ChowBaby

Whoa! Millions of bass larvae at a fish farm in Australia were growing two heads before dying en masse. Tests excluded a virus or bacteria, and it's thought that the culprit is one of two insecticides being used at a nearby macadamia nut farm. The problem presented when water from the Noosa River was used on site or bass from the Noosa River were introduced to the farm.

I wish it was clear whether this fish farm is raising fish for human consumption (none of the news stories I've found say--are there other reasons to raise fish on a farm?). Even if not, seems pretty clear that the river is contaminated. Not to mention the macadamia nuts being sprayed with the toxic stuff.

The two chemicals in question are an insecticide called Endosulfan and the fungicide Carbendazim. Scientific America gives a quick overview of the legal status of both of these around the world (they are both widely, but not universally, banned due to their high levels of toxicity). But I wanted to know more about the status of these incredibly toxic farming chemicals in the US.

Endosulfan
This chemical is known to be an endocrine interruptor and is banned in over 50 countries. A global ban on the use and manufacture of the chemical is being considered under the Stockholm Convention. (The EU submission to the Stockholm Convention states, among other things, "Endosulfan was found among the most frequently reported intoxication incidents, adding unintentionally further evidence to its high toxicity for humans.") In the U.S., the EPA recently closed comments on a petition to ban the chemical here. But it appears that, for now, it is legal and used on cotton, tomatoes, potatoes, and apples. I've called (703-308-0128) and emailed Tracy Perry, the EPA's chemical review manager for Endosulfan, to confirm this. Will keep you posted if I hear back!

Carbendazim
It's much harder to find info about Carbendazim. The EPA's page on the chemical doesn't give much info, but links to this scorecard which lists 4 suspected human health hazards, among other disturbing details. The European scorecard for Carbendazim says:

PREVENT DISPERSION OF DUST! AVOID EXPOSURE OF (PREGNANT) WOMEN! AVOID EXPOSURE OF ADOLESCENTS AND CHILDREN!

It's the only thing on the page in ALL CAPS. The good news is that the chemical was withdrawn from the U.S. market in 2001. Phew... well, at least for us here in the U.S.

-S

[via Yahoo]

related resources:
the Pesticide Action Network
Pesticide Watch
Pesticide Action Network's overview and updates on Endosulfan