Letter to the Editor, Citizens and County Commissioners
This letter is written in regard to the article titled Aerial Spraying resumes featured in the September 24th issue of the Walton Sun.
The article starts by stating, ? if you notice a low-flying DC-3 airplane in South Walton, do not fear.? The short article continues about why the airplane is spraying (dog flies) but does not mention what the airplane is spraying. This is an interesting oversight.
Upon researching and contacting the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Bureau of Entomology and Pest Control it was and is determined that the airplane is spraying DIBROM NALED.
The agency provides a twelve page document pertaining to this Pesticide to anyone who cares to ask. We asked, and after reviewing it, we all must be in FEAR.
The opening paragraph titled PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS lists HAZARDS TO HUMANS AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DANGER. It reads as follows: ? Causes irreversible eye and skin damage. May be fatal if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. May cause allergic skin reaction. Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. Do not breath spray vapor or spray mist.? Further down the document it states, ? atropine sulfate is antidotal?. Isn?t atropine sulfate the product the United States Department of Homeland Security advises our citizens to keep handy and use if we come under nuclear and or chemical/biological attack from terrorists?
Environmental Hazards are also spelled out on the first page of this long document. It includes, ? this pesticide is toxic to fish, aquatic invertebrates, and wildlife.
Potential health effects of exposure to DIBROM NALED include, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, excessive sweating, salivation and tearing, constricted pupils, blurred vision, tightness in chest, weakness, muscle twitching and confusion. In extreme cases, unconsciousness, convulsions, severe respiratory depression and death may occur.
According to the article that appeared in the Sun, Dog flies can be a terrible nuisance but they do not transmit any human diseases. I find it alarming that this extremely harmful agent is being used and openly sprayed on our citizens including you and me, to rid our area of dog flies that pose no risk to humans.
Should we fear the plane?
For The Health Of ItFor The Health Of ItBeach Fanatic364 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
For The Health Of ItBeach Fanatic364 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic5,907 views
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OhioBeachBumOhioBeachBumBeach FanaticMidWest OH814 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
OhioBeachBumBeach FanaticMidWest OH814 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticNope, not kidding. The Secret Service and FBI were alerted, and the girl was arrested as a "terrorist," which gives the govt the ability to break the US Constitution and hold the girl indefinitely without a trial or charge. :bang: Not that I think they will do it, but they can, although it is illegal according to the Constitution.... and seize all of the assets of the parents - complicit by implication in harboring the "terrorist"... :shock:
mothernaturemothernatureBeach Comber15 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
mothernatureBeach Comber15 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach ComberI've checked on the sprays--permethrin for mosquitos, dibrom naled for flies.
Permethrin was first marketed in '77 for use on cotton. In Oct. '82, the EPA allowed P. registrations to include use on livestock, poultry, eggs, veggies and fruit, a 500% expansion for the market. EPA staff pathologist, M. Adrian Gross, argued that P. presents an intolerable statistical risk for causing cancer." The EPA's official stance was that P. was not a carcinogen. Dr. Gross dissented and wrote "I should think that the risks of cancer of this order for a relatively new insecticide are unacceptable to any rational person." --- It is a synthetic pyrethroid and kills insects by strongly exciting their nervous systems like DDT. It's a suspected endocrine disruptor, immunotoxin, neurotoxin. 1989 classified as possible human carcinogen.
Dibrom Naled affects cholinesterase--check this one out. TOXIC to fish, aquatic invertebrates and high to very high toxicity to birds; highly toxic to bees. An organophosphate and suspect mutagen.
Homicide, suicide, genocide, pesticide. They all kill.
Permethrin was first marketed in '77 for use on cotton. In Oct. '82, the EPA allowed P. registrations to include use on livestock, poultry, eggs, veggies and fruit, a 500% expansion for the market. EPA staff pathologist, M. Adrian Gross, argued that P. presents an intolerable statistical risk for causing cancer." The EPA's official stance was that P. was not a carcinogen. Dr. Gross dissented and wrote "I should think that the risks of cancer of this order for a relatively new insecticide are unacceptable to any rational person." --- It is a synthetic pyrethroid and kills insects by strongly exciting their nervous systems like DDT. It's a suspected endocrine disruptor, immunotoxin, neurotoxin. 1989 classified as possible human carcinogen.
Dibrom Naled affects cholinesterase--check this one out. TOXIC to fish, aquatic invertebrates and high to very high toxicity to birds; highly toxic to bees. An organophosphate and suspect mutagen.
Homicide, suicide, genocide, pesticide. They all kill.
hutchhutchBeach LoverOn the Bay Walton County, Lake Burton189 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
hutchBeach LoverOn the Bay Walton County, Lake Burton189 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach LoverAgent Orange Again? If I were the pilot I would fly over the government offices. Someone told be there are a lot of bugs there these days. Top Secret reports are going to the press faster than a speeding bullet. Time to call Starsky. Are you out there?
the hutch
the hutch
mothernaturemothernatureBeach Comber15 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
mothernatureBeach Comber15 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach ComberIt takes just one drop of pure nicotinic acid to kill a full grown man. The pesticides may be diluted, but cumulative exposures add up to cumulative poison. At what point is it too much? Cancer? Still births? Parkinson's?
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertIt takes just one drop of pure nicotinic acid to kill a full grown man. The pesticides may be diluted, but cumulative exposures add up to cumulative poison. At what point is it too much? Cancer? Still births? Parkinson's?Can I have the higher ups arrested for attempted murder? Maybe I can throw a lawsuit at the bastards for giving me any future cancer.:idontno:
RichardRichardBeach Comber30 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
RichardBeach Comber30 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach ComberThe person that oversees the dog fly spraying program in Walton County is Steve Sickerman in Panama City. He can be reached at 850-872-4250. Whether or not he sprays on any given day depends on a variety of factors including how much wind we are experiencing. But the big trigger is someone from Walton County Mosquito Control office does landing rate counts to determine if the number of dog flies in a given area are sufficient to warrant spraying. If the numbers are sufficient the Walton County Mosquito Control office calls Sickerman and asks that he spray.
There are strict guidelines, which should be followed, to determine the landing rate count. During the week of 10/17 to 10/21, when they were spraying everyday I asked to tag along and see just how the landing rates were being conducted. As you can probably guess rather than following protocol the officer was kicking bushes, searching around trashcans and generally working to try and find dog flies. Not just checking to see how many would land on him. I had not seen any dog flies in weeks but they were spraying everyday.
Sickerman says he would be happy to not spray but it is not up to him, but up to Walton County Mosquito Control. They can be reached at (850) 267-2112. He says the flies are blown in from dairy cow farms in the north. He also said the state would not allow spraying over state parks or over "Outstanding Florida Waters", like Lake Powell. He said he would contact Walton County about using correct protocol. He also said the season for this year is about over.
There are strict guidelines, which should be followed, to determine the landing rate count. During the week of 10/17 to 10/21, when they were spraying everyday I asked to tag along and see just how the landing rates were being conducted. As you can probably guess rather than following protocol the officer was kicking bushes, searching around trashcans and generally working to try and find dog flies. Not just checking to see how many would land on him. I had not seen any dog flies in weeks but they were spraying everyday.
Sickerman says he would be happy to not spray but it is not up to him, but up to Walton County Mosquito Control. They can be reached at (850) 267-2112. He says the flies are blown in from dairy cow farms in the north. He also said the state would not allow spraying over state parks or over "Outstanding Florida Waters", like Lake Powell. He said he would contact Walton County about using correct protocol. He also said the season for this year is about over.
mothernaturemothernatureBeach Comber15 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
mothernatureBeach Comber15 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach ComberWe need to rouse the communty by education-- :clap_1:
If they aren't aware, then there's no concern.
The powers that be need to know we citizens are being poisoned against our will :pissed: and that it is a human rights issue. How about using safer alternatives like other areas of the country? There's an abundance of info available on the net. Let me know if you're interested in websites and/or organizations.
If they aren't aware, then there's no concern.
The powers that be need to know we citizens are being poisoned against our will :pissed: and that it is a human rights issue. How about using safer alternatives like other areas of the country? There's an abundance of info available on the net. Let me know if you're interested in websites and/or organizations.
Miss KittyMiss KittyMeow47,011 postsJoined View profileMessageMeow
Miss KittyMeow47,011 postsJoined View profileMessageMeow"It's not nice to fool Mother Nature" I will call that number today...my husband, friend, puppy and self all experienced this invasion. I'd say go spray up North where the flies originate, BUT those citizens, farmlife and wildlife DO NOT deserve it anymore than we do at the bottom of the county! BTW...DO they spray this poison in the northern part of Walton County?
DBOldfordDBOldfordBeach FanaticNapa Valley, CA990 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
I have already written to the Bureau Chief and to Commissioner Cindy Meadows requesting that the aerial spraying of insecticides be stopped. This is the most effective way to influence this practice. It's very noteworthing that the State Parks won't allow it in their jurisdictional areas.
We have also noted the extremely low-flying aircraft over our house and the fact that there would be no chance of an aircraft recovery should that plane or its piliot experience problems. FYI, the most dangerous occupation on record is piloting an aerial cropduster. But back to the question of insecticides, it makes no sense at all to lock up all your cupboards in the house, only to have your children and everyone else in the family hosed from above while outside. We don't have enough money to save Oyster Lake, but we can finance the poisoning of other ecosystems via aerial spraying? Some perspective, please.
We have also noted the extremely low-flying aircraft over our house and the fact that there would be no chance of an aircraft recovery should that plane or its piliot experience problems. FYI, the most dangerous occupation on record is piloting an aerial cropduster. But back to the question of insecticides, it makes no sense at all to lock up all your cupboards in the house, only to have your children and everyone else in the family hosed from above while outside. We don't have enough money to save Oyster Lake, but we can finance the poisoning of other ecosystems via aerial spraying? Some perspective, please.
RitaRitamargarita brocoliaDune Allen Beach5,207 postsJoined View profileMessagemargarita brocolia
Ritamargarita brocoliaDune Allen Beach5,207 postsJoined View profileMessagemargarita brocolia........it makes no sense at all to lock up all your cupboards in the house, only to have your children and everyone else in the family hosed from above while outside. We don't have enough money to save Oyster Lake, but we can finance the poisoning of other ecosystems via aerial spraying? Some perspective, please.
Powerful points. I must also make my position known. Hadn't done that yet.
mothernaturemothernatureBeach Comber15 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
mothernatureBeach Comber15 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach ComberGas the dog because he has fleas.... some concept! :shock:
There's no question we need to keep pests under control, but let's not do it at the expense of human life and wildlife. There are safer alternatives to protect people and the ecosystems.
Children especially are at greater risk since they eat more frequently (pesticides sprayed on foods), breathe more (respiration rate higher than adults) and are closer to the ground (fingers in mouth and rolling in the yard to play).
www.pesticide.org/PUR.html
www.nrdc.org/health/kids/ocar/chap5.asp
Cancer is close behind accidental deaths as a killer of our children. http://www.getipm.com/our-loved-ones/memorium.htm
We must stop its sources and this is one good place to start! :boxing:
There's no question we need to keep pests under control, but let's not do it at the expense of human life and wildlife. There are safer alternatives to protect people and the ecosystems.
Children especially are at greater risk since they eat more frequently (pesticides sprayed on foods), breathe more (respiration rate higher than adults) and are closer to the ground (fingers in mouth and rolling in the yard to play).
www.pesticide.org/PUR.html
www.nrdc.org/health/kids/ocar/chap5.asp
Cancer is close behind accidental deaths as a killer of our children. http://www.getipm.com/our-loved-ones/memorium.htm
We must stop its sources and this is one good place to start! :boxing:
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertJust wait until all of the retirees, with weak immune systems move to the Emerald Coast. They will be as vulnerable as the kids. Maybe we can inform the snowbirds of the poison planes and get them to raise a little hell too. They have plenty of time on their hands.
I guess if we were vegetarians, we would not have the cows in north Walton to draw the flies, eh?
I guess if we were vegetarians, we would not have the cows in north Walton to draw the flies, eh?
For The Health Of ItFor The Health Of ItBeach Fanatic364 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticAuthor
For The Health Of ItBeach Fanatic364 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticAuthorThere is a petition titled ASAP (against spraying aerial pesticides) located at For The Health Of It, Natural Food Store located in Blue Mountain Beach. The petition has many options for alternatives to the harmful agents that the County/State are currently using to gas us.
Please stop by and sign the petition and/or request a petition and package for you to display and help get signitures.
Also talk with Susanne at the store to become active on a new formed board addressing this issue
Please stop by and sign the petition and/or request a petition and package for you to display and help get signitures.
Also talk with Susanne at the store to become active on a new formed board addressing this issue
Miss KittyMiss KittyMeow47,011 postsJoined View profileMessageMeow
Miss KittyMeow47,011 postsJoined View profileMessageMeowThere is a petition titled ASAP (against spraying aerial pesticides) located at For The Health Of It, Natural Food Store located in Blue Mountain Beach. The petition has many options for alternatives to the harmful agents that the County/State are currently using to gas us.
Please stop by and sign the petition and/or request a petition and package for you to display and help get signitures.
Also talk with Susanne at the store to become active on a new formed board addressing this issue
Darn, just missed being there to sign this....is there another way for us not in the area , but who like me were sprayed or just loathe this pratice to sign?
For The Health Of ItFor The Health Of ItBeach Fanatic364 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticAuthor
For The Health Of ItBeach Fanatic364 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticAuthorDarn, just missed being there to sign this....is there another way for us not in the area , but who like me were sprayed or just loathe this pratice to sign?
Please call For The Health Of It at 850.267.0558 and request your name be added to the petition. They will be happy to do so.
SallySallyBeach Fanatic654 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
SallyBeach Fanatic654 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticStop the use of dibrom naled
by Deborah Wheeler
Dibrom naled is being sprayed as part of Walton County?s Dog Fly Control program.
My colleague, Rachel Kyler, wrote an article about dibrom naled last month. Some key points she made stand repeating.
?Since 1972, Florida has funded the Dog Fly Control program through the Department of Agricultural and Consumer services. DC-3s dispense the insecticide from an altitude of about 150 feet along the beaches.
?Dibrom naled is an organophosphate, highly toxic class of pesticides that affect the central nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It is highly corrosive. Symptoms can include, numbness, tingling sensations, headache, dizziness, tremors or death. In addition, the pesticide?s label warns about the toxicity for fish, birds and other wildlife. Yet, the product is sprayed relatively close to the beach and water.
?We inhale and absorb it through our skin.?
Dibrom naled was invented for biological warfare. It remains in pool water for 48 hours, it is toxic to animals and humans, and in a high enough dosage, it can kill you.
Dog flies are pesky things, I know. However, they carry no disease, are only around for a couple of months, and it?s easy enough to stay away from the places they congregate when they are out.
However, in a high enough dosage, dibrom naled can kill you or at least make you sick.
My artist friends tell me that Gulf Place Amphitheatre was sprayed for dog flies right before the Flutterby festival opened last month. However, the spraying didn?t stop the dog flies ? they were everywhere. What it did stop was the butterflies. A lot of dead butterflies were found there and at the beach.
Have you noticed fewer birds lately? This could be why.
Now, South Walton Mosquito District wants to install a helipad at its location on County Road 393N so it can spray this deadly chemical faster.
Perhaps we should look into alternatives to spraying.
To learn more about dibrom naled, check it out on the Web, particularly at http://www.chemtox.com/brevard/main.htm.
If, after reviewing all the information about this chemical, you are as concerned as I am, please voice your concerns to South Walton Mosquito District at (850) 267-2112 and/or the Department of Agriculture in Panama City. The Environmental Manager there is Steven Sickerman. Write him at 3920 Frankford Ave., Panama City, FL 32405 or call (850) 872-4250. Our health may very well depend on it.
by Deborah Wheeler
Dibrom naled is being sprayed as part of Walton County?s Dog Fly Control program.
My colleague, Rachel Kyler, wrote an article about dibrom naled last month. Some key points she made stand repeating.
?Since 1972, Florida has funded the Dog Fly Control program through the Department of Agricultural and Consumer services. DC-3s dispense the insecticide from an altitude of about 150 feet along the beaches.
?Dibrom naled is an organophosphate, highly toxic class of pesticides that affect the central nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It is highly corrosive. Symptoms can include, numbness, tingling sensations, headache, dizziness, tremors or death. In addition, the pesticide?s label warns about the toxicity for fish, birds and other wildlife. Yet, the product is sprayed relatively close to the beach and water.
?We inhale and absorb it through our skin.?
Dibrom naled was invented for biological warfare. It remains in pool water for 48 hours, it is toxic to animals and humans, and in a high enough dosage, it can kill you.
Dog flies are pesky things, I know. However, they carry no disease, are only around for a couple of months, and it?s easy enough to stay away from the places they congregate when they are out.
However, in a high enough dosage, dibrom naled can kill you or at least make you sick.
My artist friends tell me that Gulf Place Amphitheatre was sprayed for dog flies right before the Flutterby festival opened last month. However, the spraying didn?t stop the dog flies ? they were everywhere. What it did stop was the butterflies. A lot of dead butterflies were found there and at the beach.
Have you noticed fewer birds lately? This could be why.
Now, South Walton Mosquito District wants to install a helipad at its location on County Road 393N so it can spray this deadly chemical faster.
Perhaps we should look into alternatives to spraying.
To learn more about dibrom naled, check it out on the Web, particularly at http://www.chemtox.com/brevard/main.htm.
If, after reviewing all the information about this chemical, you are as concerned as I am, please voice your concerns to South Walton Mosquito District at (850) 267-2112 and/or the Department of Agriculture in Panama City. The Environmental Manager there is Steven Sickerman. Write him at 3920 Frankford Ave., Panama City, FL 32405 or call (850) 872-4250. Our health may very well depend on it.
Edited
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertAs of today, I have decided that I am going to call the So Wal Mosquito Control office twice a day and btich and moan. I urge you guys to do the same.
850-267-2112. I think they should have full voice mail boxes every morning. Please help me to irritate them as much as they are irritating us with the poison.
Anyone willing to help???
850-267-2112. I think they should have full voice mail boxes every morning. Please help me to irritate them as much as they are irritating us with the poison.
Anyone willing to help???
aquaticbiologyaquaticbiologyfishlipsredneck heaven799 postsJoined View profileMessagefishlips
aquaticbiologyfishlipsredneck heaven799 postsJoined View profileMessagefishlipsBeen there done that. It's not them, they are just folk doing the job they are hired to do - follow the money up the ladder to the OH NO - ITS WALTON COUNTY GOVERNMENT! Supposedly following the requests of the tourism groups who begged them to do something about the bugs...
mothernaturemothernatureBeach Comber15 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
mothernatureBeach Comber15 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach ComberTourism? Making money from the tourist trade? :idea: How about the appealing concept of a county where the health and welfare of its residents and visitors are the # 1 priority...... imagine brochures and tourist advertisements touting --
"Come to South Walton, where pristine beaches welcome you. Relax in confidence and rejuvenate knowing we care about the environment. We have integrated pest management protocols which have minimized and eliminated the risks of toxic pesticides. South Walton, cleaner, safer, greener."
If California, Colorado, New York and other states have seen the need to protect their citizens from exposure to potential and real carcinogens, why can't Floridians do the same? We're all in this together..... let's address the situation asap and look at all the viable options. It's a win, win proposal. :razz: :clap_1:
"Come to South Walton, where pristine beaches welcome you. Relax in confidence and rejuvenate knowing we care about the environment. We have integrated pest management protocols which have minimized and eliminated the risks of toxic pesticides. South Walton, cleaner, safer, greener."
If California, Colorado, New York and other states have seen the need to protect their citizens from exposure to potential and real carcinogens, why can't Floridians do the same? We're all in this together..... let's address the situation asap and look at all the viable options. It's a win, win proposal. :razz: :clap_1:
Edited
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