Pesticides can cause problems with speech and thinking.  Gardeners and farmers who use pesticides are at risk of developing brain damage, according to a study. 

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Subject:  Your "Registered" POISONS Can Cause Brain Damage-----
Date:     Sat, 09 Sep 2000 18:00:43 -0400
From:        Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization:     Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)

To:     Paul Helliker <phelliker@cdpr.ca.gov>
          Director, State of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation 

Dear Mr. Helliker, I thought you might like to read an article that came out Friday, 8 September, 2000, 23:21 GMT 00:21 UK - where the BBC News Online noted: Pesticides can cause brain damage.

Pesticides can cause problems with speech and thinking  Gardeners and farmers who use pesticides are at risk of developing brain damage, according to a study.

Research carried out in The Netherlands suggests people who expose themselves to pesticides, including those who work with chemicals, over a long period may suffer from long-term side-effects.

The Maastricht Ageing Study examined the health of 830 people. Of these, 629 had been exposed to pesticides in the course of their work.

It found that many had mild cognitive dysfunction (MCD), which meant they had problems identifying words, colours or numbers and were unable to speak fluently.

The researchers found that people exposed to pesticides were five times more likely to suffer from mild brain problems compared with the general population.

Farmers and gardeners were most at risk of developing problems.

"Our findings suggest that people who are frequently exposed to pesticides, such as arable farmers and gardeners, may have a higher risk of developing MCD," said Hans Bosma, one of the authors.

He added: "Our findings might reflect subtle changes in brain function among people exposed to pesticides."

Writing in the latest issue of the medical journal The Lancet, they said that further research was needed to back up their initial findings.

Pesticides have been associated with everything from cancer and infertility to Gulf War syndrome and eye abnormalities and, in many cases, there is solid evidence to back this up.

For this reason, some countries have banned the use of certain pesticides in food and safety levels have been set for others which are deemed to protect the public.

However, the jury is still out on the risk of consuming many pesticides on a long-term basis.

Well Mr. Helliker,  your continued demand that only your "registered" POISONS may be used to "professionally" control pest problems in California is like having a peeing section in the swimming pool.  I have proven if you remove the use of your "registered" POISONS just in schools the proficiency and SAT scores go up.  Now there is more proof you are helping DUMB-UP the children and adults of America.  When will you really begin to PROTECT the public?  POISONS do not PROTECT - They KILL and INJURE!

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