About Pesticide Producers

A study by the U. S. Center for Public Integrity says that from 1988 to 1995, a total of 65 bills to tighten pesticide regulations were introduced in Congress, but none were passed. The report was cited as saying that the pesticide industry, enlisting trade associations that also represent tobacco companies, breweries, farmers, supermarkets and others, had contributed $84.7 million to congressional campaigns since 1987. The center's executive director claims that repeatedly, Congress clearly has put the economic interests of the pesticide industry ahead of the safety of the American public. The report also said that between 1987 and 1998, congress introduced 151 tax breaks to save pesticide manufacturers money. UPI, June 30, 1998.

It has been reported by the Foundation for Advancements in Science and Education that the U. S. exports of pesticide chemicals totaled more than 1.2 billion pounds in 1995 and 1996. About 9.4 million pounds of pesticides never registered in the U. S. were also exported during those years. The report said that the U. S. exported at least 28 million pounds of pesticides classified as "extremely hazardous" by WHO. Pesticide and Toxic Chemical News, June 4, 1998.

The April 1999 issue of Farm Chemicals, pg. 45 noted: "In January 1998, 180 environmental groups and 8 state attorneys general petitioned EPA for full disclosure of "inert" ingredients on pesticide product (poison) labels. In response, 6 ag associations responded in opposition to both petitions. The matter is still under review by EPA." ("What they don't know won't hurt them.")

Pest Control Technology, January 2000 noted that: According to the Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI), five companies account for 60 percent of the global pesticide market. Three of the five companies - AstraZeneca, DuPont, Monsanto, Novartis and Aventis - did not even exist five years ago. Since then, Zeneca and Astra merged to form AstraZeneca; Rhone-Poulnc and Hoest became Aventis; and Ciba Geigy and Sandoz became Novartis.

The top 10 "AgChem Companies" by 1998 pesticide sales in U. S. millions:

BASF $1,945

Dow $2,132

Bayer $2,273

DuPont $3,156

Aventis $4,676

Novartis $4,152

Monsanto $4,032

AstraZeneca $2,897

American Home Products $2,194

Makhteshim-Agan $801

Source: Rural Advancement Foundation International

Environmental Health Information Service - http://ehis.niehs.nih.gov/

"Learn About Chemicals Around Your House" is an interactive web site see:

http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/kids/hometour/index.htm designed to teach children and parents about household products, including pesticides, that may contain harmful chemicals. The web site includes information about toxic substances stored in different rooms in the house and answers commonly asked questions on safe use and storage of these products. The site also contains educational games, and tells children what to do if an accident occurs.

A second resource is called "Read the Label First! Protect Your Kids," which is a brochure that provides information on preventing children from being exposed to pesticides and household cleaners by reading and following product label instructions and precautions, keeping products in their original containers and storing products out of the reach of children. This document is available online at:

http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/labeling/rtlf/kids.pdf .

"Ten Tips to Protect Children from Pesticide and Lead Poisonings Around the Home" is a brochure that provides simple steps to protect children from pesticide and lead poisonings around the home, and is available in both English and Spanish. This document is available at: http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/cb/10_tips/.

"Pesticides and Child Safety" is a fact sheet that provides current household pesticide-related poisonings/exposure statistics from the American Association of Poison Control Centers, as well as recommendations for preventing poisonings and first aid guidelines. This document is available at:

http://epa.gov/pesticides/citizens/childsaf.htm .

"Help! It's A Roach" is a roach prevention activity book for kids and parents. It teaches families what they can do to prevent and control roaches without using pesticides. An interactive web site is also available at: http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/kids/roaches/english/ .

Some of these resources are also available by calling 1-800-490-9198. More information on Poison Prevention Week is also available at the Poison Prevention Week Council's web site at: http://www.poisonprevention.org/.

Note on Resistance: When I was in the pesticide application business, I noted we usually got about a good year of "control" with every new synthetic pesticide; then we had to move on to the next toxin.