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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0314.064 1996-1998 *;OI'' FCWEFF-CL.SE FHONE NG. ~ 8088845190 Jun. 15 1997 10: 18PM F1 r' - '97 JUf 16 ri~l 7 `r1 JT ?'ower, .allJ CCU`; y.o.6nx Fi_>8z COUNTI' iu,= H:;V`JP,II k'amuela fiz t76~q~ PoB. aps i»I /te%/fax/ j powernaaloFta. net FAX COVER SHEET Date: Sunday, June 15, 1997 Time' 10 pm From: JT Power, MD Phone: 885-1711 Faculty, UH School of Public Health Fax: same To: Finance Committee Phone: Hawaii County Council Fax: 969-3291 Re: Testimony on DEA marijuana eradication program No of pages (including cover): 3 Attn: Leimemi r Yq 3 lib lfa G ltef. 4b~ ~e~Med F c Ref. vats dUN____ l 6199 [ _ . FRCh1 POWEtHCUSE PHONE N0. ~ 8©88845190 Jun. 15 1997 19~18PM P2 J.T. Power, MD r,~ . PreventiveMedicine G1 Integral Health Care , 9~ JUid 16 Y$~818~'S-4325 .,r, June 15, 1997 COUNTY Finance Committee Hawaii County Council Re: Testimon}- .-ia facsimile on continuation of DEA marijuana eradication program. Dear Finance Committee Members: I understand tour committee is considering rene~e~al of its agreement with the DEA to continue aerial spraying for the eradication of marijuana on the $ig Island. I would like to take this opportunity to address some of the public health issues at stake in this debate. It mats seem to the casual observer that this program delivers an insignificant amount of toxic material into the environment, and that such potential health concerns are not worthy of consideration. However, I would ]ike to point out some medical issues that should be taken into account before dismissing this as inconsequential. First, there is the issue of hepatic dysfunction (various liver disorders) caused by chronic low- level exposure to a wide array of xenobiotics (unnatural synthetic chemicals which pose potential danger to biological systems) in the environment. Tn general, the liver has a remarkable capacity for detoxifying and removing these chemicals from the body. However, there is a great deal of individual genetic variability in the function of these detox mechanisms. This genetic, biochemical basis for the dramatic di.-ersity of functional detoxification capacities may help explain the wide ~~ariance of individual tolerances and reactions to environmental chemicals. Studies indicate that lipid•soluble pesticides and herbicides can concentrate in the liver and other fatey- tissues, where they- persist for long periods of rime and result in altered functional capacity. Nearly 53 billion is spent yearly in the U.S. on the treatment of `liver disorders of unknown origin'. It is likely that many of those liver disorders are due, at least in part, to non-specific effects from hepatotoxins, including those induced by xenobiodc exposure. \2etabolites of certain herbicides (glyphosate, P.O. Box 6582 • Ironwood Center, Suite Z • Kamue/a, Hawaii 96743 FROM POWEPHOUSE PHONE N0. : 8088845190 Jun. 15 1997 10:19PM P3 or Rnund-Up'~ have adverse effects on the central and peripheral nervous systems, leading to a variety of behavioral and mood disorders. especially in those who are more sensitive to xenobiotics due to relatively ineffective detox mechanisms. Second, in addition to this variable sensitivity to environmental toxins in the general population, there are specific population subgroups that are inherently more vulnerable to low le~-el toxic exposures. These groups include pregnant women, children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. These subgroups are at increased risk of developing 'liver disorders of unknown origin', including hepatic cancer with continued low level exposure. Third, the issue of synergistic and multiplicative toxicities of combined xenobiotics needs to be considered. Recent studies have demonstrated, in some cases, a hundred-fold increase in toxicity with exposure to a particular combination of chemicals, as opposed to exposure to these chemicals independent)}-. This is usually the case with pesticide or herbicide use since most .tre mixtures. In some cases, the so-called `inert ingredients' are highly toxic when exposure occurs in combination with certain other chemicals. Bear in mind that DEA has used many different toxic agents in its program and has expressed interest in using other xenobiotic agents. And lastly, the cumulative burden of toxic load on the environment needs to be taken into account. As we continue to poison our island environment with broadcast and spot spraying of this `xenobiotic soup', we are crcat;ng a literal time bomb as regards public health. Little by little we add to what will someday become an unlivahle environment. Some `canaries in the coal mine.' are already suffering the ill effects of this cumulative hurden. Others of us will not be far behind. We must find more sustainable vca}'s of addressing our public policy issues. I urge }-our rejection of the continuation of the DEA's marijuana eradication program on public health grounds. There is simply too much at stake to continue on this perilous path. Itespec•, ~~/mJ ~---1~ JT P wet, b'1D