Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 2:04 PM
Subject: fungicideFishNuts


>
> Fungicide maker in child defect storm
> Marissa Calligeros | February 2, 2009 - 6:03AM
>
>
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/queensland/fungicide-maker-in-defect-storm/\
2009/02/01/1233423016011.html?s_rid=smh:top5
> THE chemical linked with fish abnormalities and a possible cancer cluster
> on the Sunshine Coast has been at the centre of a storm over genetic
> defects in children born overseas.
>
> Manufacturer DuPont withdrew its fungicide Benlate from the US market in
> 2001 after it was forced to defend hundreds of law suits over the
> product's link with serious health issues, including a child who was born
> without eyes.
>
> In 2000, DuPont was ordered to pay Ecuadorian shrimp farmers more than
> $US10 million after Benlate run-off from banana plantations contaminated
> water supplies and poisoned shrimp stocks.
>
> Benomyl, the active ingredient in Benlate products, breaks down when
> sprayed and produces a fungicide, carbendazim, which Sunshine Coast
> macadamia farmers use.
>
> The hatchery, owned by Gwen Gilson, has a macadamia plantation on three
> sides.
>
> Ms Gilson said fish larvae at the Sunland Fish Hatchery, Noosaville,
> began convulsing and dying four years ago. In August, 90 per cent of fish
> larvae spawned at the hatchery from brood stock taken from the Noosa
> River had two heads.
>
> Residents of neighbouring properties and the plantation's former owner
> have been diagnosed with cancer in the past two years.
>
> The State Government has formed a taskforce to investigate but ruled out
> banning carbendazim at this time. Queensland Health is investigating any
> link between plantation run-off and cancer cases.
>
> Aquaculture veterinarian Matt Landos has investigated the fish
> abnormalities since 2006. He said the evidence that carbendazim was
> chiefly responsible for the abnormal fish larvae was "irrefutable".
>
> "The timing between the mist spraying and the affected larvae fits hand
> in glove," Dr Landos said. However, two other chemicals used at the
> plantation could have compounded the fungicide effects, he said.
>
> Benomyl is not registered in Australia, but carbendazim is the active
> ingredient in 23 fungicides that the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary
> Medicines Authority (APVMA) has approved.
>
> In 1996, a US Supreme Court jury awarded $US4 million to Donna and Juan
> Castillo, whose son John was born without eyes after Mrs Castillo was
> accidentally sprayed with Benlate while pregnant. DuPont's appeal awaits
> a hearing.
>
> As many as 29 compensation claims by Ecuadorian shrimp farmers are
> pending trial in the US. A report by the International Program on
> Chemical Safety into the effects of benomyl says the compound breaks down
> into carbendazim within 10 days of spraying.
>
> Spray dockets that The Sun-Herald obtained show carbendazim has been used
> on the Noosaville macadamia plantation since 2004. Two of those with
> cancer diagnoses have died and two are in remission.
>
> Sunland Fish Hatchery foreman Bernard Gevers recently started treatment
> for suspected bowel cancer.
>
> Residents including Ms Gilson believe the chemical may also be
> responsible for deformities in chickens, neurological disorders in dogs
> and horses miscarrying.
>
> Dr Landos has called for an immediate moratorium on the use of
> carbendazim until the claims are thoroughly investigated.
>
> "I would like to see a focus on finding alternatives for macadamia
> farmers urgently and identifying the safety of these chemicals by testing
> them on fish larvae," Dr Landos said.
>
> Greens leader Senator Bob Brown backed Dr Landos's call. "It's incredible
> that something that has been shown to be harmful to people and animals
> overseas continues to be manufactured and sold [in Australia]," the
> senator said.
>
> State Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said the
> APVMA was "reviewing the registration status of carbendazim".
> Source: The Sun-Herald
>
>


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