Monterey (Calif.) County Herald, November 13, 2007

SPRAYING CONCERNS

[Rachel's introduction: The safety of pesticide spraying should be demonstrated before exposing children and pregnant women, says Amy Beddoe, a professor of nursing.]

By Amy E. Beddoe

I am a professor in the school of nursing at San Jose State University. I am very concerned about the aerial spraying of the light brown apple moth in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.

One of my areas of research interest is the study of the effects of the environment on unborn fetuses. The proposed spraying seems irresponsible in light of data on the effects of a variety of chemical substances on developing humans' nervous and endocrine systems.

We should use the precautionary principle where it would be requisite for industry scientists to prove a product's safety amidst children, pregnant women and other vulnerable populations. We, the public, should not be in a position to demonstrate harmful effects of chemical products decades later through the process of being unwilling human subjects in research on chemicals.

Chemical compounds are complex, reactions and interactions occur across time, and are potentially multidimensional so they will be difficult to track.

I refer you to: http://medschool.ucsf.edu/news/features/research/20061113_EnvironRe proGiudice.aspx