The Indiana DNR is wanting to drop toxic, synthetic pheromones and/or pesticides over a large portion of Warsaw, Winona Lake and Kosciusko County to slow the spread of the Gypsy Moth. The proposed chemical drops will not be done to protect residents from a clear and present public health danger, but rather to protect special interests worried about eradicating the Gypsy Moth.
We do not have much time to stop this from happening. There are public meetings being put on by the DNR on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, at 3 p.m. and on Monday, Jan. 26, 2009, at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Warsaw Public Library in meeting room C. Keep in mind that the purpose of these meetings is to sell people on the program(s) that they are recommending (including dropping chemicals from planes). All of you should be at this meeting to make your voice heard. But, first, you should know the other side of the argument.
No long-term human health studies have been done on these chemicals. The toxin most likely to be used is a synthetic pheromone. It is not known what affects it will have on the hormonal and reproductive systems of men, women, expecting mothers and children. This is a known toxin. It is an eye, skin and respiratory irritant. The large majority (more than 80 percent) of the chemicals used in this concoction are confidential. According to the EPA (epa.gov), these inert ingredients may or may not be known carcinogens. There is absolutely no public health danger posed by the gypsy moth and furthermore, there have not been any reported damages caused by them in our area. The chemical pheromone does not break down easily in the human body. People who have gotten it on their skin have attracted male gypsy moths for years.
According to Dr, Ann Haiden, D.O., in an animal toxicity test, 50 percent of the animals that inhaled synthetic moth pheromones had abnormal lungs, livers or both. One animal died after dermal exposure to synthetic moth pheromones. The proposed method of delivery is to dump tiny plastic flakes covered with these toxic chemicals over our homes, schools, lakes, etc.. using airplanes. According to the manufacturer, these plastic flakes slowly release these toxins over a period of two to three months.
This is serious. We need to stop this violation of our rights. We need to protect our health and the health of our children. If the DNR gets away with spraying these chemicals now, this will only be the beginning. We will be opening the door to allow them to do this and use even more harmful chemicals in the future. Please show up at one or all of the meetings and do not be swayed by their misleading statements. Stand up and say no. Do not let them spray our area. Go to www.PoisonSpray.com to sign an online petition and to find more info on the chemicals in question.
