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o o wind direction from an eradication resulted in overspray. Likewise the family chickens, pecking in the upper soil layers, could become contaminated and become unusable for meat or eggs. "Glyphosate has been shown to cause irritation to the gastro- intestinal tract and lungs, as demonstrated in "in vivo" toxicity studies as well as human poisoning incidents "(p. 78). Among the impurities and metabolites of the Glyphosate formu- lations are AMPA (Aminomethyl - phosphate), N- nitrosoglyphosate and 1,4- Dioxane. Relatively little is known about the biological activity of AMPA. Shall we use our population as guinea pigs? The other two mentioned compounds have a carcinogenic potential, but the risk is "difficult to quantify" (p.79). According to the existing guidelines, the Office of Drinking Water of the USEPA has proposed a 10 -day health advisory for glyphosate of 17.5 mg /L and a long -term health advisory of 1 mg /L. They consider this to be "Using a very conservative approach for quantitatively charac- terizing risk" (p.87). The second herbicide, 2,4, -D can be used in either of two forms: as an amine salt or an ester of 2,4, -D. The amine salts dissolve more readily in water than the isoctyl ester form. So they are of particular concern in catchment systems, especially since they are odorless. Half of the 2,4, -D is removed from the water within 50 days (Rubin 1982). 2,4,- dichlorophenol, as well as other substances, is produced during breakdown (Nesbitt and Watson, 1980, and Eder and Weber, 1980). This appears to be a very long time for breakdown of contamination in open catchment systems. for drinking water caused by accidental discharge or overspray. In soils, absorption of 2,4, -D is greatest in acidic soils (Johnson et al, 1995) or soils with large amounts of organic matter. By and large, the soils on the Big Island are both. Reproductive and TQratogenic effects (p. 110): teratology studies on 2,4, -D indicate that malformations are likely to occur only at doses that are fetotoxic (toxic to fetuses) or maternally toxic (Munro et al., 1992). Also, there is evidence that 2,4, -D may adversely affect male reproduction.(p. 110) And a few studies may suggest carcinogenic potential for 2,4, -D (p. 112), Can we afford to take the risk? Is marijuana eradication worth it? The third herbicide discussed in the SEIS is the one that the DEA leans toward the most. It is a close chemical cousin of Agent Orange. Did I see your ears perk up? And well they should. We are all old enough to remember that chemical's use during the Viet Nam War as a defoliant. After the war the US Forest Service used it for a while for weed suppression in the National Forests in Oregon. It wasn't long before there were noted a statistically significant number of major birth defects, especially spina bifida. A class action suit by afflicted parents forced the Forest Service to dis- continue use of Agent Orange and pay a handsome settlement. Never- theless, we can be sure that the parents would have preferred to have normal healthy babies. Imagine both the personal costs and the social costs to our island. Are we prepared to "chance'um "?