Turn off TV and take a stand against herbicides

The excellent guest opinion (July 9, 2006) "Pristine lake has been hijacked by chemical prostitutes" by Leonard G. Horowitz, resonates in my mind. Thank you, sir, for taking a stand. The dumping of thousands of pounds of 2,4-D (a relative of Vietnam's "Agent Orange") is in completion phase at the height of the swimming season.

Milfoil opponents held educational meetings, and a prayer and milfoil vigil was held on Highway 95. Prayer is great but knowledge is power. Herbicide toxicity is not a subject explained away in a few paragraphs in a newspaper, or on orange warning signs posted. I have been left feeling, "What can I do? It's too late." We are relying on the "experts" to make our often fatal environmental health decisions.

It is worth missing one TV show to get some facts on the Internet. Click on http://www.beyondpesticides.org/pesticides/factsheets/index.htm for the one on 2,4-D. Factsheet says 2,4-D "has been linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, kidney/liver damage, toxicity to dogs, fish, birds, etc." It also says 2,4-D has a high potential to leach from soils, and therefore presents a potential for contaminating groundwater.

As Hanford downwinders in North Idaho know too well — a rush to contaminate a pristine environment for a quick fix can bring decades of "oops, should have checked that one a little better." Please tear yourselves away from the television now, get some legal power going. Not again, next year.

MIKKI McGOLDRICK

Sandpoint