THE WAR ON WEEDS AND INSECTS

THE WAR ON WEEDS AND INSECTS

PESTICIDES 2

Should we be surprised to read that left-over chemical weapon stocks of WWII were converted “en masse” to herbicides? (It’s all in the wording POST)

I was.

I had lived with the assumption “destroy” meant destroy.

2,4 – D was introduced in 1945.  It was,  and still is, the most widely used synthetic  organic chemical.

2,4 – D is a herbicide that accelerates growth.

2,4 -DB won’t affect the field crops.

However, weeds have “enzymatic versatility” – they change 2,4 -DB and convert it to 2,4 -D and grow themselves to death.

Forward 60 years –

Quebec vs Dow (Agrosciences) : trying to get a re-evaluation of 2, 4 -D.  (Dow Agrosciences – organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, head office: Indianapolis, Indiana )

Decision, May 16, 2008:

“The Government of Quebec agrees that products containing 2,4 – D do not pose an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment, provided that the instructions on their label are followed – as concluded by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA)”

It’s all in the wording

PESTICIDE RISK FACTORS:

Chronic toxicity

Dermal toxicity

Plant surface half life

Soil half life

Mode of action

Systemic absorption in plants

Leaching potential

Fish toxicity

Run-off potential

Bird toxicity

Bee toxicity

Beneficial arthropod toxicity

By the late ‘60’s organic phosphate pesticides had been used long enough for the Federal Aviation Agency (U.S.) to make a study relating to human health.

Besides mental disturbances, the study found chronic exposure to pesticides is associated with:

Anxiety

Uneasiness

Giddiness

Insomnia

Somnambulism

Lassitude

Drowsiness

Tinnitus

Nystagmus

Dizziness

Pyrexia

Paralysis

Paresthesias

Polyneuritis

Mental confusion

Emotional lability

Depression with weeping

Schizophrenic reactions

Dissociation

Fugue

Inability to get along with friends and family

Poor work performance.

PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS ACT  (S.C. 2002 c 28) defines “acceptable risk” as risk for which there is reasonable certainty that no harm to human health, future generations or the environment will result from exposure to or use of the product taking into account its conditions or proposed conditions of registration.                                         

A Known “Killer” is Approved

When the U.S. E.P.A. (Environmental protection Agency) approved the registration of the neonicotinoid pesticides in the mid 1990’s it was right there in the submitted documents – that neonicotinoids were toxic to BEES as well as Earthworms and Terrestrial and Aquatic Invertebrates.

Neonicotinoids were first registered for use on corn in 2001.

Health Canada reports: “The mass deaths of Ontario and Quebec bees in 2012, showed 75% of the Ontario bees tested positive for neonicotinoids.”

These bee deaths were linked to treated corn and soybeans planted in the area.

Bayer Crop Science says “No bees died with neonicotinoids.”

In 2012 Canada lost 200,000 (two hundred thousand) colonies  of bees.

Bayer Crop Science says,” There is not a correlation with the use  of these products and the loss of the colonies.”

Pesticide manufacturers – Bayer Crop Science and Syngenta and CropLife America – say:

“Neonicotinoids are safe – if used as directed”. (It’s all in the wording.)

“They have tests that prove risks to bees and “non-target” insects are minimal.”

September 4, 2014 The Chronicle –Journal, Thunder Bay, Ontario

The Canadian Press report: “Bee Death Lawsuit proposal”

A class-action lawsuit to “recover significant losses and damage that were suffered by Canadian Beekeepers due to the widespread use of neonicotinoid pesticides.”

The allegations were that Bayer Inc and Sergenta International AG were “negligent in their development and distribution of neonicotinoids, as well as permitting , and failing to prevent, damages to beekeepers.”

Also noted in the Statement of Claim: - several neonicotinoid products produced by these companies have received conditional approvals from our Federal Government.