HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0489.259 2018-2020 ,COUNTYC ,
CNN' TY OF HAWAII.
From: Allan Reaves
To: Council Testimony .(
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Subject: Please pass Bill 101-Stop spraying toxic chemicals. 1011
•} OCT 15 MI 8 0 7
Date: Thursday,October 10,2019 7:53:31 AM
To Whom it May Concern-
I live in lower Puna,and I am adamantly opposed to the use of herbicides and pesticides on our aina. I see more and
more people getting cancer and this is undoubtedly a huge risk factor. Please pass Bill 101 and stop the county from
using Roundup on our roads.
"Children have unique susceptibilities to the potential toxicity of herbicides,yet they are still being exposed every
day when they go to county parks or walk or ride along the roads. •
"Evidence demonstrates associations between early life exposure to pesticides and pediatric cancers,decreased
cognitive function,and behavioral problems,"according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
"According to a factsheet from NCAP(Northwest Coalition from Alternatives to Pesticides),acute symptoms of
exposure to glyphosate include eye irritation,burning eyes,blurred vision,skin rashes,burning or itchy skin,nausea,
sore throat,asthma and difficulty breathing,headache,lethargy,nose bleeds,and dizziness.
"Long-term exposure is linked with increased risks of cancer including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,miscarriages,
attention deficit disorder and reduced production of sex hormones.A newly published study in Frontiers in Genetics
shows that a very low concentration of glyphosate(in the parts per trillion range and thus environmentally relevant
for everyone)can trigger aggressive breast cancer when combined with other risk factors.
"What does glyphosate do to our fragile environment?Studies indicate that it can contaminate streams,which empty
into our oceans,and affect sea life including fish and coral.Problems with drift of glyphosate herbicides occur
frequently.
What are those opposed to the bill fear?
The cost."The notion that the county cannot afford alternatives to Roundup has proven false time and again,"said
Greener Hawaii volunteer Diane Koerner."Efforts to`green'Hawaii's parks and roadsides began in the 1990's with
five trial oceanfront parks in Hilo and 20 miles of roads.They weremanually maintained,which required some
volunteer help in the beginning,but cost less in the long run. George Yoshida,then Director of Parks&Recreation,
said,"Maintaining the parks without herbicides takes more manpower,but herbicide-free parks have proved to be
affordable,especially considering the money saved on purchasing and applying herbicides."
Thank you,
Allan Reaves
Pahoa,HI
757-528-2488
Comm. No. 416111-54
Ref. To: P/Qtit MAO
Ref. Date OCT 1 5 2019