Impact of Methyl Bromide

Regarding the response to “Risks of Pesticide Debated” from James F. Glass (Sept. 1, Letters to the Valley Edition): His confident assertion that “methyl bromide is a boon to humanity” reeks of chemical industry propaganda and seems to be based on a market-oriented state of humanity. Pesticides in general are a boon to agribusinesses while causing havoc in the ecosystem, from which humanity is apparently displaced, according to Glass. Science is just beginning to understand the effects on many species (including ours) as these chemicals invade the hormone systems of animals.

Glass also claims that the poor suffer without these inorganic chemicals. It is the poor who suffer as they work in these pesticide-saturated fields all over the world. Additionally, since pesticide use decreases the amount of human labor needed, a reduction in pesticide would increase labor demand, helping the poor. Really now, helping the poor is not achieved by poisoning the world.

He also states that “the bottom line is that our society needs pesticides to promote health and well-being.” Is the pervasiveness of DDT in the tissues of all living animals two decades after its disuse promoting our well-being? Will pesticides mimicking my sex hormones make me healthier?

The truth is that it is the “bottom line” that needs pesticides for its well-being. Economic growth equals environmental destruction.

NICHOLAS

HARTMAN GIARRA

Studio City