Fw: Press Release: Pesticide Warning

I was glad to rcv the warning but I would disagree with the statement that
pesticides are only dangerous when used incorrectly. It depends on your
definition of danger and who you are looking out for. Yes, it is possible
that the person making the application could be safe, if instructions are
followed. Possibly. But what about our environment? What about the
beneficial insects? The birds, the bees - our planet?

I love having picture perfect plants as much as the next gardener but I find
I cannot justify the use of pesticides for a hobby. My family will not go
hungry if a crop fails. I am not running a business that depends on plants
being flawless. I feel I have no right to choose to add poisons to the
ecosystem to please myself.

After gardening organically for three years now, I have to report that I
have no more problems with insects than I did when I used pesticides. If a
particular plant is subject to repeated attacks, I don't grow it any more,
instead choosing something that is naturally healthier in our environment.
The fact that this is much less work wasn't anticipated but doesn't hurt.
:-)

Sorry to get on my soapbox. I know there are opposing points of view but for
what it's worth, this is mine.

Cyndi Kirkpatrick
Eos Development
http://www.eosdev.com

============
Just wanted to let everyone know the dangers of having pesticides unlabled
and not locked up.  Pesticides,  are only dangerous when used in correctly.
Please know your chemical before using them.  We have so few of them left.

-----Original Message-----
From: News Editor <NEWSEDITOR@pestreg.cdpr.ca.gov>
To: prslist@pestreg.cdpr.ca.gov <prslist@pestreg.cdpr.ca.gov>
Date: Thursday, November 12, 1998 1:04 PM
Subject: Press Release: Pesticide Warning


>News Release
>Department of Pesticide Regulation
>November 12, 1998
>
>Warning Issued on *Chalk* Pesticide:
>Danger to Children
>
>SACRAMENTO -- Cal/EPA's Department of Pesticide Regulation and the
>California Department of Health Services today warned consumers
>against using illegal insecticides manufactured to resemble blackboard
>chalk.
>
> *These products are deceptively dangerous.  Children could
>easily mistake them for common household chalk,* said State Health
>Officer James Stratton, M.D., M.P.H., *Consumers should avoid them.*
>
> *Obviously, making an insecticide look like a toy is
>dangerous--as well as illegal,* said DPR Chief Deputy Director Jean-Mari
>Peltier.  *We would have the same problem if they made it look like a
>lollipop, or packaged it in a soft drink bottle.*
>
> The products -- sold under various trade names including Pretty
>Baby Chalk, Chinese Chalk, and Miraculous Insecticide Chalk -- are
>hazardous for two reasons.  First, they have been mistaken for common
>household chalk and eaten by children, causing several illnesses.
>Second, because the products are unregistered, ingredients and
>packaging are unregulated.  These products are typically manufactured
>in China and illegally imported.  The packages instruct consumers to
>draw chalk lines on the floor to kill insects that crawl over the
pesticide.
>
> Taking action against one of the distributors, the U.S.
>Environmental Protection Agency today issued an order to Pretty Baby
>Co., in Pomona, Calif., to *stop selling an unregistered product that is
>harmful to public health.* Pretty Baby actively markets its unregistered
>product to consumers and schools on the Internet and in newspaper
>advertisements.
>
> *Products like this can be very dangerous,* said Peltier.  *The
>manufacturer can -- and does--change the formula from one batch to the
>next.  You have no way of knowing if the ingredients are harmless to
>humans, or a deadly poison.*
>
> For instance, three samples of a product labeled *Miraculous
>Insecticide Chalk* were analyzed by DPR last month.  Two contained the
>insecticide deltamethrin; the third contained the insecticide cypermethrin.
>
> Deltamethrin and cypermethrin are synthetic pyrethroids, a
>class of insecticides that act on the nervous system.  Overexposure to
>them can produce serious health effects, including vomiting, stomach
>pains, convulsions, tremors, coma, and death due to respiratory failure.
>Serious allergic reactions are also possible.
>
> In addition, analyses of colorful boxes typically used for these
>products has found high levels of lead and other heavy metals in the
>packaging.  This can be a problem if children place a box in their mouths
>or handle the boxes and transfer the metal residue to their mouths.
>
> Over the past decade, DPR and DHS have received reports of
>isolated illnesses in children linked to ingestion or handling of the
chalk.
>The most serious occurred in 1994, when a San Diego child was
>hospitalized after eating insecticidal chalk.  Most recently, a Visalia
>toddler fell ill several weeks ago after eating a product labeled
>*Miraculous Insecticide Chalk.*
>
> A small display ad for *Pretty Baby Chinese Chalk* ran in the
>October 25 edition of the Los Angeles Times, claiming the product was
>*the safe way to exterminate your home.*  The ad referred readers to a
>Web site that asserts the product is *harmless* and *will not produce
>pollution,* while claiming it will kill cockroaches, ants, lice, and fleas
that
>crawl across a chalk trail drawn on the floor.  The Web site targets
>parents, soliciting children's photographs for contests.
>
> *This is a problem we have dealt with periodically over the past
>decade,* said DPR's Peltier.  *It is difficult to stop the sale of products
>marketed at so many flea markets, swap meets, and small retail outlets.
>With U.S. EPA as our partner, we can crack down on the importers.*
>
> DPR personnel periodically spot-check retail stores, flea
>markets and swap meets to determine if unregistered products are
>offered for sale.  Sellers may be fined up to $5,000 per violation for
>selling an unregistered product.
>
> "If anyone knows where such products are being sold, please
>call DPR's Enforcement Branch, at (916)*445-3920, or the local county
>agricultural commissioner," Peltier said.  The commissioners are DPR's
>pesticide enforcement agents in the field.
>
> Consumers who have purchased these illegal products should
>dispose of them at their local household hazardous waste facilities.
>
>--end--
>
>Media contacts:
>Department of Pesticide Regulation:
>Veda Federighi/Glenn Brank
>916/445-3974
>
>Department of Health Services:
>Ken August, 916/657-3064
>
>U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
>Paula Bruin, 415/744-1587
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