#003b: Common Weed Killer Now Linked To Cancer Deaths In New Study.

=======================Electronic Edition========================

RACHEL'S HAZARDOUS WASTE NEWS #3
---December 15, 1986---
News and resources for environmental justice.
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Environmental Research Foundation
P.O. Box 5036, Annapolis, MD 21403
Fax (410) 263-8944; Internet: erf@igc.apc.org==========
RACHEL-4CM = DIOXIN FOCUSED DIRECTORY Remote Access Chemical Hazards Electronic Library. Dioxinnz.com
=======================Original Source========================

A new study by the National Cancer Institute and the University of Kansas has linked exposure to herbicides with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, lymphatic cancers besides Hodgkins disease. The study was based on the health histories of 948 male Kansas farmers who had cancer and an equal number of non- cancer victims for comparison.

The study points up 2,4-D as a cause of cancer; 2,4-D is found in many lawn-care products commonly used around suburban homes.

The study found that if farmers were exposed to herbicides 20 days a year or more, they were 600% more likely to contract lymphatic cancer than people who did not work with herbicides. The risk for farmers who came in actual contact, mixing or applying the chemicals, increased eightfold. Farmers who failed to use protective equipment such as gloves or masks while working with pesticides were 40% more likely to develop cancer than those who used protection.

The higher cancer risk was found to be particularly associated with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, or 2,4-D, a chemical compound used in a variety of herbicides. Agent Orange, the herbicide sprayed in Vietnam that is the focus of lawsuits filed by exposed veterans, contains 2,4-D and an established link between cancer and exposure to 2,4-D could have a profound effect on those lawsuits.

--Peter Montague, Ph.D.

Descriptor terms: lawsuits; ks; cancer; lymphatic cancer; herbicides; pesticides; nci; 2,4-d; 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic; agent orange; studies; national cancer institute; university of kansas;

#5a: Cancer-Causing Weed Killer May Endanger Farmers, Suburbanites.

=======================Electronic Edition========================

RACHEL'S HAZARDOUS WASTE NEWS #5
---December 29, 1986---
News and resources for environmental justice.
------
Environmental Research Foundation
P.O. Box 5036, Annapolis, MD 21403
Fax (410) 263-8944; Internet: erf@igc.apc.org ==========
RACHEL-4CM = DIOXIN FOCUSED DIRECTORY Remote Access Chemical Hazards Electronic Library. Dioxinnz.com =================================Original Source========================

Recent studies linking the weed killer, 2,4-D, to cancer are causing the chemical and lawn industries, consumer groups and federal and state environmental agencies to reconsider use of the chemical. A study by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Bethesda, MD, found that farmers who had been exposed to 2,4-D were 6 times more likely to develop non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (a tumor of the lymph system) than farmers not exposed. A study by Hazleton Laboratories America of Vienna, VA, one of 30 performed for chemical manufacturers since 1980, found that about 10% of rats exposed to the chemical developed brain tumors. 

2,4-D is found in more than 1,500 over-the-counter weedkillers. Chemlawn Services, the nation's largest professional lawn care company, recently suspended all use of the herbicide. The U.S. EPA will decide in a month or two whether to give 2,4-D special review -a process requiring up to 2 years.

An environmental toxicologist from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey says the dioxins that contaminate 2,4-D are in the middle range of toxicity and 2,4-D could be used safely only with protective gear--masks, boots and gloves. The Pesticide Public Policy Foundation, a chemical industry group, said 2,4-D is perfectly safe for use around the home, even without gloves. The Chevron Chemical Company, maker of Ortho Weed B Gone the largest selling 2,4-D herbicide for home use, also says no protective clothing is needed when using the herbicide.

2,4-D is most commonly used by herbicide manufacturers because it is cheaper, less toxic and more effective than some other weed killers. A spokesman for the National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides said that farmers may be justified in using 2,4-D because their livelihood depends on it, but said it is absurd for people to put themselves at risk for an emerald lawn.

--Peter Montague, Ph.D.

Descriptor terms: 2,4-d; herbicides; pesticides; cancer; nci; studies; dioxin; pesticide public policy foundation; chemlawn services; laboratories america; poisons; chevron chemical company; ortho weed be gone;