HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0489.264 2018-2020 ou ''f C HAWAII-
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From: Francine Roby
To: Council Testimony .,,,cg s 1 5 8 07
Subject: Support Bill 101 Banning Pesticides in Our County Parks a i� i
Date: Monday,October 14,2019 2:43:29 PM
Aloha Hawaii County Councilmembers,
I'm writing to ask for your support of Bill 101 which would restrict the spraying of
toxic pesticides in our Hawaii County Parks and Roadways.
This is especially important for our keiki. According to a 2012 report by the
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), "Pesticide Exposure in Children,"
"Children encounter pesticides daily and have unique susceptibilities to their
potential toxicity. Acute poisoning risks are clear, and understanding of chronic
health implications from both acute and chronic exposure are emerging. Research
demonstrates associations between early life exposure to pesticides and pediatric
cancers, decreased cognitive function, and behavioral problems."
Glyphosate, in particular, has a growing body of evidence on health impacts
associated with exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides such as "Roundup,"
including endocrine disruption, organ damage, and birth defects.. In 2015, the
International Agency for Research on Cancer, a division of the World Health
Organization, and the world's leading authority on cancer, unanimously concluded
that glyphosate is "probably carcinogenic to humans." Shouldn't we be following
the most recent science?
I've seen on the news that more than 18,000 plaintiffs have filed suit against
Monsanto in the United States alleging that they developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma
due to exposure to Monsanto's glyphosate-based weed killers, such as Roundup. Of
the three cases that have been heard to date,juries have found in favor of the
plaintiffs. Internal industry documents uncovered during these trials have revealed
that Monsanto suppressed evidence of health risks of its glyphosate based
herbicides. It is reminiscent of the tobacco industry.
Many other communities have successfully transitioned away from toxic pesticides
to organic land management practices. Please protect our keiki, and our
communities and vote in support of Bill 101.
Mahalo for your focus to protect the health of our land, water, air, and people.
Francine Roby
Ahualoa HI 96727 pp,,�� LL
Aloha, Francine Comm. No. Lwl•'2)0,,T
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Ref. Date. 0 r,T 1 5 2019