Gypsy Moth Spray

(May 6, 2009 update) Next Gypsy Moth spraying postponed until Friday For more information: Southeast Neighbors page on the Gypsy Moth issue Oregon Statute Requiring Physicians to Report Pesticide Poisoning (Exposure) – OAR 333.018 (note highlighted sections) Testimonials received by OTA from residents

You can call the Oregon Department of Agriculture for information
Hotline for status updates: 1-800-525-0137
or sign up for automated calls at:
http://oda.state.or.us/dbs/ippm_registry/add.lasso

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) plans to use helicopters to deliver the biological insecticide Bacilus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) over 626-acres (click for map) around the Old Dillard Road area. This action is intended to eradicate a suspected population of gypsy moths. Btk will be delivered as one ingredient in the formulation Foray 48B. Foray 48B contains 12.65% Btk bacterium and 87.35% other ingredients that the manufacturer refuses to disclose to the public.

The proposed dates of the aerial spray application are below.
The spray operation will commence at 5:30AM and last 2 or 3 hours:

• Tuesday, April 28 - postponed; carried out Thursday, April 30th.
• Thursday, May 7 - postponed until Friday, May 8th
• Tuesday, May 19

OTA's Position

Pesticide exposure is a matter of both human rights and environmental health. We do not endorse a plan to carry out aerial pesticide sprays over or near residential neighborhoods. However, OTA’s research has not yet shown a safer solution that will address the State government’s desire to eradicate the gypsy moth.

Thus, OTA is working to make sure that actions to eradicate the moth are based on the precautionary principle, which means that human and environmental protection is the first priority. OTA also defends the public’s right to know about risks and what can be done to avoid risk. It is absolutely necessary to ensure that the State provides accurate and full disclosure of pesticide ingredients and health information.

What You Can Do

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What You Can Do

OTA initiated a collaborative process with the Oregon Department of Agriculture and other federal, state and local agencies to provide a comprehensive fact sheet for Eugene residents. We worked hard to ensure that everyone can access information about what precautions they can take to reduce the risk of exposure.

OTA strongly recommends that all persons with immune deficiencies, respiratory diseases (including asthma), chemical sensitivity, women who are pregnant, and families caring for young children take precautionary action to avoid exposure to the pesticide spray

DOWNLOAD THE GYPSY MOTH FACT SHEET HERE.
THIS FACT SHEET WAS CREATED WITH INPUT FROM THESE ORGANIZATIONS:
Oregon Toxics Alliance, Oregon Department of Agriculture, USDA APHIS, City of Eugene, Lane County Public Health Department and the SE Neighborhood Organization

Basic Facts About Foray 48B

• Foray 48B, the formula containing Btk, is reported to result in some adverse health effects.
• By law, agricultural workers must wait 4 hours before entering a Foray 48B spray zone.
  
• The spray will impact 1500 South Eugene homes, schools and 2 city parks.
• Research shows that Btk/Foray 48B can move indoors and accumulate at higher levels than outdoors 5-6 hours after the spray.
• The Btk/Foray 48B insecticide has been shown to drift as much as ¼ miles beyond the target area. Depending on weather conditions, drift can travel farther.
• The insecticide will kill larvae of beneficial moths and butterflies other than the gypsy moth if the larvae are feeding at the time of the spray; their populations will be negatively impacted for at least three years.
• California’s 2009 Gypsy Moth program is using ground sprays and only near sites where the moth was actually found.
• Btk/Foray 48B has not been tested for safety for children and pregnant women.
  Important Protections Eugene Residents Should Take

DOWNLOAD THE GYPSY MOTH FACT SHEET HERE.

Basic Facts About Health Precautions

• Foray 48B used in an agricultural setting requires a 4-hour interval between application and re-entry time. If you have health concerns, you may wish to use this as a guideline to stay indoors or away from the spray area for at least 4 hours after a spray.
• The Oregon Department of Agriculture asks all residents in the spray zone to stay indoors or away from the area for a minimum of 30 minutes after the spray.
• Do not send your children to walk to school, walk your dog, go for a jog, take a walk with your friends, water your garden or do other early morning activities on the mornings of the spray until well after the aerial application is completed and the product is completely dry and stuck fast to leaves and grass.
• The State suggests making sure your home is draft proof - use towels, duct tape, etc around drafty windows and doorways.
• Shut off all ventilation systems during and for at least 30 minutes after the spray.
• Hose off outdoor furniture, playground equipment take in pet dishes and bikes, etc.

More Details

Human Rights Violations: Btk delivered by helicopter is not safe for people. The application of harmful chemicals over public areas without our permission is a violation of our human rights.

Children and Pregnant Women are Most at Risk: Areas with schools and homes are not appropriate places for pesticide sprays. Medical and science research has shown that pesticide exposure disproportionately impacts infants, children and pregnant women – even at very low levels.

Evidence of Harm to Humans: There have been documented reports of adverse physical health effects associated with aerial spray exposures from all over the world, from Canada to New Zealand to California. Potential adverse health effects attributable to exposures to aerial spray, drift and residues include respiratory, cardiovascular, dermal and neurologic effects. We hope that adverse health effects will be diminished in Eugene because the Department of Agriculture is using a less toxic formulation of Foray 48B.