http://www.environmentmaine.org/news-releases/environmental-health/environmental-health-news http://www.environmentmaine.org/news-releases/environmental-health/environmental-health-news/new-report-finds-power-plant-mercury-emissions-low-in-maine-high-upwind-new-analysis-of-recently-released-toxics-release-inventory-mercury-emissions PORTLAND- As the Senate http://www.environmentmaine.org/news-releases/environmental-health/environmental-health-news/new-report-finds-power-plant-mercury-emissions-low-in-maine-high-upwind-new-analysis-of-recently-released-toxics-release-inventory-mercury-emissions Mon, 13 Aug 2007 10:54:18 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/newsroom/environmental-health/environmental-health-news/mainers-sick-of-catching-the-drift-citizens-launch-efforts-to-strengthen-protections-against-dangerous-pesticides Residents, community groups, and statewide health organizations released a report today detailing the dangers of pesticides used by the blueberry industry and announced the launch of an effort to reduce Mainers’ exposure to toxic pesticides. “For decades, Mainers have been exposed to cancer-causing pesticides that endanger the health of their communities, families, and waterways,” said Will Everitt, Associate Director of Toxics Action Center. “We need to reduce Mainers’ exposure to toxic pesticides and protect families and workers from these dangerous chemicals.” According to Catching the Toxic Drift, a report released by Toxics Action Center, 31% of the pesticides used in the blueberry industry are possible carcinogens, 26% cause reproductive or developmental effects, and 35% are moderately to highly toxic through acute exposure. Of particular concern are the insecticides (chemicals that kill insects) and fungicides used by the industry. Of the ten insecticides recommended for use on blueberry crops: • 33% (three) are possible carcinogens according to the EPA. • 40% (four) cause reproductive or developmental effects or are endocrine disruptors. • 60% (six) are moderately to highly toxic through acute exposures. Of the nine fungicides recommended for use on blueberry crops: • 67% (six) are possible carcinogens according to the EPA. • 44% (four) cause reproductive or developmental effects or are endocrine disruptors. • 33% (three) are moderately to highly toxic through acute exposures. The report also details pesticide drift problems caused by aerial spraying. The Maine Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) has documented that pesticides from aerial spraying of blueberries has drifted nearly a mile from its intended target. According to the report, in addition to being a threat to public health, the pesticides used by the industry also threaten Maine’s natural resources and waterways. Of the 26 active ingredients of pesticides recommended for use by the blueberry industry: • 62% (sixteen) are moderately to very highly toxic to aquatic life. • 65% (seventeen) cause chronic problems in aquatic life. “The bottom line is that pesticides are a serious threat to our waterways, our fisheries and the industries that depend on them,” said Matthew Davis, Advocate of Environment Maine. “We need stronger protections to keep these toxic chemicals out of our waterways.” “Mainers are sick of catching the drift and the health problems that it brings,” said Cindy Look, a nurse and Downeast resident. “Aerial spraying of pesticides has affected our communities for long enough. It is time for the state to catch our drift and begin to protect our communities.” These concerned groups and Maine citizens announced the kick-off of a campaign to protect Mainers and our environment from toxic pesticides. Residents are petitioning the PBC to adopt rule changes that would: 1) phase out the use of aerial spraying, 2) phase out the use of organophosphates, one of the most dangerous classes of pesticides, 3) increase citizens’ right to know about toxic pesticides in our communities, and 4) increase monitoring of toxic pesticide drift and run off. In order to initiate changes in the BPC’s rules, residents need to collect 150 signatures from registered voters in the state. The Board of Pesticides Control will then have 60 days to address the issues. “Mainers across the state are banding together to become part of the process,” said Everitt. “Those who’ve been threatened by toxic pesticides are now exercising their right to safe and healthy homes free from pesticide exposure.” http://www.environmentmaine.org/newsroom/environmental-health/environmental-health-news/mainers-sick-of-catching-the-drift-citizens-launch-efforts-to-strengthen-protections-against-dangerous-pesticides Fri, 10 Aug 2007 13:38:07 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/news-releases/environmental-health/environmental-health-news/groups-release-report-on-agri-business-and-endangered-atlantic-salmon-board-of-pesticides-control-to-hold-hearing-on-banning-aerial-spraying Bangor, ME—Environment Maine Research & Policy Center, the Maine Environmental Policy Institute (MEPI) and Toxics Action Center released a report entitled, Agribusiness and Atlantic Salmon: The Effects of Large-scale Blueberry Production on Endangered Atlantic Salmon, detailing the threats that pesticides used by the blueberry industry have on the species. “This report attempts to connect the dots between chemicals used and released by agri-businesses and threats to the endangered Atlantic salmon,” said Will Sugg, one of the authors of the report and the director of MEPI. Some of the report’s findings include: • Sedimentation from low-maintenance roads throughout fields near Downeast rivers create increased problems with sedimentation of gravel beds, which are important Atlantic salmon egg and alevin habitat; • Nutrient loading is not extensive, but there is some potential for fertilizer application to fields to cause algal blooms and decreased dissolved oxygen in nearby streams and rivers; • Pesticides used on blueberry fields have limited acute toxicity to Atlantic salmon, but indirect and chronic effects may be severe; • Hexazinone, an oft-used herbicide is likely in high enough concentrations from drift, runoff and groundwater seep to change aquatic organismal communities, decreasing fitness of fry and parr; • Malathion and azinphos-methyl (two organophosphate pesticides) may have direct, acute effects on Atlantic salmon physiology and survival, even in low concentrations; • Water withdrawal can dramatically affect Atlantic salmon and the entire aquatic ecosystem, particularly in the late summer and early fall; • Discharges from processing plants and other wastewater may have adverse effects on water temperature and dissolved oxygen in rivers, but is limited to small portions of Atlantic salmon habitat; • Sulfur applications to increase acidic soil conditions are infrequent and sporadic, yet may be of concern for all life stages of Atlantic salmon. “Clearly there is a lot of work to be done to further protect salmon from chemicals used by agri-businesses,” said Matthew Davis, one of the authors of the report and advocate with Environment Maine Research & Policy Center. The report was released prior to the Maine Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) hearing on banning aerial spraying, phasing out organophosphate use and increasing residents’ right-to-know about pesticide use in their communities. Residents across Maine collected signatures to begin this formal Board of Pesticides Control rule-change process. “Today the Board of Pesticides Control will be holding a hearing on rules that will go a long way to solving a lot of our concerns with aerial spraying and the use of the most dangerous pesticides,” said Will Everitt, Associate Director of Toxics Action Center. “Hopefully the Board will do the right thing and enact these protections.” In addition to changes through the BPC, the report calls on the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to do more to mitigate storm water runoff, fertilizer and nutrient loading, and continue its water withdraw rulemaking. http://www.environmentmaine.org/news-releases/environmental-health/environmental-health-news/groups-release-report-on-agri-business-and-endangered-atlantic-salmon-board-of-pesticides-control-to-hold-hearing-on-banning-aerial-spraying Fri, 14 Sep 2007 12:11:46 -0500