The EPA should reverse its approval of methyl iodide for fumigation

It's nasty.

When I was a graduate student (77-82) we decided to stop using methyl iodide because of reports about its toxicity/carcinogenicity. That was in a University lab where we thought highly of our ability to manage risky chemicals. Now imagine a person who isn't trained in handling hazardous materials using this to fumigate things in a way that allows the chemicals to escape into the air, water and land. Scary. Thanks for the feedback, Peter and Dan!

Think they're pushing through an industry agenda as quickly as possible before the current administration leaves office? The FDA also has approved cloned food for human consumption, without requiring labels.

What I can say is that under President Bush, there has been a consistent pattern of ignoring hard evidence and scientific advice to the detriment of the environment and the benefit of big business. The case described in the first link above is under investigation by both Congress and the GAO. The administration has also refused to obey Federal law, and is being sued to obey the law. Thanks for the feedback!

The USDA organic label is meant to be a safeguard for consumers who want food grown and processed without chemicals, irradiation or GMOs. However, as the organic industry has become big business, we are importing "organic" food from China. I say, support your local growers, get to know where your food is coming from and how it is being produced and processed.

Good article, James. Say, the link to the 121 workers in NV did not reveal the story. What do you know about that incident?

Good idea, Charli. I'll email the organization about the broken link on the 121 workers. From this text, taken from the main article I link to, I think we can at least guess at what happened (they probably suffered permanent central nervous system, liver, kidney and lung damage, and, if they survived the poisoning episode, have a very high probability of developing cancer):

"Methyl iodide affects the nervous system, the lungs, liver, and kidneys. Symptoms of acute poisoning from inhalation include dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, diarrhea, slurred speech, lack of coordination, and muscle convulsions. [5] Methyl iodide is six times more acutely toxic than methyl bromide, and about twice as toxic as 1,3-dichloropropene (Telone).[6] To date, neither U.S. EPA nor California's Department of Pesticide Regulation have set an acceptable level of human exposure for this chemical, but the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has set an eight to ten-hour worker (adult male) exposure limit of 10 mg/m3 based on the chemical's acute toxicity. [6] "Acceptable" exposures for children developed through risk assessment are typically 10-1,000 times lower than those for healthy adult males. EPA has listed methyl iodide as a Hazardous Air Pollutant generally known or suspected to cause serious health problems."

I is all about $ with the Bush people.

Good article, thanks James.