Tweeters and Inlanders Please Note! Hans

Marlin Stum wrote:

> Dear HawkWatch Supporters:
>
> Please take a moment to read the following alert regarding the use of
> the pesticide, fenthion, and its devastating effect on raptors:
>
> Marty Stum, Membership Coordinator
> HawkWatch, International
> 1800 S. West Temple, Suite A226
> Salt Lake City, UT 84115
> (801) 484-6808 / 800-726-HAWK
> mstum at hawkwatch.org
>
> ***URGENT ACTION ALERT***
>
> TOXIC PESTICIDE KILLS BIRDS
>
> The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently considering
> re-registering the pesticide, fenthion, for mosquito control.
> Although fenthion is highly toxic to birds and less toxic alternatives
> exist, its use continues. Fenthion is currently used only in Florida,
> where it poses a severe threat to migratory shorebirds, songbirds, and
> raptors. In one instance alone, the deaths of 5,000 to 25,000 birds,
> particularly migrating warblers, was attributed to fenthion toxicity.
> Like DDT, fenthion poses a risk to raptors through bioaccumulation.
> In one study, 11 of 14 American Kestrels died within 24 hours of
> consuming a sparrow exposed to fenthion; the remaining kestrels also
> died later (Hunt, K.A., D.M. Bird, P. Mineau and L. Shutt. 1991.
> Secondary poisoning hazard of Fenthion to American kestrels. Archives
> of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 21:84-90).
>
> Fenthion also poses a risk to aquatic wildlife, including fish,
> amphibians, and aquatic invertebrates, through runoff. A non-specific
> toxin, fenthion can kill beneficial insects such as butterflies,
> dragonflies, and bees. In addition, fenthion poses health risks to
> exposed humans, especially children.
>
> You can help!
>
> * Visit the American Bird Conservancy's website,
> www.banfenthion.org <http://www.banfenthion.org>, to learn more
> about the Ban Fenthion campaign and send an email letter to the
> EPA, Bayer (the manufacturer of fenthion), and other
> decision-makers.
> * Write a letter to the EPA and encourage them to ban the use of
> fenthion due to its toxic effects on birds, other wildlife, and
> humans. Be sure to refer to Docket #OPP-34145A, Fenthion, in
> your correspondence.
>
> Mailing address:
>
> Public Information and Records Integrity Branch
>
> Information Resources and Service Division (7502C)
>
> Office of Pesticide Programs
>
> Environmental Protection Agency
>
> 401 M Street, SW
>
> Washington, D.C. 20460
>