The United States
is one of the few countries in the world that still permits
agricultural uses of the pesticide lindane. More than 50
countries--including all of Europe,
Canada, and most recently
Mexico--have phased out lindane use
in agriculture. Ninety-nine percent of remaining lindane use
in the
U.S. is for seed treatment of a
handful of grain crops.
Lindane, a dangerous neurotoxic pesticide, persists in the
environment and builds up in our bodies. A recent study from
the Centers for Disease Control found lindane's breakdown
product in 62% of people whose blood was sampled in the United States,
with the highest levels in women of childbearing age.
Lindane is also transported on wind and air currents to the
Arctic region, where it is one of the most commonly found
chemicals in the environment and a particular threat to
indigenous people in the region.
Bayer CropScience recently acquired the company that
distributes lindane agricultural products in
North America. Canada has already banned seed treatment with
lindane, and in early 2005, Bayer announced that it will
withdraw registration of lindane seed treatment products in Mexico. Bayer executives need to
know that the U.S.
public wants to join Canada,
Mexico and the rest of the world and
stop using this dangerous pesticide!
Act Now:
Write to Esmail Zirakparvar, President and CEO of Bayer
CropScience's North American offices, urging him to
immediately withdraw registration of lindane seed treatment
products in the
U.S.
More information about
lindane.
