Massachusetts  Division of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement illegally has unprotected employees spray 2,4-D.. leading to continued health problems

In March of 1996 I took a position with the Massachusetts  Division of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement. Shortly  after starting I was informed that we were going to be using a chemical  herbicide to control unwanted vegetation in field areas that are stocked with  game for hunting. I was given a two to three minute period of instruction in  the "safe" use of the material, which essentially was to be sure to wash  prior to eating, and no other restrictions. We were using old Fantastik spray  bottles as applicators for the material, and the issue of protective clothing  etc. was never addressed.

At the time I was totally unfamiliar with the chemical names as listed on the  MSDS. Again the Division Safety Officer assured me that this was similar to  what you might use around your own home. Sadly nothing could have been  further from the truth.

The primary ingredients were 2,4-D and Picloram with a number of "inert  ingredients".

This formulation as I have since come to realize was used in Viet Nam under  the code name Agent White or Tourdon101. After using this material for  approximately one year I became aware of the actual regulations regarding  this materials use in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This material is a  restricted use product that requires commercial applicators license to use and the facility possessing the material was also required to be licensed to  posses a restricted use product. Neither of these requirements was met. As a  result of the use I now suffer a variety of medical problems including a  cardiac abnormality, right-sided paralysis of the whole body, various visual  problems, skin eruptions with skin loss to the hands and feet,  gastrointestinal problems, a vocal chord lesion, and sinus problems. In a ten  year period from approximately 1990 to present this material was used by four other employees who also developed multiple heath effects. At this point I am  fighting the state for compensation, but this has been extremely slow in  coming if in fact it ever will and as a result I not only have to deal with  the physical loss but also am facing financial ruin as a result of the  underhanded tactics of this state. Massachusetts is a self-regulating,  self-investigating, self insuring state so I'm sure you can imagine the  difficulty in dealing with them.

Sincerely,

Douglas J. Sowle

DiveInstr77@aol.com

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