WASHINGTON (AP) - Most of the nation's rivers and streams - and the fish in them - are contaminated with pesticides linked to cancer, birth defects and neurological disorders, but not at levels that can harm humans.
http://www.startribune.com/1244/story/284736.html
This generally factual article gets one big thing wrong -- "not at levels that can harm humans." No one can be sure of this, as the mixture of pesticides found in the real world has never been tested in a lab. "Not at levels that pesticide makers think can harm humans" is more accurate.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture does a good job of regulating and monitoring pesticides overall, according to a report, but improvements are needed in several areas. The legislative auditor's office presented the report Friday to a panel of legislators in St. Paul.
The study recommended that state agricultural officials should decide which new pesticides entering the market pose greater risks and need to be reviewed in detail for use in Minnesota. Pesticides are now evaluated by federal experts, but the report said that additional state review is warranted in some cases.
http://www.startribune.com/789/story/284492.html
Exactly. All states should retain authority and initiative to go beyond weak federal minimums in dealing with pesticides, especially for their impact on children and other vulnerable populations.
Posted by Dave at March 4, 2006 05:30 PM