When I saw the Feb. 3 Cape Gazette political cartoon warning our Delaware government to limit the use of bee-killing insecticides, I pulled Rachel Carson's 1962 book "Silent Spring" from the shelf. In it she extensively documents the deleterious effects of chemical pesticides and herbicides on our entire ecosystem. including safe drinking water, the flora that add beauty to our lives, and our human health (including cancer).
Continued spraying of chemical poisons becomes additive. and they often remain in the environment for extended periods of time.
Therefore. our local parks and recreation committees, town and county councils, and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control need to be vigilant in monitoring and avoiding any chemical poisons such as glyphosates, and when possible, change to biologic or organically safe alternatives such as vinegar, corn gluten, essential oils and fatty acid soaps for weeds, especially on walkways. Public safety is in the balance.
Think about this the next time your pets lick their paws or your children roll in the grass and tumble in playgrounds, or you see birds eating worms or you eat fish contaminated with runoff or you put food sprayed with herbicides and/or pesticides in your mouth. But if you doubt any of this, read Carson's book to decide for yourself.
Richard N. Palmer MD
Lewes
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