Comments by Samuel S. Epstein, M.D.

Synthetic pesticides are the single largest class of toxic chemicals to which the total population worldwide is exposed. While their predominant use is in large-scale industrialized agriculture, other major applications include urban spraying, uses in offices, schools, golf courses, and the home lawn and garden.

Such uses result in pervasive environmental contamination of air, water, and food, high-level exposure of agricultural workers, and direct domestic exposures.

There is overwhelming scientific documentation on the adverse public health impact of such exposures. These include carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and endocrine disruptive or hormonal effects. Yet the public remains largely uninformed of these largely unregulated toxic exposures, tantamount to chemical warfare. This reckless, if not criminal, conduct of the pesticide industry is trivialized by its PR assurances of safety, besides by those of industry scientists, and indentured academics. These assurances are coupled with the insistence that large scale uses of synthetic pesticides is essential to maintain food production, and avoid insect-induced disease.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Over recent decades, non-pesticide and non-toxic methods of pest control, known as integrated pest management (IPM), have been developed and are now in increasing use. However, such information has not yet reached the general public. Recognizing this critical information gap, Stephen Tvedten has compiled a booklet, "The Bug Stops Here." This provides reader friendly, practical information on IPM, and how it can be readily used for any and every form of insect control, at both the domestic and community level. This information includes a comprehensive description of all major classes of insects and pests, including lice, birds and even rattlesnakes. It is available for free at: http://www.thebestcontrol.com . 

Tvedten has unparalleled practical experience in IPM methods of pest control, in which he is the leading international expert.

"The Bug Stops Here," is a unique and invaluable contribution which should be in the hands of every concerned citizen, homeowner and parent. Tvedten has made an invaluable contribution to public health.

Samuel S. Epstein, M.D.
Professor emeritus Environmental & Occupational Medicine
University of Illinois at Chicago 
School of Public Health,
Chairman, Cancer Prevention Coalition

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