THE FOREST AND PESTICIDES

October 16, 2015

Assorted notes from the winter of 2014-2015, not complete coverage of the subject.

The 1970 Canadian Government spraying for Spruce Budworm used organophosphate Fenitrothion on tens of thousands of acres of New Brunswick which just happened to be in Blueberry areas.  The Bumblebees were killed. The area’s Blueberry production took years to recover. Nearby Nova Scotia did not spray, lost no Bumblebees and kept their Blueberry production

Subject: saving Northern Ontario from Chemical Contamination 8/23/2007, National Aboriginal Association,  Ottawa.

“A number of individuals have joined together requesting that government agencies including:

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, OMNR;  Provincial and Federal Ministries of Environment;  Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans; and The Environmental Commission of Ontario, take appropriate steps to sample water quality before and after herbicide applications expected to occur in Northern Ontario during the summer of 2007.  “

‘Currently such testing is not routinely performed.”

The letter goes on to say that at that time, 2007,  “the issue of herbicide application is one which is non-negotiable with the companies.” 

The NAFA  (National Aboriginal Forestry Association) believes it is for” financial reasons alone” that the companies do not use other “ tools” to manage the vegetation.

The NAFA states, “ The residents in Northern Ontario are literally being exposed to toxic chemicals “ (banned elsewhere) “ for the sake of increasing shareholders profits.”

The letter goes on to say: “If this notion bothers you…express your opinion.”

“ It is important to remember that this environmental degradation affects First Nations, Metis and all other communities in Northern Ontario alike.  No one should feel excluded or immune from this chemical contamination of air, water , fish and wildlife.

“The Report submitted in July 2007 cites empirical evidence indicative that spray drift is routinely exceeding the currently required buffer zones for herbicide application.  In addition to risks of herbicide entering the waterways by spray drift, evidence is mounting that groundwater may also become contaminated, later mixing with surface water holding fish.”

“In Northern Ontario (2007) the two main herbicides being used include glyphosate and 2,4-D as their base chemical, Round-Up and Killex respectively. Evidence of glyphosate contaminating ground water in Cochrane, Ontario, is consistent with findings in European countries such as Denmark. 2,4-D ground water contamination is well recognized globally.”

According to Lorraine A. Rekmans, the Aboriginal Affairs Advocate for the  Green Party of Canada, “ The systematic application of chemical herbicides in Ontario and the contamination of waterways is in violation of The Treaties signed with the original peoples of Ontario and impacts directly on basic human rights to healthy food sources.  This is a violation of our Constitutionally protected rights as Aboriginal Peoples.  In fact a violation of all people’s rights.  As a member of Confederation, Ontario has to take its responsibility to uphold treaties seriously.”

SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS

“ Notably, study of the synergistic effects of 2,4-D and glyphosate mixtures, either intentional or unintentional, is not required by governments in Canada, and thus testing of synergistic impacts is limited.” Pg. 7

DRIFT

“Glyphosate drift-damage is likely to be much more extensive and more persistent than with many other herbicides.” Pg 8  “This herbicide can be extensively mobile in the soil…”  Run-off into the water.

HEALTH

Continued herbicide use will result in significant contamination with human health implications.

“Numerous laboratory studies have shown the ability of glyphosate and glyphosate containing herbicide products to cause genetic damage.”

“In the specific study examined, Round-Up, and its active ingredient glyphosate, were tested in the same battery of assays for the induction of DNA damage and chromosomal effects invivo and in vitro.”

Damage was noted in mice – bone marrow, lover and kidney.

“Furthermore, when testing the effects of the pesticide compounds on human lymphocytes it was shown that after treatment, both glyphosate and Round-Up significantly induced Chromatid exchanges. These chromatid exchanges could result in mutagenic effects.”

“In addition, glyphosate has also been proven to have carcinogenetic effects.” “Three studies found a link between glyphosate exposure  and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.”

“Furthermore, another study from the University of Minnesota demonstrates that both glyphosate and Round-Up caused a rapid increase in cell division in human breast cancer cells.”

“Furthermore, glyphosate exposure has been linked to increased risk of pregnancy problems, but the mechanism of action in mammals is questionable.”

Joel Theriault, White Moose petition –re the earlier  request for water quality  testing:

Petition rejected by Government due to lack of documentation of Glyphosate in Water, 2007.

The White Moose site has much of Joel Theriaults’ earlier writings re pesticides.

After the final rejection by the government Joel Theriault  now works in the legal department of EcoJustice and stays away from pesticides.

The current herbicide used in Canada forestry cornering 90% of the market is Glyphosate.

100,000 (one hundred thousand)  hectares treated annually in Ontario predominantly areal spray.

Glyphosate, aka:

Round-Up

Roundup original

Round-up Biactive

Vision

Vision Max

Weather Max

Touchdown, and

Catena.

Glyph formulations with inert ingredient POEA are highly toxic to many larval amphibian species.

Inert ingredients are not toxic to plants.

Since chemical formulas are usually secret they (the companies) are not required to list inert ingredients.

As the article I was reading says, any good lab can analyze the product and tell what’s in it.  The only people kept in the dark are the general public.