DURSBAN
WARNING!
April 2011 / Barbara J. Andrews, Publisher
TheDogPlace
Summer
time means flea treatment and lawn sprays but beware common pesticides
such as Dursban, which caused
brain damage before being banned.
Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate known
as chlordane,
was used in over 30 million homes as a termite treatment
before banned for that use in 1988.
The pesticide does not appear to be closely regulated today
and is still used on many vegetable crops.
The
pesticide was/is sprayed on turkeys and used as a dip for
sheep. It is used in barns and storage bins,
but most important to dog owners, these organophosphates have permeated ground
water, wells, and
many streams in rural areas.
6/2000
ABC News -
says Dursban replaced more dangerous chemicals used to treat termite
infestations but is still "not regarded as safe" when
animals or humans are exposed on a regular basis. Injected into the soil under the slab or
foundation of home and other buildings, Dursban has leached into well
water and water
treatment facilities. The chemical is long-lived,
persistent in the ground, (that's how it prevents termite
re-infestation) and clings to plants, which means it can
accumulate in certain crops.
Although sold under many trade
and chemical names (permethrin) today, these pesticides are a nerve toxin! It is not a new
discovery that it causes brain damage. (See Dursban Lawsuit
[1] EPA and other
agencies have known that for years. Can this be the next
example of ignoring substances like tobacco and asbestos?
Has the truth about Chlorpyrifos been kept from the public
until we finally assembled so much proof and so many damage
cases have been won that finally, it hits mainstream media?
In addition to brain damage,
Dursban can cause cholinesterase impairment and liver
malfunction. Symptoms are usually delayed, beginning one to
four weeks after exposure. This makes it much more difficult
to pin down, especially in dogs and cats with strange
symptoms. Even if the vet determines there is liver damage,
will he relate it to chemical poisoning? Likely not.
Watch your pets after lawn or pesticide treatment. It
probably contains a potent chemical component which can
attack your dog's nervous system just as it does the bugs. Do not let children crawl around
on
treated carpets, under the house, or play in any previously
termite-treated building. Diatomaceous earth works well in
carpet but what works best is a strong immune system in a
healthy dog!
The risk of poisoning and
subsequent brain damage is not like an allergic reaction
wherein some people react and others are not affected. These
pesticides are strong chemical toxins and repeated or high exposure will lead to
physiological damage in pets as well as people.
Related Articles:
Flea Poison
letter to Ted Koppel, The Discovery Channel
Scratching The Surface, scratching and heartworm
meds nearly killed toy dog
Dursban Chemical Lawsuit, Dog itching? Flea Allergies?
2011 report reveals toxic chemical still in use!
