Methyl Bromide Exposure Suspect

* The Pentagon’s top physician, Dr. Stephen C. Joseph, has recently stated that the cause of Gulf War illness might be a delayed reaction to low level exposure to toxins that caused no immediate symptoms. This should be of special interest to all Ventura County residents, because we are exposed to toxins from agricultural operations every day.

The most recent findings from the Environmental Working Group’s methyl bromide monitoring in East Ventura confirm that residents are getting pesticide doses that are too high, especially for children. The current accepted medical belief is that these chemicals will make you sick immediately or not at all, and any testing for health effects is now the responsibility of the manufacturer. In the case of methyl bromide, it is being used while the mandatory testing has been delayed for over a decade.

The Department of Pesticide Regulation may argue with the results of the Environmental Working Group’s conclusions to their pesticide monitoring. But, until we know how many parts per billion of methyl bromide might lower your child’s IQ, cause a brain tumor, or render him sterile, any exposure should be suspect. We have the right not to be poisoned.

DEBORAH BECHTEL

Camarillo