RE: Why is new pesticide adverse effects info so hard to get at?

[Paul Orum <paul_orum@yahoo.com>]

You have hit the nail on the head.  Pesticide data as you describe should be on-line.  The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is slow, cumbersome, and expensive by comparison.  Of course FOIA is necessary and valuable, but complete information should be in the first place on-line (as well as on the label).

In 1996, some 70 organizations jointly wrote to EPA about the need to honor consumers' right-to-know about toxic ingredients in pesticides. We're still waiting for meaningful action, while EPA has pursued a "Consumer Labeling Initiative" that is clearly not designed to meet the needs of consumers, reporters, farmers, etc.