Methyl iodide safety » Ventura County Star

admin March 25, 2011 2 min read

Re: Deborah Bechtel’s March 22 letter, “Industry credibility”:

All of the questions surrounding methyl iodide’s safety have been asked and answered, as proven by more than three years of safe and effective use on more than 17,000 acres in the Southeast United States.

In addition, methyl iodide is now registered in Turkey, Morocco, New Zealand, Mexico and Japan. Contrary to the xenophobic and illogical associations recently made by Bechtel, methyl iodide was developed in Riverside, just a few miles away from Ventura County.

Arysta LifeScience has spent countless hours meeting with California regulators, reporters and members of the agricultural community to answer every question raised about methyl iodide. In spite of our open and honest approach, activists continue to spread mistruths about this needed tool — and those mistruths continue to be published.

Following the independent reviews of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and the United States EPA, there is no question that methyl iodide is one of the most comprehensively reviewed agrochemicals on the market today.

From the beginning, it has been our aim to provide the agricultural market with an effective tool in the wake of methyl bromide phase out. This continues to be our goal, and we remain committed to an open and honest dialogue about its use.

– Jeff Tweedy,

Cary, N.C.

– The writer is head of business development and regulatory affairs for Arysta LifeScience. — Editor

– vcstar.com Methyl iodide safety » Ventura County Star.

2 thoughts on “Methyl iodide safety » Ventura County Star”

thecatinthetree says:

April 22, 2011 at 11:20 pm

Interesting that the MSDS for methyl iodide states the following:
"DANGER! MAY BE FATAL IF SWALLOWED, INHALED OR ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. AFFECTS CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT.
Potential Health Effects
Inhalation: Inhalation of vapors can irritate the respiratory tract. Overexposure may produce symptoms of vertigo, delirium and mental disturbances. Other symptoms may include slurred speech, drowsiness, coughing, nausea and vomiting. Higher exposures can cause a build up of fluid in the lungs which can cause death.
Ingestion may damage the gastro-intestinal tract. Severe intoxication can occur with symptoms of central nervous system depression. Coma, convulsions, and death may follow.
Skin contact: Causes irritation, rash and blister formation. Prolonged contact can cause skin burns. Can be absorbed through skin with toxic effects.
Vapors can cause irritation. Splashes may cause severe irritation with eye damage.
Chronic exposure: Prolonged or repeated exposure to smaller doses cause primarily central nervous system effects. Symptoms may include slurred speech, blurred vision, Parkinsonian rigidity and memory defects. Has been shown to cause cancer in animals and may be linked to cancer in humans.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:

Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or eye problems, or impaired respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of the substance."

Oh, but it is safe, right?
admin says:

April 23, 2011 at 12:50 am

Thanks for posting.

You will notice that many , MSDS and Label Information is SCARY to read. Look at Aspirin or Coffee or Pepsi Cola Concentrate. You might be surprised.

Your child will be fine.

ASPIRIN:
WARNING! HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYESAND RESPIRATORY TRACT. MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC RESPIRATORY REACTION. POSSIBLEBIRTH DEFECT HAZARD. MAY CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS BASED ON ANIMAL DATA.AFFECTS THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM, LIVER, KIDNEYS, EYES, SKIN AND BLOOD.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/53664069/Aspirin

Sodium fluoride:

A preservative, oral care in cosmetics, toothpastes, dentifrices, cigarettes. See Fluoride.

MSDS: DANGER! MAY BE FATAL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. AFFECTS RESPIRATORY SYSTEM, HEART, SKELETON, CIRCULATORY SYSTEM, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AND KIDNEYS. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. IRRITATION EFFECTS MAY BE DELAYED.

Potential Health Effects
If inhaled or swallowed, this compound can cause fluoride poisoning. Early symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and weakness. Later effects include central nervous system effects, cardiovascular effects and death.

Inhalation: Causes severe irritation to the respiratory tract, symptoms may include coughing, sore throat, and laboured breathing. May be absorbed through inhalation of dust; symptoms may parallel those from ingestion exposure. Irritation effects may not appear immediately.
Ingestion: Toxic! May cause salivation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. Symptoms of weakness, tremors, shallow respiration, carpopedal spasm, convulsions, and coma may follow. May cause brain and kidney damage. Affects heart and circulatory system. Death may occur from respiratory paralysis. Estimated lethal dose = 5-l0 grams.
Skin Contact: Causes irritation, with redness and pain. Solutions are corrosive. Effects may not appear immediately.
Eye Contact: Eye irritant! May cause irritation and serious eye damage. Effects may not immediately appear.
Chronic Exposure: Chronic exposure may cause mottling of teeth and bone damage (osteosclerosis) and fluorosis. Symptoms of fluorosis include brittle bones, weight loss, anaemia, calcified ligaments, general ill health and joint stiffness.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions: Populations that appear to be at increased risk from the effects of fluoride are individuals that suffer from diabetes insipidus or some forms of renal impairment.