Diazinon Plus

Another "accidental" poisoning leaves a mother and her family devastated

I was poisoned 4 years ago By Diazinon Plus used in the office building where I worked & have been sick ever since.  Following is a copy of the letter I sent the EPA - hope it helps.

Mary Jane Campbell 

Control Number

OPP-34225

I am writing to respond to your comment period on Diazinon in Particular and organophosphate pesticides in general and to ask you to ban Diazinon  and as many organophosphates as possible.  Because of a $4.50 bottle of Diazinon Plus - my life , my future and my health has been ruined. Mine is not an isolated incident - it happens daily and at enormous cost to individuals, families, taxpayers and society as a whole. The organophosphates are unreasonably dangerous products- unfortunately

- I learned this first hand and have met numerous other individuals and families who have learned this the hard way too. Poisoning incidents are grossly under reported because the acute effects of exposure are often misdiagnosed and the chronic effects are seldom connected to an exposure to these invisible poisons. Any investigation into these poisons quickly reveals that they are Too dangerous for use in the public - let alone around children, the sick, the elderly, or expectant parents. Below  are excerpts from a  letter which more fully explains what happened to me. Please ban Diazinon and organophosphates and prevent these nerve Gases from destroying other lives and families.

My name is Mary Jane Campbell and I live in Knoxville, TN.

I have been sick for over 4 years from organophosphate pesticide poisoning.  Even though I've documented my case with volumes of evidence and witnesses (including my boss and coworkers) - I am still being prevented from getting the medical help I need.  My entire family has been trapped in a legal, medical, and insurance nightmare that I hope no one else will ever have to experience.

    On April 29, 1996, when I arrived at work I immediately noticed a strong odor of pesticides as I opened the door.  We later discovered that an agricultural pesticide (Diazinon Plus) had been sprayed or spilled in the office building by a cleaning man.  After working in the fumes from the Diazinon Plus for weeks, I became increasingly ill and have been sick ever since.

    My workers comp claim was denied by Travelers Insurance Company after they drug it out and kept me from getting treatment for six months.  On our own and at our own expense, we found a doctor experienced in treating organophosphate poisoning.  His diagnosis was "classical manifestations of Organophosphate Pesticide poisoning...textbook perfect, offering a wonderful teaching case of an injury from this type of pesticide poisoning."  A second expert confirmed this diagnosis.  Some of the symptoms noted included: flu like symptoms, chills, dizziness, severe aches, abdominal pain, night sweats, nausea, weight loss, tightness in chest, cough, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, clumsiness, tachycardia, myalgia, muscle cramps, fatigue to exhaustion, tremors (worse on the right side), disorientation, headache, mental confusion, weakness.

My main problems now are autoimmune disease, breathing problems/shortness of breath, hypersensitivity to chemicals-especially pesticides, peripheral neuropathy, and neurocognitive dysfunction.

    Being poisoned has been a nightmare.  My whole family lost our medical insurance. I don't qualify for social security disability because I stayed home to raise our children when they were small.  We have spent every penny we had saved (including our children's college money) and have borrowed heavily trying to get me medical treatment.  My health has steadily deteriorated while my husband's business and my children's futures have been severely damaged.

THIS HAS TO BE STOPPED!

Mary Jane Campbell

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