> I needed to do something about how my cat had a really bad flea
> problem, so my mom bought some flea & tick spray at the grocery
> store. The bottle said it was deoderizing and created a smooth glossy
> coat on the cats hair like shampoo. The bottle wasn't labeled poison,
> but it said it killed ticks and fleas. I forgot about persistent
> organic pollutants & pesticides when I used it yesterday to give my
> animal a few quick sprays. The cat would run away from me when I
> sprayed him so I gave up after using it. Then today I checked the
> bottle out again, because it seemed to work so well on my cat. His
> fur was very nice, and he seemed very happy and playful, at least last
> night. Today I can't even find him. And yesterday I got so sick
> after using the spray I was having cramps, chest pains, and all sorts
> of problems. The bottle didn't say to use any protection. In fact I
> didn't realize it was POISON, until I pealed the sticker off the back
> of the bottle, where their was a hidden warning for veteranarians
> saying it could KILL YOU!. Still it recommended that you spray your
> cat up to 30 times, and rub it in really good with your bare hands
> into his skin. I got sick again today just holding to bottle. There
> was another warning on the bottle about persistent organic pollutants,
> saying that you should never flush them down the drain, or dispose of
> them anywhere. The only legal way to dispose of the product is to use
> ALL OF IT ON YOUR CAT!
>
> Waste water treatment doesn't have good ways of handling many kinds of
> poisoness chemicals in the system, and pestides and other hormone
> disrupting pollutants run through our system constantly. They persist
> in the food supply, as animals eat food that was sprayed with
> pesticides, and there are even higher concentrations of the pesticides
> in meat, etc. This is causing a global problem, where children are
> coming out, retarted, autistic, deformed, and still-born. Adults even
> get sick, obese, and crazy from them in their system if they weren't
> exposed as children. The only good ways to get rid of them is to give
> blood, or exercise because they get stored in our fatty tissue. This
> is a real problem, because terrorists can just legally buy pesticides
> without prescriptions and dump them into the environment our poor them
> down the drain into our drinking water. So instead of trying to bust
> queers in bathrooms, maybe you should look for the muslim with a
> bottle of Agent Orange in the bathroom. In Vietnam we sprayed the
> whole jungle with it, to deforest the area, and killed millions of
> people. We still use the chemical to treat our lawns, and people can
> just poor the shit down the drain. I'm going to go vomit now, but you
> can read this little introductory article from, Ohio State. I can't
> imagine how sick my cat is feeling right now.
>
>
> -
> PESTICIDE SAFETY
>
> When using pesticides, safety is critical. Always read and follow
> pesticide label directions exactly. The label is a legal document.
> Using pesticides in ways other than listed on the label may result in
> legal action.
>
> Look specifically for the following:
>
> plants that may be treated;
> application rates and timing;
> application methods;
> toxicity level: warning, caution, danger;
> precautions to take when applying;
> danger to other animals or nearby vegetation;
> environmental concerns;
> timing relative to harvest;
> instructions to physicians when poisoning occurs;
> disposal and cleaning of clothing used during application;
> disposal and storage of all pesticide chemicals.
> Wear protective clothing when applying pesticides. This includes long-
> sleeve shirt, long pants, shoes, socks, rubber or neoprene gloves,
> protective eye gear and a respirator or dust mask when necessary.
>
> Clothing exposed to pesticides should be washed in detergent and hot
> water. Wash protective clothing separately from other laundry. After
> doing a load of protective clothing, run the machine through a
> complete cycle with soap to rinse out the machine.
>
> Spilled pesticides can be absorbed with kitty litter. If you are
> exposed to pesticides during mixing or application, wash immediately
> and follow label instructions. Pesticides contacting the eyes, nose or
> ears should be rinsed with water. To avoid exposure to pesticides,
> apply when there is no wind that will cause pesticide DRIFT.
>
> Use the correct applicator. The label will provide specific
> instructions. These applicators include compressed-air sprayers,
> trombone sprayers, hose-end sprayers and hand dusters. You must have
> separate sprayer equipment for herbicides and insecticides. Herbicide
> residues in a sprayer used to apply insecticides or fungicides may
> damage plants.
>
> Mix only enough of a pesticide to complete the job. Mixing exposes the
> applicator to the most concentrated form of the pesticide. Special
> care is required. Carefully measure concentrates with measuring spoons
> or cups reserved and labeled for that use only. No chemicals should be
> mixed together unless the label says they are specifically
> compatible.
>
> If more pesticide is mixed than is needed, it should be applied to
> plants that are on the label. Never pour a pesticide down the drain or
> storm sewer. Rinse the sprayer with fresh water, applying the rinse
> water to plants that are listed on the label. A second and third rinse
> are recommended.
>
> Keep records of pesticide applications for reference should problems
> arise. This also helps you remember the date of application for the
> days before harvest in edible crops.
>
> Pesticides should be stored in their original containers in a locked
> cabinet. The storage location should not be exposed to heat or cold.
> Liquid pesticides should never freeze.
>
> At this time there is no appropriate method for disposing unused
> pesticides. Therefore, purchase only the amount you will use in one
> growing season. Your community may have a collection amnesty day. Keep
> pesticides in locked storage until a legal collection is available.
> Empty containers should be wrapped in several layers of newspaper and
> put in the trash.
>
> Information on specific pesticides is also available in EXONET, FARM
> CHEMICALS HANDBOOK and Extension bulletins. Complete pesticide labels
> are too long to be included on the bottle label. Request the complete
> label from your garden center manager.
>
>
>
> PESTICIDE TOXICITY
>
> Pesticide toxicity is measured most often by LD50. This is the dose of
> a toxic substance required to kill 50%% of a test population of
> animals. It is an estimate of toxicity. LD50 is the abbreviation for
> "median lethal dose."
>
> The lower the LD50, the more toxic the substance. A high LD50 means
> that more of a substance is required to make a toxic dose. Rotenone
> has an LD50 of 132. Malathion's LD50 is 1,375, while table salt has an
> LD50 of 3,750. From this you can see that rotenone, an "organic"
> pesticide, is much more toxic than malathion or salt.
>
> LD50 only indicates the acute toxicity or immediate effect of a
> substance. Also of concern are the long-term effects, called chronic
> toxicity. This is of much greater concern to applicators handling
> chemicals on a daily basis.
>
>
>
> PESTICIDE POISONING
>
> Pesticide poisoning occurs from direct contact with the pesticide.
> This includes absorption through the skin, mouth, nose and eyes.
> Pesticides will soak into clothing and cause prolonged skin contact if
> the clothing, including leather or canvas shoes and gloves, are not
> removed immediately.
>
> Symptoms of pesticide poisoning include headache, dizziness, dilated
> eyes, sweating, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea,
> fatigue and weakness. If any of these symptoms appear, immediately
> call 911 or the poison control center.
>