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Do they really Spray Poison Along Side the Road?
University of Hawaii at Manoa, Environmental Center looks out for the public
Laura Rieber No Spray Staff WriterWhile looking up some information for our “No Spray Hawaii”, Awareness Card I came across a report put out by the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Environmental Center. This report dated back in 1996 strongly suggest to the public that there are “concerns” over the risk associated with the County of Hawaii spraying herbicides on the sides of public roadsides to control weeds. These concerns are towards human health as well as for pollution.
The report supported a measure, HB3892, to amend Chapter 264, HRS in banning herbicide spraying along roadsides and public highways by all state agencies over a period of three years. Weed control would be replaced by a “No Spray” method wich includes planting certain species of plants along roadsides or integrated vegetation management (IVM).
A task force, formed in 1991 by the Department of Health published a book called “Report to the Legislature on HCR 254, H.D. 1, S.D. 1 that suggest the use of IVM will replace the need to use herbicides along roadsides. They also claim that it will reduce erosion, pollution and leaching along roadsides that head into Hawaii’s ocean.
The use of herbicides instead of human labor are both an issue of cost and human safety. Herbicides are toxic sprays and are linked to diseases and health problems both while initially sprayed as well as long term through leaching. Using the IVM system and incorporating the right type of plants along roadsides eliminates both of these issues and does so without any poisoning of the earth and water.
Public concerns have been voiced on spraying for years prior to the report being published and the task force being formed in 1991. It has been known and understood that spraying must be replaced by “No Spray” methods. Let us all start now, in 2013 to actually make these suggestions reality. We are offering “No Spray Hawaii” signs for your front yard for a small price! Support a chemical free future and let the County of Hawaii know that you do not want poisons sprayed on your front yard any longer.
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