GLP: As Kaua’i pesticide exposure data roll in, homes not fields found to be source of most problems

Musings: Statewide Pesticide Sampling

by Joan Conrow, Kauai Electric, February 7, 2014

The Garden Island has been quick to report allegations of pesticide-related illnesses, unfortunately it failed to include some crucial data from a recent pesticide report.

Though 293 pesticide complaints were made statewide between 2010 and 2013 — just 42 were from Kauai — “less than half are due to agricultural activities.” Yet Bill 2491/Ordinance 960 targeted only ag activities for pesticide disclosure and buffer zones.

TGI also failed to report that the atrazine study included a summary of calls to the Hawaii Poison Center:

Of the 4,800 human pesticide exposure calls, approximately 90% of the exposures occurred in a residence, 4.4% in the workplace and 1% in a school. The remaining 4% consisted of miscellaneous locations (i.e., other/unknown, public areas, health care facilities, and food service.)

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