Ellyn
Joined: 16 Jul 2000
Posts: 4458
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PAN ALERT: Tell EPA to Reverse Methyl Iodide Approval
 Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:04 am
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PAN ALERT: Tell EPA to Reverse Methyl Iodide Approval
On October 5, EPA approved a new fumigant pesticide -- the carcinogenic chemical methyl iodide -- ignoring concerns of over fifty eminent scientists about the risks workers and communities will face if this chemical is used.
Arysta Life Sciences, the Japanese manufacturer, has announced plans to market methyl iodide globally as a replacement for the ozone depleting methyl bromide, slated for international phase-out under the Montreal Protocol treaty. In a letter to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson on September 25, the nation's leading chemists asked EPA not to approve methyl iodide without further scientific review. The chemical has been used to induce cancer in laboratory experiments and causes neurological and thyroid problems, as well as miscarriages in studies with laboratory animals.
Tell EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson to immediately reverse EPA's approval of methyl iodide: don't replace one dangerous chemical with another.
Because large amounts of methyl iodide will be applied as a soil fumigant and the chemical is very volatile, off-site drift into neighboring communities is inevitable. What we need instead is support for farmers to switch to healthy and sustainable agriculture.
Please sign on today. We will add your name to the letter below and submit it early next week with sign-ons by thousands of other concerned people from the United Farm Workers of America and Organic Consumers Association who are joining PAN in this campaign. Thank you!
To sign petition, click:
http://action.panna.org/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=744 |
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