SPRAY: State admits UNKNOWN chemicals will be sprayed

Marin doctor: Human Health Effects of Pesticide to Stop Moth Unknown
By Mark Prado, 05/29/2008 05:33:31 PM PDT


A new report by a Marin County doctor on a plan to use aerial spraying to combat the light brown apple moth concluded not enough information is known about the health effects of one of the pesticides being considered.

Kentfield-based osteopathic physician Dr. Ann Haiden said her research found a chemical in a pheromone product that may be sprayed, called CheckMate, could adversely affect the respiratory and endocrine systems in humans.

Some people might be genetically predisposed to health problems caused by the spray, she said.

"There is a general lack of information about the other ingredients in the spray and any characteristics that may exist when the ingredients are combined, making it difficult to make informed decisions about their safety," Haiden said in her 12-page paper. "What we do know is concerning, because of the emerging knowledge about how potential chemical toxins interface with individual human biochemistry."

Haiden said of particular concern are two ingredients: butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and 2-hydroxy-4-n-octylbenzophenone. BHT is used in animal studies to induce lung damage and cancer in areas of the respiratory system for studies. The benzophenone ingredient has not been tested, but other benzophenones have been found to be strong endocrine disrupters - which alter functions of the body.

"A portion of the population, just by chance of genetics, are more likely to have health problems after being exposed to the spray," said Haiden,
whose report was released by the group Stop the Spray.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture, which is proposing the spraying, said the science it has used indicating CheckMate is safe is valid and the results have been "vetted and peer reviewed."

That research included two examinations of reports of illness last fall in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties where CheckMate was used. Despite hundreds of claims of illness, the state found no link between the claims of sicknesses and CheckMate, state officials said.

"To date, the only impact to the environment or living things is confusion in male moths looking to mate with females," said Steve Lyle, a spokesman for the state Department of Food and Agriculture.

Lyle noted it is not known whether CheckMate will be used if spraying does occur over Marin and other Bay Area counties.

"We are studying four different products including CheckMate," he said.

Fearing potential agricultural damage, the state has announced plans to spray a pheromone from planes over parts of Southern Marin every 30 to 90 days, and for up to three years, although a date for the launch of the program has not been set.

In recent weeks judges in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties ruled against the Department of Food and Agriculture's spraying plans. The department is appealing those rulings.


Meanwhile, Mothers of Marin Against the Spray - MOMAS - and other mothers' groups around Northern California will join several Stop the Spray organizations in a march across the Golden Gate Bridge at 10 a.m. Saturday. A rally at the West End of Crissy Field will follow the march.



Contact Mark Prado via e-mail at mprado [at] marinij.com; Bay City News Service contributed to this report.