|
Aerial
spraying a health risk.
 Painted apple moth caterpillar.
Foray 48B is a commercial formulation containing 97.9% inert, chemical
ingredients. The manufacturer refuses to divulge what these are. Overseas
these have been found to include: toluene,
parabens, sulphuric
acid, phosphoric acid,
sodium hydroxide (lye) and a long
list of other potentially harmful or carcinogenic substances. These,
along with the Bt component (live bacterial spores), are suspected of
causing health problems and allergic reactions. The Foray 48B label
states: "Hazard to Humans (And Domestic
Animals) Caution. Causes moderate eye irritation.
Avoid contact with skin, eyes, open wounds or clothing. Users should
wash hands before eating, drinking, using tobacco or using the toilet.
If on Skin: Wash with plenty of soap and water. Get medical attention.
If in Eyes: Flush with plenty of water. Call a physician if eye irritation
persists." Btk is a live bacteria and give or
take a few bits of highly mobile DNA it is the same family as anthrax
and B. cereus - which causes symptoms of extreme food poisoning.
Genes have been found to exchange between them. Everywhere in the world
where Foray 48B has been sprayed the same pattern of health effects
has emerged. In east Auckland when it was sprayed 4 years ago for the
tussock moth there were over 700 cases of health effects reported which
included: Severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions; Lung/respiratory
problems; difficulty breathing; worsened asthma; mucus build up; severe
coughing; sinusitis; sneezing; Respiratory infections; Flu-like symptoms;
unusual tiredness; Unusual, persistent, migraine headaches; Severe skin
rashes; burning; Nose bleeds; ear infections; burning throats; Gastrointestinal
problems; nausea; diarrhoea; vomiting; Eye problems including burning,
conjunctivitis, corneal ulceration; Seizures; Miscarriages; Premature
births; Thyroid effects: a number of babies were born without thyroids
and currently a group of women and babies with thyroid effects is being
investigated as a cluster by Public Health authorities. The same health
effects are now being experienced by Hamiltonians and west Aucklanders,
their children and animals. People are suffering from illnesses they
have never had before in their lives. MAF has paid to relocate a horse
suffering from fist sized lumps under the skin, swelling of limbs and
vomiting. Residents are reporting similar health effects in their pets.
The Auckland Zoo has contacted MAF with its concerns should spraying
take place nearby. Public Health officials have been overwhelmed with
people reporting adverse health effects and MAF is funding at least
21 residents relocation and specialists bills even though they are telling
us that the spray has been given a clean bill of health. However, it
has never been tested for its long term safety or its safety for pregnant
women. If the spray zone is extended Auckland's water catchment area
in the ranges will be sprayed. In Victoria, Canada an unprecedented
bacterial spike was experienced in the water supply after spraying took
place over the water catchment. In Nova Scotia, Btk spores were detected
in the municipal water supply months after spraying, indicating that
chlorination is not sufficient to kill the spores. In Canada and Oregon
the government paid for all those who wanted to be evacuated to hotels
during spraying. Aerially sprayed Btk has been scientifically proven
to drift at least a kilometer and to build up inside people's homes.
It has also been found to persist in air, soil, water and people's gardens.
Overseas reports show many adverse effects on the environment including
loss of birds, beneficial insects and butterflies, including many rare
species. Mud crabs, fish and eels were also affected and it was found
to be toxic to rainbow trout. East Aucklanders say that birds are only
now beginning to return. Bird Rescue reports birds being born with deformities
and without wings. West Aucklanders in the spray zone now report that
the birds have disappeared from their gardens and they are finding many
dead and dying insects, including wetas and praying mantises. No
research has been done anywhere in the world on the Painted Apple Moth.
It is widespread in Australia and is not considered a threat there.
The female cannot fly. Feeding trials here have ascertained it is not
a threat to the majority of our natives. It has a preference for wattles
and in Australia it is called the "wattle moth." Here 80%
of finds have been on wattles. The woman who first discovered the caterpillars
on her property in Glendene reported that although there were many caterpillars
they did not destroy whole trees, only eating what they needed, and
the trees grew back. They did not even destroy young trees. This is
consistent with reports that defoliated trees generally recover. The
infested wattles once visible on Traherne Island have been showing signs
of recovery since before aerial spraying started. MAF claims that the
Painted Apple Moth will cost the economy over $58 million. The moth
has been here for nearly 4 years – so far it has not cost the economy
a cent. But it has already cost the taxpayer over $23 million and now
the government intends to spend another $90 million. The only potential
threat appears to possibly be to the forestry industry's monocultured
crops of cloned GE pine trees. We are asking why WE should have to pay
to protect private forestry. Much of the evidence MAF has quoted in
support of using Btk comes from evidence presented by Agriculture Canada
to an Environmental Appeal Board in British Columbia where they lost
their bid to ground spray Btk in a residential area which also contained
a primary school. In their decision the Board noted that: Btk
had caused health reactions in previously sprayed areas. Children are
at particular risk from the effects of Btk; There is the possibility
of lung injury on exposure to Btk; According to the manufacturer repeated
exposure can result in sensitisation and allergic response; Ground spray
workers suffered health reactions and remained culture positive for
prolonged periods of time; There have been no long term studies done
on the effects of Btk on human health; The spraying is not effective;
the evidence is weak in showing a link between reduced moth populations
and Btk spraying. There is also evidence of insects developing resistance
to Btk. MAF has been informed of a variety of alternative
treatments but have shown virtually no interest in pursuing them. Various
methods are used overseas and HortResearch is working on a pheromone
here, although some believe they have a lack of willingness to complete
the work or to investigate other alternatives to aerial spraying. We
demand that the aerial spray programme be abandoned in favour of ground-based
treatments or a higher concentration of live trapping as was being used
in east Auckland earlier this year. Failing this, that spraying take
place over forestry areas only, if, or when the moth reaches that far.
For further information:
|
Study
questions spray risk: bureaucrats lied to citizens. 1st
May 2004 The study, commissioned by the Ministry of Health, examined the health effects of the Foray 48B spray, dropped over residential areas of Hamilton and West Auckland in staggering quantities, and which have caused immense suffering. Most folks complaining were fobbed off by lying bureaucrats, including Ministry of Agriculture officials (who set up their own "health service" staffed by tame doctors, who scrutinised each patient's medical history before pronouncing "that is a previous condition" or "it's all in your head".) Others who joined the chorus of bootlickers of the Clark regime included the City Visionists (a front for the Labour Party), whose poison spray spokesperson, Graeme Easte, went to huge efforts to reassure people that the spray is "harmless" rather than "the biggest problem facing our region at present" as locals alleged. And Kenneth McGrath, a lecturer at Auckland University of Technology, also came out with bland assurances that there was no health problem, when he joined bureaucrats on the Association of Handcraft Printers board in censoring a poem about the spray atrocities submitted by one of their members. Read the story. MAF officials' assurances that the spray was safe were "based on false and erroneous assumptions", says the report. "The planned spray over Auckland on 11th May should be called off to protect public health," urged Green Party spokesperson Sue Kedgley. She says the bio-aerosol effect, which makes the spray more toxic when inhaled, is "the smoking gun that links the spray to the symptoms that people have repeatedly complained of. Residents were right all along, even though officials repeatedly dismissed their claims." Another group has called for Helen Clark to be impeached for perpetrating such an atrocity on civilians. "Such atrocities would be dealt with by a War Crimes Tribunal if there was a war on," declared Graham Bernhardt of Class War in Grey Lynn. "Many of the afflicted in Hamilton and West Auckland demand closure, and heads should roll over this disgusting fiasco, and the attempted cover-up." "The report vindicates health concerns held by thousands of ordinary Aucklanders", said Hana Blackmore of the PAM Community Network. She says the people of Auckland have borne the brunt of "this unprecedented aerial assault on their homes and health." "Very few people outside of west Auckland seem to realise the extent of MAF's five year attempt to eradicate this moth. Aerial spraying is still not over for some residents, nearly two and a half years after spraying began," she explained. Green MP Ian Ewen-Street has called for a select committee inquiry into the inaction of MAF that has led to "further unnecessary dousings of Aucklanders from a toxic chemical spray." He says the report raises questions over the approval of Foray 48B by ERMA, and recommends further study into the spray's effects as it found all international studies on aerial Btk spraying programmes had "limitations". |
