EPA Control by Industry

[Susan Jannarone <jannarone@aol.com>]

Among the responsibilities of the EPA, the health of Americans who are exposed to pesticides is to be weighed and measured, arriving at what is called "tolerances" based on risk-benefit analysis. Readings at ewg.org (Chemical Industry Archives)substantiate claims made by chemically injured individuals, that "faked" data has been provided to the EPA repeatedly. Americans and the American landscape are beginning to suffer enormously as a consequence of misuse of pesticides, particularly those used in neighborhoods for "cosmetic purposes" and those used in schools. Two leading industry front groups, E.S.R.I. (Environmental Sensitivities Research Institute) and R.I.S.E. (Responsible Citizens for a Sound Environment) stand  as industry's activists to keep pesticides in neighborhoods and schools. R.I.S.E. actually represents the Lawn Care Institute, for example. I urge all readers to delve into the massive data at Rachel's Weekly, named after Rachel Carson. See URL: http://www.rachel.org/bulletin/bulletin.cfm?Issue_ID=887&bulletin_ID=48. Or simply log onto rachel.org.

If the EPA acts on a single issue regarding pesticides it should be to immediately release to public newspapers and all media, that EPA registration of products does not equate with safety. This single measure might begin to change American's perception of the safety of pesticides. According to Frank Davido of the EPA, registration means simply that pesticides kill the target pest.

I believe the single most damaging effect of the EPA is that Americans believe that EPA registration equates with safety. EPA registration of product means that it is toxic, probably to more than one third of the population at any dose. Because false data was provided to the EPA, and individuals vary in their individual response to toxins, it is impossible to establish "a safe dose" of toxins. 

Americans do not learn about the significant risks of pesticides from our government, as they should. Instead the chemical industry controls the EPA from within Congress. Enormous profits motivate behavior by industry that has been injurious to many Americans. In response to the injury caused by industry, the chemical industry has begun cranking out research studies that report that such individuals are mentally ill. In the past two months approximately fifteen such spurious peer-reviewed articles have been published equating pesticide intolerance to "panic disorder" and other nonsensical issues. Rather than using new research on the human genome in positive ways, industry has attempted to use "science" against injured individuals. 

My goal in conversing with the EPA originally began when I believed that the EPA existed to serve the public. I learned that the EPA serves Industry. Should individuals believe otherwise, they have not investigated the true role of the EPA as it holds hands with industry. Few people know that the current head of the American Chemistry Council, aka CMA, worked at the EPA in a position of authority. 

We need to encourage all participants to investigate the interworkings of the EPA. Susan Jannarone, 3604 Winewood Place, Colleyville, Texas 76034