Some food for thought....for parents of children at Chameleons Montessori

The following was taken from http://www.chem-tox.com/brevard/main.htm
"Information compiled by
Richard W. Pressinger (M.Ed.)
Wayne Sinclair (M.D.)
email: research@chem-tox.com

Child Leukemia & Aplastic Anemia after DDVP Exposure

SOURCE: The Lancet, pg.300, August 8, 1981
Seven children with bone marrow disorders have been observed over the past 8 years by physicians at Travis Air Force Base Medical Center in California. The physicians believe the blood disorders, in all cases, were caused by organophosphate pesticides.. All blood disorders occurred shortly after exposure to the pesticides DDVP/propoxur and malathion. The duration of inhaling insecticides ranged from 2 minutes in a patient enveloped in a thick insecticide fog in a small shed to 2 days in other patients whose homes were fumigated by their parents. Six patients had aplastic anemia and one had acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The physicians also cited research showing leukemia in farmers has significantly increased during the period of 1964 to 1976 (Mayo Clinic Proc, 53:714-18, 1978). Apple growers exposed to organophosphates had a higher incidence of leukopenia (very low white blood count) than a control population (Canadian Medical Association Journal, 92:597-602, 1965).
Drs. Jerry D. Reeves, David A. Driggers, Vincent A Kiley
Department of Pediatrics, David Grant Medical Center
Travis Air Force Base, California

Pesticide Exposure Can Increase Infections in Humans

There is now enough solid evidence to state that, in fact, pesticide exposure increases the likelihood of developing bacteria and viral infections. The area of science that studies this phenomena is called "immuno-toxicology" and investigates how modern chemicals can increase viral and bacteria infections in humans and animals by weakening immune system function (i.e. lowering white blood cell count - slowing white blood cell movement - disarming the mechanisms white blood cells use to locate and destroy virus and bacteria cells - lowering production of the essential immune system regulators interferon - interleukins - and weakening or damaging antibody production). Currently, manufacturers of Brevard's mosquito control pesticides dibrom and permethrin are not required to test for any of the above health effects.

Don't Be Misled By "Safety" Claims

When chemical representatives (or public officials) state how "SAFE" any given chemical is when trying to calm the fears of the public - keep in mind one of their favorite games. First - you'll often hear reference to the word "toxic" in their explanations. This is where the average citizen is dangerously fooled. Most people erroneously judge the danger of any chemical based on the word "toxic." This occurs because the term "toxic" is loosely referred to as - the amount of a chemical needed to kill an animal or person. Chemical Industry Spokesmen conveniently forget to mention that there are hundreds of other health effects from chemicals besides their overt toxicity (death). In fact, if you think about it, death is really the last thing we're concerned about since exposure to levels much lower than those considered "toxic" are being shown to affect the immune and nervous system in many subtle ways.

Child Cancer Risks from Pesticides and Chemicals

For example, "sub-toxic" effects documented from pesticide exposure can include the biological impact mentioned previously upon the immune system which in turn can cause an increase in viral and bacterial infections - colds - flu - fever - encephalitis - autoimmune disorders (arthritis) - increased asthma incidence - and even cancer (the immune system's "Natural-Killer-Cells" are a class of immune system cells with a voracious appetite for devouring cancer cells in the body). For more information on how scientists are finding a weakened immune system results in increased child cancers - please visit our Child Cancer Site at

http://www.chem-tox.com/cancerchildren

Infertility Risks from Pesticides and Chemicals

Specific sub-toxic effects from pesticides have also been found to occur to the reproductive processes, which many scientists state is why we are seeing so many more cases of infertility today. Exposure to pesticides have been found to result not only in infertility, but have also been found to increase the risk of miscarriage as well as damaging the 65 day sperm development process within the male. For more information on the ability of pesticides and chemicals to damage the reproductive process please visit or Reproductive Toxicology site at - http://www.chem-tox.com/infertility

Neurological Disorders from Pesticides

Specific sub-toxic neurological effects identified from pesticide exposure include - memory and concentration loss - irritability - headaches - problems with balance - reaction time and even increases in depression (for details and references on these health effects please visit our pesticide toxicology site at http://www.chem-tox.com/pesticides.

Child Learning and Behavioural Effects from Pesticides

Specific sub-toxic neurological effects have also been found to occur to the developing offspring during pregnancy whose brain is growing at over 4,000 cells per second beginning in the 4th week of pregnancy. Documented effects from pesticides and other chemicals during this critical brain growth period include - hyperactivity - learning disorders - attention deficit disorder - and aggressive tendencies. Children with learning disabilities have been found to have brain cells that have migrated to the "wrong" parts of the brain (called dysplasia) as well as showing smaller brain cell size and disorganized column patterns. If you would like more information on this topic, please visit our Environmental Reproductive Toxicology site at
http://www.chem-tox.com/pregnancy/learning_disabilities.htm.

As you can see, "toxicity" is really the least of our worries."