If You are Sprayed with Pesticides

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JOIN WITH OTHERS

Have you found it disturbing that I've been concentrating on things you should do to protect yourself and your property from the chemicals someone else was using? If so, you aren't alone. In fact, there are national, regional, and state-wide organizations that are devoted to stopping pesticide misuse and encouraging safe insect and weed control. Therefore, your own efforts can have more effect if you join with others . . . to spread the word and to convince legislators and state officials of the need for just, safe, and properly enforced laws. (Should your case be against a government agency, such as the Forest Service, you'll probably find outside support to be essential.)

Jay Feldman, who's the coordinator of NCAMP, the National Coalition Against Misuse of Pesticides, can help you to get together with people who share your concern . . . and to obtain other useful information. You can reach Jay at NCAMP, Dept. TMEN, 530 7th Street S.E., Washington, D.C. 20003 (202/543-4312). [EDITOR'S NOTE: While this group provides its assistance absolutely free of charge, we at MOTHER ask that-to help defray any expense-you be courteous enough to send along a dollar or two with your request for information.]

NCAMP can also use your support, because the nation's law governing pesticide safety and enforcement-the Federal Insecticide, Rodenticide, and Fungicide Act (FIRFA)-is up for reconsideration in Congress this year, and faces strong industry opposition. You can join NCAMP, and receive a periodic newsletter on related political developments, for $5.00.

Remember, as long as violations in the use of pesticides are not reported and then followed up, the same misuses will be repeated. It's up to each of us to take on the duties of preparing for and, if necessary, fighting against unnecessary spraying. By taking care of ourselves, we can-in the end - help others.

Good luck!

Most people, after being sprayed with a pesticide, are concerned primarily with how to keep such an incident from happening again. However, you may also want to try to collect "damage" money in order to replace the bees, trees, and other things or creatures that have been harmed or killed as a result of the spray. In that case, you'll have to prepare to prosecute. 

First, notify the offending applicator about your damaged property and its estimated value. Since many sprayers settle claims quickly-in order to protect their reputations-that may be all you have to do. 

At the same time, though, be sure to file any required reports in case you do have to go to court. This is particularly important if your slate has a statute of limitations on civil suits. (In Kansas, for instance, it's been noted that some applicators "promise" and "repromise" to make amends, while they merely wait for that state's 60day time limit to run out/) 

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