MONTGOMERY COUNTY SIERRA CLUB CALLS FOR

ENFORCEMENT ACTION FOR ROCK CREEK FISH KILL

Bethesda -- In the aftermath of the recent catastrophic fish kill in Rock Creek, local conservationists are demanding actions to avoid future occurrences. Preliminary investigation by the Montgomery Department of the Environment indicates that

Montgomery County's largest fish kill, approximately 150,000 fish, resulted from a landscaping company's staff rinsing its equipment containing the insecticide cypermethrin into a storm drain that empties into Rock Creek.

"Contrary to popular misconception, dilution is not the solution to pollution," said Jim Fary, spokesman for the Sierra Club's Montgomery County group. "Poisons rinsed into neighborhood storm drains and streams can endanger not only fish and wildlife

but also neighborhood kids."

The Sierra Club is asking the Duncan and Glendening administrations to:

1. Fully investigate the release that caused the massive fish kill.

2. Fully enforce requirements for training and supervision of pesticide applicators.

3. Actively promote alternates to the use of highly toxic chemicals. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) uses a combination of biological and cultural methods to control pests.

4. Apply the full force of the law to those who pollute our public waters.

Furthermore, The Sierra Club disputes reports in the press that cypermethrin is not toxic to humans. A scan of Extoxnet, The Extension Toxicology Network (http://ace.orst.edu/info/extoxnet/) turns up the following statements with regard to cypermethrin:

- "Symptoms of dermal exposure include numbness, tingling, itching, burning
sensation, loss of bladder control, incoordination, seizures, and possible
death."

- " Symptoms of high-dose ingestion include nausea, prolonged vomiting, stomach pains, and diarrhea which progresses to convulsions, unconsciousness, and coma.."

“Many of the chemicals in use today are deemed safe for humans but, in fact, we have no idea what the cumulative effects are of exposure to these substances” said Betsy Johnson, Chair of the Montgomery County Group. “Remember, it was once thought that DDT was a harmless pesticide.”

No matter whether the pesticide is organic or inorganic, training and supervision for those who handle pesticides should be mandatory. And that training should include how to dispose of the chemical in a way that will not harm our environment. Our health and the health of our families and our natural world depend on this.

The US EPA's hotline for health effects and spills is 800-858-7378.

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