owner@chebucto.ns.ca>

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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.



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