1. Testing Toxins At $100 a Day.
- Author
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Kaye, J.
- Subjects
- *
HEALTH surveys , *AGRICULTURAL laborers , *PESTICIDES , *RESEARCH teams , *AGRICULTURAL chemicals - Abstract
In this article the author reports on the scientific study conducted scientists, and state agricultural officials in San Joaquin Valley in California. The research team was checking some farm workers for shortness of breath, staggering, pinpoint pupils, trembling, twitching, and walking disorders, and testing their blood and urine. The study aimed to convince the California Department of Food and Agriculture that a new dilution of the insecticide Zolone wouldn't make workers sick. Regardless of the positive results, farm worker advocates say the incident illustrates the agrochemical industry's contempt for tough new pesticide laws, and a laxity bordering on collusion on the part of state and federal agencies at a time when the issues of safety, ethics and pesticides have aroused public concern.
- Published
- 1989