Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2000 19:31:31 -0500
From: Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization: Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)
To: Lyndon Hawkins <hawkins@empm.cdpr.ca.gov>
Senior Research
Scientist
State of California,
Department of Pesticide Regulation
Integrated Pest
Management
Dear Lyndon, I notice that as the Senior Research Scientist for the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, you will be speaking Saturday. The Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice in cooperation with US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9, will present a educational forum on SAFE SCHOOLS = SMART SCHOOLS: A Forum to improve the learning environment at our schools by reducing environmental hazards, Saturday, March 11th at the Riverside County Office of Education, 3939 13th Street, Riverside.
The forum will bring together parents, administrators, teachers, students and other concerned about improving the learning environment of our schools and making schools safer places for our children. Issues to be addressed include pesticide use, indoor air quality of portables and tight buildings, lead poisoning, and radon.
In the announcement they note: A 1998 survey found 87% of surveyed California school districts use "registered" pesticide poisons that regulators identify as causing cancer, reproductive harm or nervous system toxicity.
The announcement also states: "Our purpose in holding this forum, is not to burden school districts with yet another problem they must deal with, but to provide access to experts and resources from around the state that can assist in developing practical solutions to these environmental hazards," said Penny Newman, Executive Director of the Center.
Well Lyndon, are you going to tell this group of concerned citizens that you still will not allow anyone to control pests in California with anything but your "registered" POISONS? May be this would be an excellent opportunity for you to advocate the use of safe and effective (unregistered) alternatives. It will be very difficult to reduce the environmental hazards in school buildings if you do not allow safe and effective alternatives to your "registered" POISONS.
Respectfully, Stephen L. Tvedten
(Editor's Note: Questions we should all ask Lyndon: As the senior research scientist, for the DPR, isn’t it still your opinion that only your "registered" poisons can be used to legally "control" pests in California?
Even knowing that 87% of the schools in California are contaminated with your carcinogens, reproductive and neurotoxic hazards. Does IPM in California still mean "Insert Pesticides Monthly?
When are you going to take a stand on behalf of the people instead of the chemical companies?
When was the last time a bug killed a child... When was the last time a pesticide or chemical killed, injured, hospitalized, or maimed a child? (your a scientist, do the math)
Which part of "research" that doesn't come from a chemical company are you ever going to accept?)
Please!
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