Illegal pesticide use harms hunters, too.
A news story reports that four hunting dogs were killed by malicious use of a potent pesticide, yet, the article may have downplayed the serious nature of pesticide poisonings by not emphasizing how the hunting party was affected.
A news story in the Sumter, S.C., Item explains how a hunting party encountered what was assumedly bait laced with the insecticide aldicarb. Not only did four dogs die, but 13 people were also taken to the hospital for treatment and decontamination. Most concerning is an 11-year-old boy who was hospitalized after developing symptoms of poisoning.
Reporter Randy Burns diligently interviewed several authorities involved in the ensuing legal investigation. Many details are missing from the story – in part, because of the ongoing investigation – but the tone of the story communicates that this was a serious event.
The article would have benefited from an emphasis on the harm that the people exposed to the pesticide suffered. Also missing was a discussion of the worst that could have occurred to those exposed: coma, fluid in the lungs, muscle twitching and death.
Aldicarb is an insecticide that affects the nervous system. It is so strong that people have been poisoned just from eating treated watermelon or cucumber. One such incident sickened more than 2,000 people in the United States, and it is considered one of North America's worst pesticide food poisoning cases. Aldicarb's use is restricted to a handful of crops and foods, including cotton, potatoes, beans and citrus. Last summer, the pesticide's manufacturer – Bayer CropScience– agreed to stop making aldicarb and will phase out all uses by 2015.
Because of its potency, only trained and certified pesticide applicators can use aldicarb. Yet, one of those trained and certified persons apparently thought it was acceptable to play a role in putting the pesticide out in order to kill vermin. The story makes it clear that if identified, the responsible party will face legal repercussions.
Unfortunately, a review of the clinical toxicology literature suggests that malicious use of pesticides in this manner is not rare. An emphasis on the harm suffered by those exposed in this incident might have further cemented in the minds of those considering similar actions that unintended, serious problems can sometimes occur when pesticides are misused.
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Based on a work at www.environmentalhealthnews.org.
