It should be noted that California law requires health professionals to report to the Public Health Department all suspected pesticide related illnesses, accidents and deaths. It should also be noted that many health care providers fail to make these reports.
The report ignores the acute and chronic health effects of the more than obvious air pollution in the Ukiah valley. On any given day, one can observe the plumes of effluent wafting into air from the Masonite plant. Are we to assume that there is no health effect to the residents from these fumes? There is no mention of it in the health report. Anyone driving by the pear orchards on Highway 101 can spot tractors spraying large quantities of pesticides among the rows of pear trees. These are toxic fumes wafting into nearby homes and into the automobiles on the road. Wine grape growers are fumigating hundreds of acres with Methyl Bromide near homes and schools. Methyl Bromide is an undisputed health hazard
Where do 1,700,000 million pounds of chemicals end up? First, in the air, next in the ground and then in the ground water. How many domestic water wells are polluted with these poisons, and what is the health effect on the folks who drink this water? There is no mention of this health hazard in the Public Health Report draft.
As Dr. Marion Moses, M.D. points out in her book "Designer Poisons", the chronic health effects of these poisons are all too often tragic. Unfortunately, many of the above instances of pollution are committed by farmers and faceless corporations who are more concerned with next year's profits than the public welfare. This comes as no surprise. What is surprising however, is that the agency mandated to insure the public health is also ignoring the effects of these poisons on the people.
Another pesticide-caused health problem ignored by the Department of Public Health is the home use of insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, and herbicides. Most acute and chronic pesticide poisonings occur among children whose parents use these products, not realizing their deadly effects. Beside accidental poisonings to children due to ingestion, these chemicals have terrible long-term health effects. Many of the most common over-the-counter insecticides and herbicides such as Roundup, Kleenup, and Orthene, are associated with neurotoxic illness, brain tumors and other cancers, reproductive hazards (infertility, low sperm counts), and genetic damage. The County Health Report makes no mention of these problems.
The Department of Public Health's mandate is to be aware of public health hazards and to take action in order to protect the citizenry from injury and illness. The Department does not appear to be aware of some terribly pressing health hazards in Mendocino County.
Concerned residents can call or write the Department of Public Health at 707/463-4461, 890 N. Bush, Ukiah, CA 95482 or 707/964- 4713, 120 West Fir, Fort Bragg, CA 95437. Public health is everybody's business.
A Copy of "Designer Poisons-How to protect your Health and Home from Toxic Pesticides," by Marion Moses, M.D. can be ordered from the Pesticide Education Center, P.O. Box 420870, San Francisco, CA 94142. Tel: 415-391-8511, FAX 415-391-9159. e-mail: pec@igc.apc.org or Toll Free: 800-PEC-FREE (732-3733) VISA/MC only. ($19.95+Shipping)
Els Cooperrider is a Botanist and Landscape Ecologist. She is an organic gardener and landscape designer creating California Native and Environmentally Friendly landscapes.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 1997
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited