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Dear All for the Last Time:
Even though it is largely peripheral, I have
enjoyed the discussion of Roundup utility and toxicity here on the list.
One problem not mentioned is dosage and amount
used.
Water, properly applied, is necessary for crop
growth. Improperly applied it causes floods and erosion. Should we
therefore give it up?
Farmers, finding that fertilizers are effective,
have often overused them, resulting in heavy runoff and eutrofication of
lakes. Does that mean that all farmers should abandon all fertilizers?
NO
I have used Roundup selectively and carefully with
no ill effects around my garden. I'm glad to hear the price will come down
and I'll use it a bit more, but not poison the whole business. (Thanks to
Harmon for example of overuse; Thanks to Crispin for examples of necessary
use.)
So, we need to use chemicals carefully, but
not ban them. As we Humans get cleverer, we need to get wiser.
END OF DISCUSSION I
HOPE.
TOM REED
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2002 6:01
AM
Subject: Re: FYI: Roundup (and
risks)
Dear Dan
I would like you to know that of all the people who
contributed to the list in the past year that I have subscribed, your
contributions both to the group and to me privately have been some of the most
practical and useful in a developing country.
Your understanding of heat exchange and minimizing the
space required to get the heat out of a hot gas flow has been, in my
estimation, better than anyone else on the list. I have tried to extend the reach of your knowledge by sharing what
you have taught me with others.
It is my opinion that this list is not the place for a
discussion of Roundup unless it relates to air quality from burning plants
that have been treated with it in such a way that its normal rapid breakdown
has been delayed and some harmful chemicals may be formed in the combustion,
whether theoretically or actually.
I agree with your assessment of real risks and point out
that if someone roasts a little meat over some charcoal they bought locally
and it had a single branch of a Tambuti tree in it, the person eating the meat
would drop dead. That is a real risk with immediate consequences.
The chances of a person here using Roundup and 'contaminating' some biomass
while also introducing some process that prevented the Roundup from breaking
down as it normally does, and then cooking something in a semi-closed
environment and getting poisoned in a way by the smoke that affected their
health is about the same risk (or lower) than the chances of my winning the
lottery or gaining recognition for my work.
Arguments in favour of taking extreme measures to
prevent chemical contamination are frequently based on thinking that is highly
theoretical and narrow. As measurements have improved, we can find
all sorts of chemicals in the oceans and lakes in parts per trillion.
These 'risks' are probably or possibly quantifiable, but the discussion of
them all too often ignores far greater risks that occur quite naturally.
There is no "clean green meal" out there in the bundu.
Being informed of and not being forced to accept any
particular risk is, I feel, a reasonable right, so it is good to know what is
out there, however a discussion about taking real (especially expensive)
action should keep in mind the universe of risk to which people are
subjected.
The main threat to health in
Swaziland is HIV/AIDS, fusareum roseum mould on the food (aflatoxin and
zearalenone), measles and alcohol consumption. Cigarette smoking, which
is the direct cause of death of about 85% of smokers, is a real hazard and
highly preventable. Agricultural chemicals are not very high on any list
of dangers in spite of the dreadful manner in which they are handled (in my
view). Cotton is a dangerous thing to grow, as are oranges, because of
the chemicals, and sugar cane to a lesser extent.
Roundup and any possible,
theoretical effect of it on cooking fumes are pretty near the bottom of a list
of threats to the people here. Perhaps if they used it they would have
more to eat and be far healthier.
Regards
Crispin
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