California Farm Workers POISONED By "Registered" Pesticides

The two toxic pesticides, Omite and Lorsban, drifted onto the grape workers from a nearby almond field that was being sprayed

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Subject:   California Farm Workers POISONED By "Registered" Pesticides----
Date:      Wed, 14 Jun 2000 09:19:08 -0400
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 thought you might like to read an article from the Las Vegas SUN, dated June 10, 2000 - entitled: Farm Workers Treated for Pesticide - ASSOCIATED PRESS.

TERRA BELLA, Calif. (AP) -- Two dozen farm workers were treated at a hospital after apparently being sprayed with pesticides by a nearby crop duster.

The two toxic pesticides, Omite and Lorsban, drifted onto the grape workers from a nearby almond field that was being sprayed Friday, Kern County fire engineer Benny Wofford said.

The workers, all women, went to Delano Regional Medical Center to be treated for nausea, respiratory ailments and burning eyes.

A man who said he was directing the helicopter pilot spraying for GK Lewis Aviation of Shafter disputed the farm workers' claims. He said he was between the crop dusting and the farm workers, and was not affected.

"I was there in short sleeves with my windows rolled down and I got nothing," said Carl Neumann, a retired crop duster pilot.

Wofford said the Tulare County agriculture commissioner and the health department were investigating.

The incident came just one day after the government and manufacturers agreed to phase out Lorsban because of concern that it poses health risks to children in homes, schools and parks.

Well Lyndon, did you ever realize these "incidents" are always going to happen as long as you require that only "registered" POISONS can "legally" be used to 'control" pest problems in California?  Lyndon, if your "registered" toxins actually "controlled" pest problems - the "registered"/omnipresent contamination you have caused would guarantee there would be no pests anywhere.  There is no longer anywhere on earth that is not contaminated - yet we now have greater pest problems!  Way to go Lyndon!

Respectfully,  Stephen L. Tvedten

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