More Regulations for Pesticides

    Hello, my name is Cole Lozon and I am from the trivium FFA chapter. One thing that FFA encourages is to educate the public about issues involving agriculture, which is why I’m writing this letter. Recently I have done research on the best way to manage algae growth in watering tanks, which lead me to look at types of Algaecides (AKA Pesticides) that ranchers use. A very common type of Algaecide that is used in Arizona has a Copper sulfate base or Copper Sulfate Crystals. Along with that compound are other chemicals such as Triethanolamine and Aminoethanol. While doing initial research on these chemicals they do not seem that bad; however, upon further investigation these chemicals are harmful to the environment, harmful to livestock, and deadly to humans. The chemical Aminoethanol has been linked to cancer by The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and has been banned in several states, and the Triethanolamine has been linked to “adverse effects on reproductive function or fetal development” (Safety Data Sheets). The same chemical is also said to cause liver failure in animals after being exposed to it for long periods of time. This type of Algaecide also includes Copper Carbonate which is listed as a toxic pollutant under the U.S. Clean Water Act Section 307. On the label of these Copper Sulfate base products it says “Environmentally Hazardous Material” (Applied Biochemists). Not to mention the overall lack of research done on this chemical. To regester a pesticide you need to do trials on animals and how the chemicals react with them; however, for this type of Algaecide there is no data on how it reacts with animals. However, all of that isn’t the reason why I’m writing this letter. The reason why is because Arizona does not have strict regulations on pesticides and pesticide labels. Nowhere on the label does it say it will harm the livestock in any way. Nowhere on the label does it say it contains a toxic pollutant that’s under the US Clean Water Act. Nowhere does it say that one of its chemicals has been linked to cancer. I seek change in the ways of which we label our pesticides. The label should not just include the effects on humans, it should include the effects on all living things. The label should be required to disclose if it contains any chemicals that are listed under the EPA as harmful or toxic. Arizona should also have more regulations on types of pesticides used, so that we do not end up using one that can devastate the ecosystem. It is my goal to, to make this change happen, and now that you have heard about this issue I implore you to do your own research on it so that you advocate for this. Thank you.
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