Our letter to Chameleons Montessori explaining why Joel wouldn't be at school

Ms Emma Medell
Principal
Chameleons Montessori
Nitida Wine Farm
Tygerbergvalley Road
Durbanville Hills
7550

I've removed our home address so nutters can't find us.

written without prejudice

4 May 2010


Dear Emma


Following the recent meeting of parents, the school and the Business Steering Committee to discuss issues surrounding the spraying of chemicals around the school, Jo and I are unconvinced that the school’s present location, on a working farm, is a safe or healthy environment for our son, Joel, to be educated in.

In light of the fact that it has now been reasonably shown that the school is not protected from spray drift and that it's highly probable that agricultural chemicals do land on the premises (This was confirmed by Mr Veller in emails to TATIB as well as inferred at the meeting last Thursday) I cannot allow Joel to return to school until it is shown to be safe to do so.

The safety requirements as indicated on the various chemicals included on the list provided by the school to TATIB clearly state they are not to end up on areas "not under treatment". I must assume this is because they pose a known risk should this happen. If this indeed is happening then it follows that “acceptable safety precautions” are not being followed and the law may have been broken. This would also mean my child's health and safety may have been compromised.

I will make arrangements for him to receive home tutoring in the interim and await confirmation from the school that the immediate school environment has been proven to be free of chemical contamination.

Naturally, as the school cannot presently ensure Joel's safety you will be unable to teach him. That he is unable to be taught by yourselves is due to factors that are your responsibility so you are currently failing to meet your obligations with regard to our contract with you to teach our son. I will need to redirect his school fees to pay for tutoring in a safe environment.

I trust the school will make every effort to institute a suitable scientific analysis to prove your assertion that the school is free of agricultural chemical spray residue. I look forward to seeing the evidence.

On a more personal note both Jo and I want to express our frustration at the school lack of openness and apparent lack of concern in addressing this very serious issue. The schools failures in this regard have caused our family a great deal of emotional and practical turmoil.


sincerely,




Ford Hallam

p.s I would appreciate confirmation of receipt of this notification.

p.p.s.

Included with this letter are details of 2 published medical studies relating to Mancozeb and Folpet and a request for details of the investigation the school instigated in early 2009.

Mancozeb is shown to be a “ multipotent carcinogenic agent”

Folpet is shown to have a rapid cytotoxic effect on human bronchial epithelial cells. ie, it causes lung tissue cells to die quite quickly.