A young mother, was living in a small house that was constantly invaded by ants. She purchased some Diazinon from a local nursery and was assured it was safe to use around children. She heavily sprinkled her backyard with this pesticide on a monthly basis. Shortly thereafter she discovered she was pregnant. Because the ants kept coming back, she continued to use this poison all during her pregnancy
Her baby, Jasmin, was born in 1992. Jasmin was small and a little underweight; other than that, everything seemed normal. Until Jasmin was 3, her mother used this pesticide outdoors and occasionally indoors for ant control.
As Jasmin began to toddle, like most children she was falling down a lot. At 3 yrs. old the falling down and coordination problem continued and although a bright child she was having problems with controlling her verbal and motor behaviors. Nothing bad but she could not stop talking and didn't seem to be able to logically control some of her behaviors as if there were no connection between her ears and brain.
At 4 yrs old, Jasmin began to show signs of entering puberty. She was diagnosed with Precocious Puberty. As Jasmin's 4 yr. body raged out of hormonal control, her mother searched for answers. From speaking to physicians, we discovered that precocious puberty is on the rise throughout the US and becoming much to common. Dr. Janette Sherman suggests that Jasmin's condition is probably the result of poisoning while in the womb (the period her mother used the Diazinon). Jasmin must now take a monthly injection to slow down this process until her mind and body are ready (and who knows what the long term effects of the "treatment will do"..
Jasmin (on right) with sister Dejanee
Jasmin is 8 now and is showing signs of chemical sensitivity. At home, her mother only uses nontoxic cleaners, soaps and shampoos. Jasmin was getting excellent grades until she moved schools and her new class is in a temporary school building with little ventilation so the off-gassing from the walls and furniture may be the cause. Along with the temporary classroom problem, her mother knows the school district routinely sprays the school buses and schools with pesticides.
For the first time in her life, Jasmin grades are falling and her ability to control her behavior is declining. Like many parents, her mother has few choices on how to save Jasmin from this constant poisoning at school.
We believe that Jasmin's original poisoning came while in the womb from Diazinon. (The EPA determined in December, 2000 that Diazinon was to toxic to children for home use and has instituted a ban -- not to take effect until 2002 to late for Jasmin and probably millions of other children.)
