Pesticide Applicator lost his job at Weed Man for wearing a protective mask on the job.

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Subject:     Mask gets man fired
     Date:     Fri, 13 Jun 2003
    From:     Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization:     Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)

To:     Paul Helliker <phelliker@cdpr.ca.gov>
          Director, State of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation 

cc:    Christine Whitman whitman.christine@epa.gov

2003-06-07 03:44:58 - London Free Press - Mask gets man fired

The Londoner lost his job at Weed Man for wearing a protective mask on the job.

JONATHAN SHER, Free Press Reporter

One of Canada's largest lawn-care companies has fired a London man for wearing a mask while applying pesticide. Weed Man, with more than 150 franchises worldwide, parted ways last month with 19-year-old Braden Neron because he wore a protective mask and wanted to keep wearing it.

"I'm surprised . . . I think it's wrong," Neron said.

Weed Man manager Tom Davies said Neron wasn't allowed to wear a mask in part because it would create a false impression among customers that the pesticide, called Par III, is dangerous.

"I'm concerned about the company image given the political climate," Davies said.

His comments angered local environmentalist Patty Webber, who co-chairs the London Coalition Against Pesticides.

"The lawn-care industry is so intent on presenting their pesticide products as safe, they have lost sight of what is really important -- protecting people from real or potential harms," said Webber, a registered nurse.

But Davies said Weed Man was looking out for Neron's best interests.  The mask Neron brought to work May 15 filters particles, but the mist produced by the liquid pesticide might saturate the mask, creating concentrated levels.

"We were not comfortable sending someone out with improper gear," said Davies, whose claim the mask is harmful was disputed by Neron.

Asked if Weed Man would allow a mask that filters mist, Davies said, "I'd have some reservations . . . If the cleaning staff at your office applied Mr. Clean with a gas mask, what image would that send?"

Par III is less toxic than table salt, aspirin or chloraseptic mouth wash, Davies said. Weed Man follows guidelines recommended on the product's label: Employees wear pants, long sleeve shirts and rubber gloves and boots.

The product has never been linked to health problems and is regulated under Canadian controls more stringent than those for drugs, Davies said.

Medical studies have been less clearcut, according to several government agencies and academic institutions that monitor or study the chemicals in Par III: 2,4-D DMA salt, mecoprop and dicamba.

Though studies haven't found a clear link, some have shown a possible link to tumours that could be proved or disproved by further studies.

The manufacturer of Par III describes the risks of the product in a material safety data sheet, warning overexposure can damage kidneys and the central nervous system. It recommends using a mask or respirator, but only if vapours exceed an acceptable level.

Canada's regulatory system for pesticides is being overhauled and Health Canada has pointed to problems with existing regulations.

- The public are forbidden from seeing test data or evaluations of health and environmental risks of pesticides and can't ask that a registration of one be revoked.

- Companies that use pesticides aren't required to report adverse effects.

- Government inspectors have too little power and fines are too low.

Copyright © The London Free Press 2001,2002,2003

Well Mr. Helliker, I remember when the POISON "industry and regulators" demanded I stop using masks and gloves when I tried to protect my men and myself from Chlordane ------ I was assured that we/I could safely bathe in the concentrate. Too many people have sickened and/or died from these terrible lies!

Respectfully,  Stephen L. Tvedten

Original:   http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/News/2003/06/07/105345.html

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[Note:  Has anyone ever read the label of any pesticide whether off the store shelf or applied by a pest control company to find anything that states:  "Safe for use around children, pets, or pregnant women?  Guess what.  That would be an illegal statement under Federal law.]

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