From August 8, 2006
Protect
Workers from Pesticide Poisonings
(Beyond
Pesticides, August 8, 2006) Please e-mail
the Environmental Protection Agency today to help protect farm workers
from two very toxic pesticides, azinphos methyl and phosmet, that poison
workers. Five years ago, the EPA found that these two highly toxic organophosphate
neurotoxic pesticides pose "unacceptable" poisoning risks
to workers who are exposed to them.
Organophosphate
pesticides, derived from nerve agents used by the Nazis during World
War II, attack the human nervous system. Exposure can cause nausea,
dizziness, vomiting, seizures, paralysis, loss of mental function and
even death. Farm workers returning home from the fields expose family
members and other residents to organophosphates through their clothing,
cars and skin.
When the EPA allowed continued use of these pesticides, the United Farm
Workers joined Earth Justice and numerous other environmental and farm
worker groups in filling a lawsuit to challenge the Bush administration
over this decision. To settle the lawsuit, the EPA agreed to reconsider
its decision to allow continued use of these toxins.
Now the EPA has announced it is planning to allow further use of one
of the pesticides, phosmet, without sufficient restrictions to prevent
worker poisonings. The EPA is proposing to phase out the other pesticide,
azinphos methyl, over the next four years.
This is unacceptable. It’s already been five years since the EPA
admitted both pesticides pose "unacceptable" risks. It’s
time to stop putting workers in danger. Tell EPA to immediately ban
the use of these toxic pesticides and stop playing political games that
put farm workers and their families at risk.
The EPA is accepting comments through Aug. 8, 2006. It is vital for
farm workers and their children that you send a message ASAP and tell
your friends to do the same. We expect growers to urge the EPA to back
down from the proposed phase out of azinphos methyl. It is critical
that the EPA hear from people who support the phase out and believe
it does not go far enough. Please send your e-mail today!