In the Hawaiian language maluhia means "peace" or "peaceful passage". Maluhia Group is a coalition of Waimea Canyon Middle School staff, parents and community members concerned with the use of pesticide, and the agriculture of GMO crops on lands adjacent WCMS campus. This blog was created as a community forum and database to provide information about incidents of pesticide exposure to Waimea students/staff and community as well as the adverse health effects of pesticides and GMO agriculture.
About Us
Maluhia Group was formed in response to a complete failure of public agencies responsible for the regulation, monitoring, and protection of the public’s health and welfare in relation to pesticide use and G.M.O. agriculture on lands adjacent WCMS campus. State agencies have acted in an extemporaneous, insufficient, negligent manner in investigating multiple incidents of pesticide exposure as the result of drift on WCMS campus. Maluhia Group seeks legislative action creating pesticide free buffer zones, strict guidelines for pesticide use, including liability for drift, misuse and any ill health effects caused by G.M.O agricultural practices.
Grubbing: 1.Dig or poke superficially at the earth; dig shallowly in soil; 2.Remove (something) from the earth by digging it up; 3. Slang: to obtain by importunity
This video was taken by a concerned community member during recent rains on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. A very personal connection to the tragedy before him is expressed through incredulous emotion. The video doesn't show that the water is flowing off and carrying soil from fields that were recently sprayed with pesticide; flowing from the fields on a lamentable watercourse over coral reef to the ocean.
Unexplained Mysteries of the World have perplexed man since the beginning of time. At last one has been solved! The question of exactly what the "Thinking Man" is pondering has been discovered. With the assistance of a special grant of $50,000 from the County of Kauai City Council, CTAHRresearch scientist's have discovered that the "Thinking Man" is in fact trying to remember what he keeps forgetting. This ground breaking discovery has been hailed as the end of the beginning of the end, and a new beginning for scientific research around the world setting a model for future multi-national corporate public/private partnerships.
1. Image: "The Thinker" at the Rodin Museum, Philadelphia, PA 2. Monsanto Funds Education, Research at UH, Hawaii 24/7 http://www.hawaii247.com/2011/09/07/monsanto-funds-education-research-at-uh/
downstream: in or toward the latter stages of a usually industrial process (1).
"It's not just the dose that makes the poison and it's not just the timing that makes the poison; it's who you are thatmakes the poison (2)." In TheNew York Times article "Debating How Much Atrazine is Safe in Your Water Glass" this point is elaborated; "Recent studies suggest that, even at concentrations meeting current federal standards, the chemical (atrazine) may be associated with birth defects, low birth weights and menstrual problems. Laboratory experiments suggest that when animals are exposed to brief doses of atrazine before birth, they become more vulnerable to cancer (3)." Dr. Sandra Steingraber Ph.D, expert on the environmental links to cancer states, "the disconnect between what we in the scientific community know about carcinogens and what cancer patients are told is huge (4)." While multinational agri-chemical business targets scientist's who refute false claims of safety, over years bio-monitoring markers support claims of lethality at levels below federal standards for many chemicals used in non- organic commercial agriculture. Children in rural areas are most at risk (5). "An investigation by The New York Times has found that in some towns, atrazine concentrations in drinking water have spiked, sometimes for longer than a month. But the reports produced by local water systems for residents often fail to reflect those higher concentrations (3)." This may explain how The Department of Water, County of Kauai Water Quality Report covering January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 found the organic contaminants TTHM and HAA only....(3). TTHM and HAA are environmental pollutants that may cause an increased risk of cancer. The EPA limits the total concentration as total trihalomethanes (TTHM), to 80 parts per billion in treated water. Waimea / Kekaha levels were TTHM (8ppb) and HAA (2ppb). First mentioned organic contaminants; inorganic contaminants also found were Cadmium (5ppb), Chromium (100ppb), Nitrate (10ppb). What was not found, yet was detected by the USDA in samples taken from student water drinking fountains at W.C.M.S. was the organic contaminant atrazine. As part of the USDA's Pesticide Data Program, Waimea Canyon Middle School (W.C.M.S.) participated in theSchool Water Testing Project. With permission of the school's administration water samples (three 1-liter glass bottles) were collected from student drinking water fountains on campus. The samples were sent via Federal Express overnight to a laboratory for analysis. The USDA PDP covered all costs of analysis, sampling kits, and pre-paid shipping labels. It took roughly 90 days to receive results due to the number of analytes and the low levels being tested (6). USDA results detected atrazine which was not detected by The Department of Water, County of Kauai. The EPA MCL for atrazine is 3000 parts per trillion, 6parts per trillion was detected. In addition the atrazine metabolite desthyl atrazine was detected at 26ppt.
The purpose of the project is "to test drinking water from schools/childcare facilities........ for pesticide residues so that data may be used in risk assessments.
The EPA has launched a risk assessment into the effects of atrazine. The EPA announced that it is seeking public comment on a proposal to ban atrazine (7). 1. Merriam-Webster http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downstream 2, 4. "Living Downstream" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2UsmBqYpwo&feature=player_embedded&noredirect=1 3. "Debating How Much Weed Killer is Safe in Your Water Glass" http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/23/us/23water.html?emc=eta1 4. The Department of Water County of Kauai Water Quality Report http://www.kauaiwater.org/wqr_waimea.pdf 5. PANNA - "Follow the Science" http://action.panna.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6842 6. USDA: A) Pesticide Data Program (PDP) http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateG&topNav=&leftNav=ScienceandLaboratories&page=PDPProgramOverview&description=PDP+Program+Overview&acct=pestcddataprg (B) School Water Testing Project http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=stelprdc5090867 7. Jeremy P. Jacobs, E&E reporter; "EPA Seeks Comments on Proposed Atrazine Ban"
As part of the USDA's Pesticide Data Program, Waimea Canyon Middle School (W.C.M.S.) participated in the School Water Testing Project. The purpose of the project is "to test drinking water from schools/childcare facilities, which use onsite wells as their water source, for pesticide residues so that data may be used in risk assessments." The specific Waimea well that the schools water originates from is unknown at this time. With the permission of the school's administration water samples (three 1-liter glass bottles) were collected from student drinking water fountains.
The EPA guidance for establishing an MCL (Maximum Concentration Level) states that "MCLs are enforceable standards and are to be set as close to the maximum contaminant level goals (MCLGs) (Health Goals) as is feasible and are based upon treatment technologies, costs (affordability) and other feasibility factors, such as availability of analytical methods, treatment technology and costs for achieving various levels of removal. (2)" Dose/Response assessment is often determined by increasing single dose acute exposure of specific contaminants with rats until there is an adverse affect. Chronic low dose exposure, synergistic effects of combined chemicals, and biological variability are not considered when establishing MCLs.
The Department of Water County of Kauai Water Quality Report covering January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 found the organic contaminants TTHM and HAA only and determined drinking water for the areas of Kekaha - Waimea as "safe" (3).
The student drinking water fountain samples from W.C.M.S. were sent via Federal Express overnight to a laboratory for analysis. The USDA PDP covered all costs of analysis, sampling kits, and pre-paid shipping labels. It took roughly 90 days to receive results due to the number of analytes and the low levels being tested (4).
Results indicate that children attending W.C.M.S are indeed "Living Downstream". Read next month's blog for the U.S.D.A's findings.
1. Living Downstream trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2UsmBqYpwo 2. EXTOXNET FAQs http://extoxnet.orst.edu/faqs/safedrink/mcl.htm 3. Kekaha-Waimea Water Quality Report http://www.kauaiwater.org/wqr_waimea.pdf 4. USDA: A)Pesticide Data Program http://www.ams.usda.gov... B)School Water Testing Project http://www.ams.usda.gov...
The EPA has developed standards designed to protect human health, with an adequate margin of safety... and to protect public welfare from any known or anticipated adverse effects of a pollutant (1). Used as risk assessment benchmarks, "Reference Dose (RfD)" the maximum acceptable oral dose of a toxic substance is not an enforceable standard as are National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). According to the EPA, "[a]n aggregate daily exposure to a [chemical] at or below the RfD (expressed as 100 percent or less of the RfD) is generally considered acceptable... (2)." The public has no choice of zero exposure other than to leave toxic areas. When assessing inhalation exposure, the EPA uses "Reference Concentrations," (RfCs), instead of RfDs (3). A burden of proof for causation of illness although stated in known applied pesticide M.S.D.S labeling by legal standard is the affected individuals. EPA acceptable exposure limits do not take into account the synergistic effects of combined chemicals, volatilization rates, or chronic low-dose exposure. The final governmental risk evaluation includes the evaluation of economic and political consequences (4). There is no record of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIAs) for the use of Organophosphate / Chlorpyrifos pesticides on the island of Kauai, Hawaii by Dow Agrosciences; however, they are hiring (5).
1. "America's Children and the Environment" http://www.epa.gov/economics/children/index.html 2.EPA - Reregistration Eligibility Decision http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/0328red.pdf 3.EPA - Environmental Assessment http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=71993#Download 4. Framework for Risk Assessment and Risk Management http://www.box.net/shared/4nsee5jvmx1ztfjuz8ds 5. Dow Agrosciences http://careers.dowagro.com/key/dow-agroscience-kauai-jobs.html
" The only answer to organized money is organized people.""America's corporate and political elites now form a regime of their own and they're privatizing democracy. All the benefits - the tax cuts, policies and rewards flow in one direction: up."
1. Bill Moyers Journal http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/index-flash.html 2. Beyond Pesticides http://www.beyondpesticides.org/ 3. PAN North America http://www.panna.org/ 4. Cartoon http://compliancecampaign.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/7-13-democracy-for-sale.jpg
In discussion of efforts for Mercury pollution legislation, current Administrator of the E.P.A. Lisa P. Jackson explains how legislation such as HR 872 becomes law.
1.Beyond Pesticides http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/7106/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6307 2. Lisa P. Jackson's blog site http://blog.epa.gov/administrator/ 3. The Daily Show: "Lisa P. Jackson Interview pt. 2 http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-may-19-2011/exclusive---lisa-p--jackson-extended-interview-pt--2
Maluhia Group seeks to fill the position of "Whistleblower(s)". This is a part-time position requiring "a person who tells the public or someone in authority about alleged dishonest or illegal activities (misconduct) occurring in a government department, a public or private organization, or a company (1)." Maluhia Group will act as conduit for reporting of alleged violations ensuring anonymity of "Whistleblower(s)". Maluhia Group will also provide Attorney Referral Service (2).
The ideal candidate will report alleged violations of certain environmental laws or regulations under the Clean Air Act (CAA), Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), in relation to GMO agriculture and pesticide use on the island of Kauai, Hawaii (3).
Honesty and a belief in justice would be considered a plus. If you feel you are qualified send e-mail to maluia-wcms@hotmail.com or written response attn: Maluhia Group P.O. Box 1138 Kalaheo, HI 96741. There is no deadline for reply of prospective applicants.
1. Whistleblower
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whistleblower
2. The National Whistleblowers Legal Defense and Education Fund
http://www.whistleblowersblog.org/promo/attorney-referrals/
3. United States Department of Labor: Whistleblower and Retaliation Protections http://www.dol.gov/compliance/guide/whistle.htm#who
Chicken Little is dead (1,2). It was an uneventful passing. A journalist's only comment was, "his epitaph will read, 'The sky is falling.' " Too many found this cynically humorous because as everyone knows the sky never fell. The obituary read that he was consumed by indifference and is survived by Hope and Reason. Preceded in death by Integrity and Courage; in remembrance and celebration of life, friends and relatives may bend over, put their heads between their legs, and kiss their asses' goodbye.
1. Henny Penny http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henny_Penny 2. "The Story of Chicken Little" http://eleaston.com/chicken.html 3. Image (#44) http://www.worth1000.com/contests/18662/18662-chickens
It's the season of Corn Cough. Throughout the reproductive stage to harvest, Corn Cough has many other explanations. Vog is the most common, flu-season, a bug, a cold, asthma are symptoms of an "emergency" (1). Closest to correct would be an allergy. Bioengineered crops may cause an "exaggerated reaction by our immune system" during certain stages of growth (2). Air-borne or ingested, symptoms include labored breathing, itchy eyes, lethargy, deep dry cough, chest pain, dizziness, arrhythmia. When reviewing the health impacts of GMO crops there is much variability in severity and specificity of symptom. Recently in GMO corn and soy "the discovery of an electron microscopic pathogen that appears to significantly impact the health of plants, animals, and probably human beings", may be the allergen (3).
"The founders and members of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine founded in 1965, are recognized as the first to describe ... many previously unknown syndromes and illnesses induced by exposures to biological and chemical agents encountered in air, food and water." Gulf War Syndrome is but one (4). Their recommendations in relation to GMO's are:
Physicians to educate their patients, the medical community, and the public to avoid GM foods when possible and provide educational materials concerning GM foods and health risks.
Physicians to consider the possible role of GM foods in the disease processes of the patients they treat and to document any changes in patient health when changing from GM food to non-GM food.
Our members, the medical community, and the independent scientific community to gather case studies potentially related to GM food consumption and health effects, begin epidemiological research to investigate the role of GM foods on human health, and conduct safe methods of determining the effect of GM foods on human health.
For a moratorium on GM food, implementation of immediate long term independent safety testing, and labeling of GM foods, which is necessary for the health and safety of consumers (5).
Arrhythmia: a disorder of the heart rate (pulse) or heart rhythm, such as beating too fast (tachycardia), or too slow (bradycardia), or irregularly.
Often misdiagnosed in agricultural areas, bradycardia and tachycardia arrhythmia and irregular heart rates are known symptoms of Carbamate and Organophosphate pesticide exposure. Physical findings vary according to the route of exposure, the age of patient, and the specific chemical (1). Common symptoms include: chest pain, fast or slow heartbeat (palpitations), paleness, shortness of breath, light-headedness, dizziness, fainting, skipping beats - changes in the pattern of the pulse, incoordination, muscle twitching, runny nose, and sweating (2,3)
Misdiagnosis occurs when Organophosphate / Carbamate exposure is not a consideration. When "confirming a diagnosis of Organophosphate insecticide poisoning, it is useful to consider what other medical conditions might be possible misdiagnoses or other alternative conditions relevant to diagnosis
Read more at http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/o/organophosphate_insecticide_poisoning/misdiag.htm?ktrack=kcplink
(4)." If an arrhythmia is detected, various tests may be done to confirm or rule out suspected causes. When testing results do not confirm a physiological cause for the exposure induced arrhythmia, consistently the misdiagnosis becomes psychological. If you are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms and live in an agricultural area such as the west side of Kauai, ask your health care professional to include testing for pesticide poisoning in their prescribed testing regiment.
1.Toxicity, Organophosphates http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1009888-overview 2. PuBMed Health - U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002091 3. Center for Disease Control: Characteristic Signs and Symptoms... http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/pesticides/pdfs/pest-cd2app2v2.pdf 4. Misdiagnosis of Organophosphate Insecticide Poisoning http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/o/organophosphate_insecticide_poisoning/misdiag.htm 5. Image http://www.21stcenturycollaborative.com/2010/07/matters-of-the-heart/
Where have the toads gone? Where are the whales this year? There used to be a tree of egrets at roost by the river mouth, now they're gone. Where? The dolphin pod that inhabits Kauai's west side waters are swimming further off-shore. Why? People are getting sick. How? Ask a doctor on Kauai's westside if you'd like to see what a prune looks like. Hypocritical oath, or a communities cognitive dissonance? Drive west on the island of Kauai and understand what has occurred. Especially after heavy rains.
The following pesticides are being applied to ag lands at Polihale.
Aatrex Nine - O: Restricted Use Pesticide - "ground and surface water concerns (1)."
Dual II Magnum: Restricted Use Pesticide - "potential to leach through soil into ground water under certain conditions and agricultural use..." "Use of this chemical in areas where soils are permeable, particularly where the water table is shallow may result in ground water contamination." "potential to contaminate surface water through ground spray drift, potential for runoff into surface water for several months post-application." " These include poorly drained or wet soils with readily visible slopes toward adjacent surface waters, frequently flooded areas... areas with field canals or ditches that drain to surface water (2)."
Harness: Restricted Use Pesticide - "ground and surface water concerns (3)."
Perm-Up 3.2 : Restricted Use Pesticide - "due to toxicity to Fish and Aquatic Organisms (4)."
EC / Prowl H20: Restricted Use Pesticide - "This product is toxic to fish. DO NOT apply directly to water, or to areas where surface water is present...," "Drift and runoff from treated areas may be hazardous to aquatic organisms in adjacent aquatic sites (5,6)."
Warrior II: Restricted Use Pesticide - "This product is highly toxic to fish and aquatic organisms and wildlife." "this product is highly toxic to bees..." "Drift and runoff from treated areas may be hazardous to aquatic organisms in neighboring areas (7)."
1. Aatrex Nine - O http://www.syngentacropprotection.com/pdf/labels/SCP585AL101CC0110.pdf 2. Dual II Magnum http://www.syngentacropprotection.com/pdf/labels/SCP818AL1N0809n.pdf 3. Harness Xtra http://www.cdms.net/LDat/ld07L017.pdf 4. Perm-Up 3.2 http://www.cdms.net/LDat/ld5MK005.pdf 5. Prowl EC http://www.cdms.net/LDat/ld867008.pdf 6. Prowl H20 http://www.cdms.net/LDat/ld6CT021.pdf 7. Warrior II http://www.syngentacropprotection.com/pdf/labels/SCP1295AL2B0709.pdf 8. "prune" = scared doctor http://cdn.freeprintablecoloringpages.net/samples/At_The_Doctor/Scared_Doctor.png
is an economic system based on Agri-business profit efforts regardless of impact on environment and public health. It is characterized by investments that are determined by prices, production, and distribution of goods under the guise of competition in a free market (1). Enticement, environmental injustice, manipulation of government policy, below living wage employment, with isolation of profit at the upper corporate echelons are all core benchmark values (2,3).
1. Democracy Now! The War and Peace Report http://www.democracynow.org/2010/12/23/wikileaks_cables_reveal_us_sought_to 2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Environmental Justice http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice 3. Living Wage Calculator for Honolulu County, Hawaii http://www.livingwage.geog.psu.edu/counties/15003 4. Joe Strumer and the Mescaleros: Johnny Appleseed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kJ2S9BasUc
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. (1)"
So often we forget. They changed the trash pick-up to Thursday, now I'm really screwed. Over a two year period less the same time past, 20 school children were taken to the hospital in Waimea. What happened? I forget. It happened again about 2 miles west. Twenty seven people have died of cancer in my neighborhood. Oh. There's a neighborhood in Wailua that has almost that many children diagnosed with A.S.D. (2). It's like Erin Brockovich. No. It's like Michael Clayton. That was a screen play, not real (3). Is Erin Brockovich real? Some parts. Communities were torn apart and change occurred. "Make a solemn promise: to enjoy our rightful part of the riches of this land, to throw off the yoke of being considered as agricultural implements or slaves. We are free men and we demand justice (4)."
1. George Santayana. The Life of Reason or The Phases of Human Progress: Reason in Common Sense 284 (2nd ed., Charles Scribner's Sons, New Your, New York 1924 2. Autism and Pesticide Exposure http://maluiawcms.blogspot.com/2008/12/autism-and-pesticide-exposure.html 3. Askville by amazon:Is the movie Michael Clayton based on a true story? http://askville.amazon.com/movie-Michael-Clayton-based-true-story/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=16234592 4. UC Davis: Cesar Chavez http://www.blackgradsdavis.com/index.php?option=com_awiki&view=mediawiki&article=Cesar_Chavez?qsrc=3044 5. Image: "The Thinker" at the Rodin Museum, Philadelpia, PA
to dissolve out by the action of a percolating liquid, taking away
"If you know your soil's potential for leaching and your pesticide's potential leaching, you are ready to determine the soil-pesticide interaction rating. You should know whether your soil has a high, intermediate, or low potential for leaching. You should also know whether your pesticide has a large, medium, small, or extra small potential for leaching. To see how these factors interact, refer to this chart (1)."
The cultivation or growth of a single crop or organism especially on agricultural or forest land.
"A growing number of people have become concerned about the long-term sustainability of existing food production systems. Evidence has accumulated showing that whereas the present capital- and technology-intensive farming systems have been extremely productive and competitive, they also bring a variety of economic, environmental and social problems (2) ." "Evidence shows that the very nature of the agricultural structure and prevailing policies have led to this environmental crisis by favoring large farm size, specialized production, crop monocultures and mechanization... The lack of rotations and diversification take away key self-regulating mechanisms, turning monocultures into highly vulnerable agroecosystems dependent on high chemical inputs... An excessive reliance on monoculture farming and agroindustrial inputs, such as capital-intensive technology, pesticides, and chemical fertilizers, has negatively impacted the environment and rural society (3)" "The need to subsidize monocultures requires increases in the use of pesticides and fertilizers, but the efficiency of use of applied inputs is decreasing and crop yields in most key crops are leveling off. In some places, yields are actually in decline. There are different opinions as to the underlying causes of this phenomenon. Some believe that yields are leveling off because the maximum yield potential of current varieties is being approached, and therefore genetic engineering must be applied to the task of redesigning crop. Agroecologists, on the other hand, believe that the leveling off is because of the steady erosion of the productive base of agriculture through unsustainable practices (4)."
1. Merriam-Webster Dictionary http://www.merriam-webster.com 2.Conway, G.R. and Pretty, J.N. 1991. Unwelcome harvest: agriculture and pollution. Earthscan Publisher, London. 3. Altieri, Miguel A. 2000. Modern Agriculture: Ecological impacts and the possibilities for truly sustainable farming http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/~agroeco3/modern_agriculture.html 4.Altieri, M.A. and P.M. Rosset 1995. Agroecology and the conversion of large-scale conventional systems to sustainable management. International Journal of Environmental Studies 50: 165-185.
A review of the "Characteristic Signs and Symptoms for Several Pesticide Active Ingredients and Classes of Pesticides" indicates varied states of emotional duress resulting from exposure to certain pesticides (2). Not listed, the pesticide Chlorpyrifos is widely used in the cultivation of GMO Corn on the island of Kauai. Psychiatric symptoms associated with acute exposure to Chlorpyrifos include anxiety, depression, memory loss, confusion, stupor, bizarre behavior, and restlessness. In children symptoms include seizures, flaccid muscle weakness, pupil constriction, excess salivation, and mental status changes including lethargy (3). Repeat or prolonged exposure to chlorpyrifos may result in the same effects as acute exposure, including the delayed symptoms. Other effects reported on workers repeatedly exposed include impaired memory and concentration, disorientation, severe depression, irritability, confusion, headache, speech difficulties, delayed reaction times, nightmares, sleepwalking and drowsiness or insomnia. An influenza-like condition with headache, nausea, weakness, loss of appetite and malaise has also been reported(4).
"Exposure is practically ubiquitous. We're all exposed (1)." Prior consideration of variables, a recent study found detectable levels of pesticide compounds in the urine of 94 percent of children tested. Research findings support the hypothesis that organophosphate exposure, at levels common among US children may contribute to ADHD prevalence (2). Seventeen percent of children in the United States have been diagnosed with one or more developmental disabilities. This percentage has risen dramatically in the past decade and continues to increase. These disabilities are... the result of complex interactions among genetic, environmental, and social factors that impact children during vulnerable periods of development. Research demonstrates that pervasive toxic substances, such as mercury, lead, PCBs, dioxins, pesticides, solvents, and others, can contribute to neurobehavioral and cognitive disorders (3). The US National Academy of Sciences estimates that at least 25% of learning and behavioral disabilities are due to either known toxic substances or the interactions between environmental factors and genetic predispositions(4).
Exposure to pesticides may lead to: • Impairment of short-term memory • Slower psychomotor and reaction speed • Emotional instability, more frequent instances of anxiety, irritability, and depression • Personality disorders or changes, mood changes • Shortened attention spans, associated with ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivitydisorder), which affects 3 to 6% of all school children • Delays in physical stamina and hand-eye coordination • Decreased number of brain cells and neurotransmitter receptors with exposure during critical points of development, that lead to significant IQ deficits and reading impairments • Incomplete development of the fetal brain (5)
Toxicity is the capacity of a chemical to cause harm to health. The amount needed to cause harm depends on the chemical. Like other chemicals, some pesticides are more toxic than others. A small quantity of a highly toxic pesticide can cause great harm..., the longer you are exposed the greater the chance of harm (1). A new analysis of U.S. health data links children's attention-deficit disorder with exposure to common pesticides... (2).The study found that the risk of having ADHD increases in children who have higher concentrations of dialkyl phosphate metabolites. The metabolites indicate exposure to organophosphates, pesticides that affect the nervous system. Those with higher-than-average levels of this metabolite were two times more likely to have ADHD than those whose levels were undetectable (3,4). The new study shows it's possible even tiny, allowable amounts of pesticide may affect brain chemistry (2,4). 1. What Are the Potential Health Effects of Pesticides? - California Department of Pesticide Regulation http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/dept/comguide/effects_excerpt.pdf 2. "Research links pesticide with ADHD in children" http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100517/ap_on_he_me/us_med_children_pesticides 3. "Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Urinary Metabolites of Organophosphate Pesiticides" - Pediatrics, May 17 http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2009-3058v1 4. "Pesticides may increase risk of ADHD in children" - American Medical News http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/05/31/prsb0531.htm
"Cherish the Earth" - Journal of the Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter
Malama I Ka Honua, a quarterly newsletter published by the Sierra Club in it's most recent issue recognized Maluhia Group for it's efforts. Maluhia Group members were named Pono award recipients for their work which resulted in an end to the spraying of chlorpyrifos and organophosphate pesticides on agricultural lands adjacent Waimea Canyon Middle School. Since pesticide application ceased there have been no "spikes" of illness indicative of pesticide exposure to students or staff. Previous illness "spikes" were attributed to the benign weed Cleome Gynandra by state, federal, and corporate investigators without scientific investigation despite illness symptoms being verbatim M.S.D.S. of known applied pesticides. Maluhia Group members continue their Community Based Participatory Research Project in an effort to:
Determine the concentration of pesticides in the air at Waimea Canyon Middle School
Review school health records, weather data, and known application dates to evaluate possible correlations of illness "spike" events with pesticide exposure.
Use the data collected to renew a call for legislation eliminating the use of pesticides in close proximity of schools and communities.
Inform the affected community and the media of the research project results.
Provide free access to this data to be used as a benchmark for other communities addressing similar challenges through public forum and the Maluhia Group blog.
Establish a statewide database of incidents involving pesticide drift and the adverse health effects of G.M.O. agriculture practices to individuals and the environment.
Continue building the capacity to carry out advocacy work promoting viable alternatives to harmful, synthetic pesticides, by holding informative workshops, bringing in guest speakers, communicating information about pesticides to the public.
Attempts to discover what happened to the County of Kauai City Council's $50,000 contribution to CTAHR to studyCleomeGynandra have gone unanswered. This weed was blamed for 2 years of student and staff illness at Waimea Canyon Middle School on the island of Kauai. During acute incident's students and staff were taken to the hospital. Coincidentally, it's been 2 years since pesticide spraying on bordering ag land leased by Syngenta ceased and there have been no incidents of illness "spikes". Attached are photos taken on 02-24-2010 of Field #809 covered in blooming CleomeGynandra. No one was taken to the hospital. The field was plowed under on 02-26-2010. This plowing cycle has been occurring for the past 2 years covering the campus in pesticide lading dust(2). CleomeGynandra is the only weed that grows in the field now .
Unfortunately even computer genius Bill Gates has been sold the GMO solution to world hunger myth (1). Despite his renowned efforts with limited experiential knowledge, he should meet with more people like Dr. Vandana Shiva and less venture capitalist Frankenstein farmers. True long-term solutions for the world's hunger crisis do not require subjugation to corporations.
...a physicist, ecologist, activist, editor and author of numerous books, Dr. Vandana Shiva is a tireless defender of the environment (1).
1. The My Hero Project - Dr. Vandana Shiva http://www.myhero.com/myhero/hero.asp?hero=Shiva 2. Vandana Shiva:The Future of Food - Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi1FTCzDSck
This article was originally posted on July 15th, 2007. With cultivation season upon us and pesticide use at it's highest amounts ever on the island of Kauai, we repost this resource.
The general term "pesticide" includes herbicides, fumigants, insecticides, nemacides, fungicides, miticides, rodenticides, termiticides, molluscides, acaricides, bird repellents and some wood preservatives (1).
In California, glyphosate is the third most commonly-reported cause of pesticide related illness among agricultural workers (2). The active ingredient in Syngenta's Touchdown product is glyphosate (3). Of the ten chemicals known to have been applied to Ag lands adjacent W.C.M.S (see Pesticide 101), glyphosate is the most benign. Six of the chemicals are considered Cholinesterase inhibitors (4). While the effects of cholinesterase inhibiting products are intended for insect pests, these chemicals can also be poisonous, or toxic to humans in some situations. Human exposure to cholinesterase inhibiting chemicals can result from inhalation, ingestion, eye and skin contact during the manufacture, mixing, or applications of these pesticides (5). Unfortunately, signs and symptoms of cholinesterase inhibition from exposure can be confused with influenza (flu), heat prostration, alcohol intoxication, exhaustion, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), asthma, gastroenteritis, pneumonia, and brain hemorrhage. This can cause problems if the symptoms of lowered cholinesterase levels are either ignored or misdiagnosed as something more or less harmful than they really are (5,6). To date Hawaii DOA/DOH has made no attempt to correlate the school health aide records of reported illness and/or staff statements with Syngenta spray operation application type, time & dates. Informal attempts show a significant correlation of spray dates and student/staff "spikes" of illness indicative of chronic pesticide exposure.
"...we're asking the government to set safety standards protecting children who grow up near farms from the harmful effects of pesticide drift—the toxic spray or vapor that travels from treated fields. We're also asking officials to immediately adopt no-spray buffer zones around homes, schools, parks and daycare centers for the most dangerous and drift-prone pesticides... Children who live, go to school, and play near farms and orchards deserve to be kept safe from poisonous pesticides. Ask your congressperson to support this effort (1)."
"Despite campaign promises to the contrary, President Obama has nominated to two key posts “Big Ag” industry insiders who come straight from the chemical pesticide and biotechnology sectors. We need 50,000 signatures! To make this kind of impact, PAN is joining a broad coalition of partner groups from around the country in mobilizing to block these nominations (2)."
