Autism and Pesticide Exposure

ASD: Autism Spectrum Disorder

According to scientist's and a growing body of evidence maternal exposure to pesticide during specific gestation periods significantly increases the percentage of children born with ASD in a population. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) include a range of developmental disabilities that are characterized by substantial impairments in social interaction and communication as well as the presence of unusual behaviors. The symptoms range from mild to very severe, appearing before the age of three and lasting throughout a person's life (1). With lead and mercury eliminated as significant factors, one study found that mothers living within 500m of sprayed field sites had a 6:1 ratio of children born with ASD as compared to mothers not living near treated field sites (2). Senator Hooser's Bill SB 3170 delineated a 1500ft pesticide-free buffer zone around schools. This Bill never made it out of committee the result of "farm, seed, and pesticide lobby," influence (3).

1. "Exposure of Organochlorine Pesticides Linked to Autism": Pesticide and You, Volume 27, Number 3, pg. 6, Fall 2007
2. "Maternal Residence Near Agricultural Pesticide Applications and Autism
Spectrum Disorders among Children in the California Central Valley"
Eric M. Roberts, Paul B. English, Judith K. Grether, Gayle C. Windham, Lucia Somberg, and Craig Wolff
3. "Guest Viewpoint" - Kaua'i legislative update by Senator Gary L. Hooser
http://www.kauaiworld/articles/2008/03/12/opinion/edito2.txt
Testimony: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/Testimony/SB3170_EDU-ENE-TIA_02-04-08_.pdf
Bill: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/bills/SB3170_SD1_.htm
4. "The Autism Awareness Ribbon"
http://media.compendiumblog.com/images/blog_images/ad9acc28-bdbc-47e0-b18f-cc7a46ae979e/cb669e2b-7bf1-4a52-bcbb-3567dcb3fb9f/Autism-Ribbon-Story.jpg

"Stinky Study" (part 1)

Confound: To cause to become confused or perplexed; fail to distinguish, mix up.



Despite there being evidence that the lessee of Field #809 is cultivating Cleome Gynandra (see D.O.A. Part 9) and data available in reference to compounds yielded from this benign weed, Kauai County Council has agreed to fund $50,000 "to characterize and monitor for odoriferous compounds produced by Cleome Gynandra" (1,2). Within a few weeks of Bill 2278 passing, Governor Linda Lingle approved an additional $100,000 for the "testing and assessment of pesticide in the ambient air" (3). The responsibility of developing the study as well as data collection has been delegated to CTAHR Plant & Environmental Protection Services Dr. Qi Li, with oversight from Dr. Robert Boesch of the Hawaii State Department of Agriculture. Dr. Li will conduct the study of "odoriferous compounds" as well as the testing of pesticide levels in the ambient air for Hawaii Department of Agriculture. Dr. Li is also the Hawaii State Director of Pesticide Registration Program (4). The University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) receives millions of dollars in endowments from the GMO seed industry which is its largest benefactor.

1. Botanical Dermatology Database: "Cleomaceae"
http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/BotDermFolder/CLEO.html
2. Letter to former Kauai County Council Vice Chair Mel Rapozo - July 3rd, 2008; pg. 2
http://www.box.net/shared/dj69fctcfh
3. The Garden Island Newspaper: "Westside Noxious Odor Study Funded"
http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2008/11/04/news/kauai_news/doc49offd826c59d999640816.txt
4. Pesticide Registration Program Department of Environmental Biochemistry (CTAHR), University of Hawaii at Manoa
http://pestworld.stjohn.hawaii.edu/epp/prp.html

"Pesticides and Childhood Cancer"

"A pernicious, spreading evil (1)."

Children living on or near treated croplands can be exposed (to pesticides) through agricultural application drift, overspray, or off-gassing. Young children, who are likely to spend a large proportion of their time on the floor or ground and who frequently put hands and objects in their mouths, may be at particularly high risk of exposure . Addressing the conspicuous absence of information on chemical exposures and toxicity relating to children has become a priority at the EPA (2). Evidence that pesticide exposure may be associated with childhood cancer comes from case reports and several types of epidemiologic studies. Evidence from epidemiological studies suggests that environmental contaminants such as pesticides and certain chemicals, in addition to radiation, may contribute to an increased frequency of some childhood cancers. Some studies have found that children born to parents who work with or use such chemicals are more likely to have cancer in childhood (3). Malignancies linked to pesticides in studies include leukemia, neuroblastoma, Wilms' tumor, soft-tissue sarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and cancers of the brain, colorectum, and testes. Many of the cancers associated with pesticides among children are the same cancers that are repeatedly associated with pesticide exposure among adults. There is a need to study and better quantify these exposures (4). Regulatory toxicology can no longer safely assume that "the dose makes the poison". Standard approaches used to develop estimates of safe exposure levels, by basing their design on a false assumption, are likely to have set safety standards that are not strong enough to protect public health (5). Although research is underway to characterize the risks of childhood cancer associated with pesticides and identify the specific pesticides responsible, it is prudent to reduce or, where possible, eliminate pesticide exposure to children, given their increased vulnerability and susceptibility. There is potential to prevent at least some childhood cancer by reducing or eliminating pesticide exposure (2,3,4).

1. American Heritage^® Dictionary of the English Language: definition of "Cancer"
2. "Childhood Cancer: A Growing Problem", Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 106, Number1, January 1998
http://www.ehponline.org/realfiles/docs/1998/106-1/focus.html
3. "Cancer Incidence and Mortality," U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/childhood_cancer.htm
4. "Pesticides and Childhood Cancer" by Shelia Hoar Zahm and Mary H. Ward. Environmental Health Perspectives Supplements Volume 106, Number S3, June 1998. Occupational Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Etiology, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, http://www.ehponline.org/members/1998/Suppl-3/893-908zahm/zahm-full.html
5. "Does 'the dose make the poison?" Extensive results challenge a core assumption in toxicology, by Pete Myers, Ph.D. and Wendy Hessler
http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/NewScience/lowdose/2007/2007-04-30%20Does%20the%20Dose%20Make%20the%20Poison.pdf
6. Waimea Canyon Middle School and adjacent neighborhood shadowed by Field #809: Photo by Denis Fujimoto

D.O.A. (part 9)

"Body of Evidence" - Cindy Goldstein, Ph.D. (1)



Throughout this David and Goliath struggle of Environmental Injustice and Racism, the cause of repeated events of illness indicative of acute and chronic pesticide exposure has been blamed on the benign weed Cleome Gynandra. The heads of Hawaii Dept. of Ag and Dept. of Health have agreed to perform an ambient air study for pesticides only if the Kauai County Council provides $50,000 to fund an assessment of the "ambient concentrations of odiferous substances from Cleome Gynandra" (2). In a previous agreement with Hawaii State Teachers Association there was to be no cultivation or spraying in field #809 prior Dec. 08' unless Syngenta agreed to construct a 12-foot-high dust-fence along the vegetated buffer zone separating the field from the school (3). This is a video of the lessee of field #809 (Syngenta Seeds Co.) cultivating Cleome Gynandra a weed blamed for sending over 20 children to the hospital, contrary to that agreement.

1. "Body of Evidence", a quote from Cindy Goldstein, Ph.D.
Manager Business and Community Outreach Pioneer (A DUPONT COMPANY) Biotechnology Affairs, cindy.goldstein@pioneer.com
2. Bill 2278 info, http://www.box.net/shared/dj69fctcfh
3. The Garden Island Newspaper, Feb. 8, 2008
http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2008/02/08/news/news02.txt
4. D.O.A (part 9), "Diary of Apathy" the struggle continues...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SYEcowV2d8
5. Music: "Hawaii 78" by Bruddah IZ

Cocktail Anyone?

"Inerts" (Part 2)

A Case Study of a Week-Long Pesticide Cocktail

Recap: on January 25, 2008, more than 60 students at Waimea Canyon Middle School reported to the health room with complaints of nausea, dizziness, itcy eyes, sore throat, and labored breathing(1). Many reported smelling a noxious fuel-like odor. Responding emergency services personnel took 12 students and 1 teacher to the Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital ER for treatment of acute symptoms ranging from difficulty breathing, violent vomiting, dizziness, tremors, and extreme headache. Classrooms were evacuated to the library which is a contained environment with a central air conditioning system. Representatives from state and county agencies as well as agribusiness converged upon the campus in an effort to determine the cause of the noxious odor and sickness. By 4pm that same day the Honolulu Advertiser reported that "officials" determined the culprit odor (and consequent sickness) to be caused by several piles of dead Cleome Gynandra located along the campus western boarder in field #809 (1). Many were surprised by this speedy conclusion given the magnitude of the incident; the benign nature of the weed, and the lack of anyone effected reporting that the odor they smelled was "Wild Spider Flower," an odor many on campus are familiar with.

CLICK HERE: The following is an ingredient list of the pesticide cocktail that was applied by Syngenta Seeds Inc. to field #809 during the week leading up to the January 25, 2008 incident (2).

Syngenta pesticide application data was provided by the Department of Agriculture (3).




1. YouTube Video: "The Day After, 01-26-08"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5xefxsmXcc
2. "A Case Study of a Week-Long Pesticide Cocktail"
http://www.box.net/shared/p7tz40zs4d
3. Dept. of Agriculture Inspection Report: 01-28-09, 02-08-08,02-09-08

Are "Inerts" Benign?

Original post August 17th,2008

Cocktail: A mixture, usually in solution
Benign: Having little or no detrimental effect, harmless

When a pesticide poisoning is believed to have taken place, much attention is usually paid to the active ingredient in the pesticide product. The percentage of active ingredient in a formulation can range form 5% to 90%. The other percentage of the product is a cocktail of chemicals ranging from solvents to lesser “active pesticides" (1). These other ingredients are often referred to as “inerts”. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “an inert ingredient may have biological activity of it’s own, may be toxic to humans, and may be chemically active.” In 1997 the E.P.A. issued a notice which, “encourages manufacturers, formulators, producers, and registrants of pesticide products to voluntarily substitute the term ‘other ingredient’ as a heading for the inert ingredients in the ingredient statement on the label of the pesticide product.” “Many consumers are mislead by the term “inert ingredient,” believing it to mean “harmless” (2). State, federal, and international agencies have classified 26 percent of “inert ingredients” (about 600 chemicals) as hazardous.

1. "A Case Study of a Week-Long Pesticide Cocktail"
http://www.box.net/shared/p7tz40zs4d
2. Inert (other) Ingredients in Pesticide Products
http://www.epa.gov/opprd001/inerts/

Troubles in Paradise (Kauai)

"Citizens not Serfs"



1. Troubles in Paradise (Kauai)- a Zaharie Productions video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avk0r6JdafA

We the People...

"fear factor"

"An informed citizen is the only true repository of the American will" - Thomas Jefferson

What is the greatest challenge Maluia-WCMS has faced?

The single greatest challenge Maluia-WCMS has faced is fear. Our efforts address student/staff illness and the questionable manner State of Hawaii agencies have acted in investigating multiple incidents of pesticide exposure as the result of drift. Despite our altruistic objectives, intentional efforts to obfuscate the truth (as well as manipulate cultural nuances) have created a pervasive public fear to participate, share information, or ask questions about conclusions based on anecdotal evidence rather than scientific investigation. And so on this "Independence Day," Maluia-WCMS would like to share President Franklin D. Roosevelt's pearl of wisdom, "there's nothing to fear, but fear itself ." Fear is a peril of wisdom. Democracy only works when citizens are not afraid to ask questions, demand the truth, and believe in their constitutional rights. "Every man a king."

1. "The Impact of Cultural Diversity on Business Communication" by David Ingram http://smallbusiness.chron.com/impact-cultural-diversity-business-communication-3047.html
2. "Every Man a King" by: Huey P. Long
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/hueyplongking.htm

Pesticide Effects Can Span Generations

UC-Berkeley Professor of Biology Tyrone Hayes describes how health effects from pesticide toxins can persist among subsequent generations.

1. Tyrone Hayes - Pesticide Effects Can Span Generations
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vxPYCsgpB9I
2. Are Pesticides Poisoning Our Children's Future?
http://fora.tv/2008/03/18/Are_Pesticides_Poisoning_Our_Children_s_Future

Volatilization (part 2)

itchy eyes, blurred vision, tingly skin, headache, malaise, labored breathing...

Volatilization is the process whereby a solid or liquid evaporates into the atmosphere as a gas. Specific environmental factors that tend to increase volatilization include high temperature, low relative humidity, and air movement (2). Volatilization drift occurs when these gases drift from their application site to another location. Spray drift can occur when pesticides move off the application site in the air as particles or aerosols during application or when the pesticides move that are attached to dust (3).
How does one know when either kind of drift has occurred? Swab samples are used to detect pesticide residues from spray drift if the samples can be taken rather quickly as sunlight and oxygen will break down the pesticide quickly if it is volatile. Swab sampling works best if done within hours of a spray drift incident. Volatilization drift is not detected by swab sampling though it can continue at fairly high levels for several days after an application. Because volatilized pesticides are in gas form, it is unlikely that you will find residues on surfaces. Volatilization drift can be detected using air monitoring devices, sometimes called "drift catchers", that sample the air at a given moment. Regulatory definition of drift ignores 80-95% of total drift for volatile pesticides.

For about 45% of total pesticides applied in California, the bulk of off-site pesticide movement occurs as the pesticide volatilizes after application. ARB (California Air Resources Board) monitoring data show that concentrations of pesticides in air peak between eight and 24 hours after the start of application, with concentrations declining over several days to several weeks. In outdoor settings, airborne pesticides are carried away from the application site by wind and on windblown soil particles. Drifting pesticides can travel for miles, resulting in widespread toxic air pollution. In indoor environments, vaporized pesticides can persist for weeks after an application, concentrating in the air closest to the floor -- where children spend more of their time -- and condensing on plastic items such as children's toys (4).

1. Image: www.btny.purdue.edu/.../PPP-35.conclusion.jpg
2.www.btny.purdue.edu/Pubs/PPP/PPP35.html
3. www.epa.gov/opp00001/about/intheworks/volatilization.htm
4. Secondhand Pesticides: Airborne Pesticide Drift in California
http://www.panna.org/legacy/gpc/gpc_200304.13.1.10.dv.html

D.O.A. (part 8)

"And Here We Test Our Powers Of Observation" - The Bad Plus

Environmental injustice and racism occur not only when policymakers violate... rights to free informed consent or equal treatment in siting decisions but also when risk assessors use biased scientific methods whose policy consequences de facto result in unjustified discrimination against people of color and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups (3).
“We are not going to be spending a lot of resources chasing something that is intermittent and the firefighters could not even detect,” Department of Agriculture’s pesticides program manager, Robert Boesch (4). Apparently there are no fields of cleome gynandra (a.k.a. "Stinkweed") close enough to the evacuated schools in Kekaha to impute as the reason for symptoms indicative of pesticide exposure (5). Despite recently cleared fields in the area being sprayed by Pioneer and their refusal to share the name of the chemicals applied with the public, even more preposterous specious explanations have been proposed. “Nothing we know of would have caused that,” Steve Lupkes, Pioneer site manager.“This morning the weather guy was talking about the vog hitting Kaua‘i (5).” Allowing Mr. Lupkes the benefit of doubt, perhaps he's never read an MSDS for pesticides Pioneer applies to their crops? It's a miracle that all the schools on Kauai and the state weren't evacuated, as the vog was statewide. According to David Gerow his comments to Adam Harju of The Garden Island Newspaper in reference to propane were printed out of context and without his knowledge of the events taking place in Kekaha. Mr. Harju used journalistic prerogative stating that officials were speculating the cause as being a delivery of propane in the vicinity (4). As per the gas company, propane is heavier than air. With a distance of over 1/4 mile between Kekaha School and St. Theresa's as the crow flies, there is not a vehicle large enough to hold the concentration of propane required to produce the symptoms expressed by children and adults including individuals in areas upwind of where the reported propane truck made it's delivery (6). And here we test our powers of observation.

1. "And Here We Test Our Powers Of Observation" - The Bad Plus : GIVE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OruzDa0He-g

2. Image: "Poison Prevention" 1-800-222-1212

http://www.healthline.com/

3."Environmental Racism and Biased Methods of Risk Assessment" by Daniel C. Wigley & Kristin S. Shrader-Frechette.

http://www.piercelaw.edu/risk/vol7/winter/wigley.htm

4. The Garden Island Newspaper , April 17, 2008

http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2008/04/17/news/news03.txt

5. The Garden Island Newspaper, April 15,2008

http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2008/04/16/news/news01.txt

6. Google Earth map - Kekaha School to St. Theresa's

http://www.box.net/shared/t5jlc7ysc0

C.B.P.R.

Community-Based Participatory Research

“A collaborative approach to research that equitably involves all partners in the research process and recognizes the unique strengths that each brings. CBPR begins with a research topic of importance to the community and has the aim of combining knowledge with action and achieving social change..." (1)

Maluhia Group(Maluia-WCMS) is organizing a "Community-Based Participatory Research" project in an effort to determine the genesis of multiple illness of children and adults living on Kauai's westside. In response to governmental agency failure in the monitoring, and protection of the public’s health and welfare this effort includes physician's, chemists, legislators, academics, parents and community members. If you are interested in joining this effort please contact us at maluiawcms@hotmail.com.

The principles that guide the practice of community-based research include:
*A collaborative enterprise between researchers and community members.
*Validates multiple sources of knowledge and promotes the use of multiple methods of discovery and dissemination of the knowledge produced.
*Has as its goal social action and social change. (2)

1. WK Kellogg Foundation Community Health Scholars Program
http://depts.washington.edu/ccph/cbpr/u1/u11.php
2. Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching & Service - Georgetown University
https://www1.georgetown.edu/centers/socialjustice/

Volatilization (part 1)

"to make volatile; especially : to cause to pass off in vapor" (1)

A primer for Hawaii State Dept. of Agriculture and Dept. Health officials.

"After field application, pesticides enter the various environmental compartments: the ground and surface waters, soil, plants and the atmosphere. Their occurrence in the atmosphere can occur as a result of drift during application or, subsequently, volatilization from soil, plants or surface water and by wind erosion. Pesticides may still be observed in the atmosphere after the treatment period has apparently ended in a region. Many observations and experimental studies highlight the contribution of volatilization to atmospheric contamination... This process may continue for several days or weeks after treatment, and even go on for several months... As a result, it causes the transfer of significant fractions of applied chemicals from treated surfaces into the atmosphere. Once they enter the atmosphere, chemicals may be transported over large distances (3)."

1. Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of "Volatilization":

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Volatilization
2. "Dissipation Pathways" diagram:
http://www.epa.gov/oppefed1/ecorisk_ders/terrestrial_field_dissipation.htm
3. Mass transfer of pesticides into the atmosphere by volatilization from soils and plants: overview
Carole BEDOS*, Pierre CELLIER, Raoul CALVET, Enrique BARRIUSO, Benoît GABRIELLE
http://crphyto.be/fichiers/Mass%20transfer%20of%20pesticides%20into%20the%20atmosphere.pdf

R.I.P.

SB3170 - Epitaph For An Act

"Senate Bill 3170, which would have created pesticide-free buffer zones around schools, was amended to create a task force to study pesticides and schools. Fortunately, Syngenta Seed Co. has agreed to stop spraying fields adjacent to Waimea Canyon Middle School at least until the end of the year. Unfortunately, at the time of this writing, it appears that even the concept of a task force is unacceptable to the farm, seed and pesticide lobby. The House of Representatives has referred SB3170 to three different committees, which is a sign that the proposal is unlikely to receive a hearing and thus die (1)." Senator Gary L. Hooser

1. "Guest Viewpoint" - Kaua‘i legislative update by Senator Gary L. Hooser,
http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2008/03/12/opinion/edit02.txt
2. Image: "Tombstone"
http://www.clipartheaven.com/clipart/holidays/halloween/tombstone-clipart.gif

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

SB 3170 - A Bill For An Act ; roll camera

Scene 1
Waimea Canyon Middle School on the island of Kauai. March winds blow. Students are at different locations on campus. Randomly they begin to feel the effects of a poison in the air. Individuals are effected to different degrees. Some with asthma will need the assistance of a ventilator to breathe. Many are dizzy, light headed, nauseous, with headache and later diarrhea. It is an incident of acute pesticide exposure.

Scene 2
UH Manoa - conference call

PATRICIA --- (talking into the phone) I read your testimony. My concern is "sanitation" and "infestation" (1).
BARRY --- (listening as he looks out his window on a sunny Oahu day) Unbiased and seemingly random, people's reactions are a lesson in our endocrine system. Unlike a broken bone or cut that you can see, the effects of pesticides on the human body are still being determined. "The buffer zone if approved would severely affect parks, golf courses and agricultural production..." (2)
PETER --- (walking through Manoa campus speaking on his cell) The poison in pesticide is insipid in it's effect in that it wear's you down over time. Many of the pesticide's being used today have only been synthesised within the past 5 years. Risk Assessment studies completed included only adults. MSDS do not cover the possible "cocktail effect" when mixing pesticide with other agents. "It would be far more reasonable to apply the buffer zone restriction to certain classes of pesticides, such as organophosphates with known long-term effects on children (2)."
PATRICIA --- "By establishing a pesticide free buffer-zone... routine facility maintenance such as disinfecting our restroom facilities during cleaning would be affected." (reaching for a Starbucks mocha latte being passed to her by her personal assistant) "Over time the sanitation of our schools would be severely impacted (1)."
RICHARD H. CONRAD, Ph.D. biochemistry--- (walking a few steps behind Peter, unable to not over hear the conversation feels compelled to interject) ) “There is no balance or other side to this story, period, except for junk science sponsored by industry. Anyone supporting a position that pesticides are nothing to worry about or control is either ignorant or highly unethical. There is every good reason to pass this bill, and no good reason to oppose it (3).”
(Hawaii’s mana interrupts and all three loose the connection. Peter quickens his pace without comment.)

* Comments in italics are quotes taken from SB 3170 testimony and attributed to the author(s) identified on the posted document.

1. Excerpts from Patricia Hamamoto, Superintendent of Education testimony against SB 3170 http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/Testimony/SB3170_EDU-ENE-TIA_02-04-08_.pdf
2. Excerpts from Barry Brennan, Plant and Environmental Sciences and Peter Rappa, Environmental Center @ UH Manoa testimony against SB 3170
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/Testimony/SB3170_EDU-ENE-TIA_02-04-08_.pdf
3. Excerpt from Richard H. Conrad, Ph.D. - testimony in support of SB 3170
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/Testimony/SB3170_ENE-EDU_02-04-08_late.pdf
4. Bill SB 3170 before and after amendments
Before - http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/bills/SB3170_.htm
After- http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/bills/SB3170_SD1_.htm
5. Image: Theatrical Masks:cc0237
http://www.logogolfwear.com/onlineembroiderydesigner.php?ident=cc0237

"Citizens not Serfs"

21 degrees 57'56.72" North Latitude / 159 degress 40'38.98" West Longitude

On February 1, 2008 teachers and parents protested the use of "Organophosphate" pesticides upwind of Waimea Canyon Middle School on the island of Kauai and voiced support for Bill SB 3170. Click on Bill Status & Documents, in the first field box of the link, enter the bill number (SB3170) to view testimony and track the Bill's progress. This Bill seeks a pesticide free zone around schools.

1. Feb. 2, 2008 - The Garden Island Newspaper

http://thegardenisland.com/news/teachers-protest-pesticide-use/article_109b6f63-b197-51cf-a1f3-776b291a4e7a.html

D.O.A. (part 7)

Mengele's guard...

The multi-national Syngenta Inc. planted field #809 (ag lands adjacent Waimea Canyon Middle School) with GMO corn during the three week Winter Break 2007-2008 (1). There had not been cultivation of this area of land for over 5 months. With the exception of the failed "buffer" of Date Palm, the field was barren of crops or weed (2). By end of the first weeks return to W.C.M.S. campus, students and staff began expressing symptoms of pesticide exposure (3).

01/24/08: A Syngenta spray operator was directed to apply the insecticide "Warrior" to field #809 (4,5). Winds were light but gusting from the west. The sickening sound of the spray vehicle and vipers hiss of pesticide dispersal were carried on the wind over our campus. Teachers witnessed this action at 3:40pm.

01/25/08: By days end 12 students had been taken to the hospital and 60 others were documented reporting to the health room "after inhaling a noxious odor that caused dizziness, headache and nausea" (6). Teachers counted numerous others returning to class having not been attended to as there was not enough room for them all in the health room. Unlike past less acute incidents, the school’s administration called the Kauai Fire Department and soon after representatives from HAZMAT, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Hawaii State Teachers Association, and the Department of Education were on site. T- building was evacuated of students and staff as an investigation ensued.

After a logjam of handshakes first responders from HAZAMT, DOH, DOA, DOE and Syngenta ignoring past peccadilloes (given the technological advances and equipment this 21st century provides), chose to use their olfactory nerve to detect the genesis of the noxious odor. A procession of proboscis lead by Syngenta representatives without need of chemical analysis of soil, air, water, or epidemiologic evidence, proceeded with their investigation. The collective olfactory lobe belonging to Syngenta employees once again determined the cause of odor (and illness) to be Cleome gynandra or “Wild Spider Flower” (7). Teachers were informed of this as well as other specious causes, none implicating Syngenta’s application of “Warrior” as the genesis of illness.

The active ingredient in Syngenta’s “Warrior” product is Lambda-cyhalothrin (4,5). "Lambda-cyhalothrin may cause irritation to the skin, throat nose, and other body parts if exposed. Skin tingling, burning, and prickling feelings, particularly around the face, are unique temporary symptoms of exposure. Other symptoms may include dizziness, headache, nausea, lack of appetite, and fatigue. In severe poisonings, seizures and coma, may occur" (8).

1. GoogleEarth map of field #809

http://www.box.net/shared/0crmd1f288

2. Rodney Iwasaki Syngenta exoneration e-mail for 02/27/07 "Obdurate Behavior"

http://www.box.net/shared/9e3mdukg0g

3.. EPA - "Manifestations of Organophosphate Insecticide Poisioning"

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4znVqzgCvrQ2upAEkqsdBwWOUSBj6CeXQBx6zuyjjfomG-zJwYRw_yRGI3fPPlrSmz1Be_LR_anL99cqhyqZRkKEGRWCupaPez9lIoNkaSJNTZdCs9yYKgQY28uQWpM9tpi5ljNKvFY/s1600-h/PesticideEffectsOnBody.jpg

4. Warrior with Zeon technology - MSDS

http://www.syngentacropprotection.com/pdf/msds/03_92817172007.pdf

5. Warrior with Zeon technology - Label

http://www.syngentacropprotection.com/pdf/labels/SCP1112AL1H0807.pdf

6. "Noxious odor sends Westside students, teachers to hospital"
by Rachel Gehrlein - THE GARDEN ISLAND

http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2008/01/26/news/news01.txt

7. Plants for a Fututre: "Edible, medicinal,and useful plants of a healthier world"
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Cleome+gynandra

8. Excerpt from the NPTN – National Pesticide Telecommunications Network

http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/l_cyhalogen.pdf

9. "Pinocchio"
http://www.blog.vdebate.org/uploaded_images/pinocho-741996.jpg

"A Call to Arms"

Senator Hooser has introduced a Bill that establishes a pesticide free buffer zone around elementary schools. We are trying to ensure that a "full court press" translates to the political will necessary to pass this legislation. A similar effort failed in Oregon last year because industry opponents mounted concerted opposition. The importance of preparing written testimony EARLY cannot be overstressed. The Senator has requested concerned parties provide well-crafted testimony that focuses on concerns for the health of children is of paramount importance. Include any changes that may strengthen the effectiveness of the Bill (i.e. include all schools, increase the buffer zone distance) and any references that may support your position. See http://maluiawcms.blogspot.com/ for downloadable resource articles and links. Please send written testimony to maluia-wcms@hotmail.com for forwarding.

Altruistically,
Maluia-WCMS

1. "Uncle Sam"
i9.photobucket.com/.../SDSSA_Uncle_Sam.jpg
2. Proposed Pesticide Bill
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/bills/SB3170_.htm