EPA Reviewing 24 Tests of Human Pesticide (BushCo Poisoning Students!)

[stickdog]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/16/AR2005061600112.html

EPA Reviewing 24 Tests of Human Pesticide

By JOHN HEILPRIN
The Associated Press
Thursday, June 16, 2005; 1:55 AM

WASHINGTON -- Data from two dozen industry tests that intentionally exposed people to poisons, including one involving a World War I-era chemical warfare agent, are being used by the Environmental Protection Agency in approving and denying specific pesticides. The controversial data come from 24 human pesticide experiments submitted to the EPA by companies seeking pesticide permits. The data, provided by the EPA to congressional officials, is being studied under a policy the Bush administration adopted last November to have political appointees referee on a case-by-case basis any ethical disputes over human testing.

(snip)

One study in 2002-2004 by University of California-San Diego researchers administered chloropicrin, a soil insecticide that during World War I was a chemical warfare agent, to 127 young adults. Trade-name products for it and mixtures of it _ such as Timberfume, Tri-Con, Preplant Soil Fumigant and Pic-Chor _ must carry a "danger" warning label. Most were college students and minorities who were paid $15 an hour to be put in a chamber or have the vapor shot into their nose and eyes after signing consent forms warning they should anticipate "some irritation in the nose, throat and eyes that could be sharp enough to cause blinking and tearing."

"Because you will be participating in an experiment, we must apprise you that there may be some risks that are currently unforeseeable," the consent form read.

(snip)

Another study dosed eight people with the pesticide azinphos-methyl for 28 days, and everyone reported headaches, abdominal pain, nausea, coughing and rashes, the report said. Boxer said the report "proves the Bush administration is encouraging dangerous pesticide testing on humans with no standards," despite the EPA's new policy.

[Moderator]

1. Duplicate topic

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1553667