Spartina
Spartina Project Spraying Schedule (html)
Monday and Tuesday, July 17 and 18, 2006, the San Francisco Estuary Invasive Spartina Project, in conjunction with officials from local agencies such as the East Bay Regional Park District,flew a helicopter 10 to 15 feet over miles of shoreline in San Leandro, Hayward and Oakland and spray the herbicide Imazapyr in an effort to control the spread of spartina (cordweed).
Also, part of the Spartina pesticides program: Glyphosaate products. Monsanto's Roundup is one example of a typical Glyphosate-based product.
Roundup
July 17 2006 Letter from EBPA Chronics Effects Researcher to San Leandro, Oakland, Hayward and San Francico Officials
With little public notice, today and tomorrow 9 miles of East Bay shoreline is to be sprayed by helicopter bombardment with Imazapyr, an herbicide pesticide. We're told it's safe. Get the facts. Go to www.eastbaypesticidealert.org. Under Oakland's herbiciding hills plan click on Imazapyr. 48 studies cited, 18 EPA; 1 Forestry Service; myriad chemical industry Toxicological facts: expect eye and skin irritation. Animal studies showed stomach ulcers and intestinal lesions. Chronic toxicity? Oh, yes. Animal studies highlighted fluid accumulation in the lungs; congestion of the brain; abnormal blood formation in the spleen; blood pooling in the liver; increase in thyroid cysts. Not yet called carcinogenic by EPA, "carcinogenic concerns" include: increase in brain and thyroid tumors and cancers in rats.
EPA says "....terrestrial and aquatic plant species... in jeopardy... use of Arsenal (Imazapyr product)." A related herbicide has high chronic toxicity to fish at concentrations less than 1ppm. EPA notes its half-life is 17 months. When it enters drinking water sources, ozone degrades only half. Drift and resistance, like antibiotic resistance, is common with pesticides. Cross resistance is seen with Imazapyr.
A neurotoxic breakdown product causes nerve lesions and symptoms similar to Huntington's disease.
People needed jobs: manual removal is a safe answer.
Maxina Ventura
Chronic Effects Researcher
East Bay Pesticide Alert