Is use of herbicides in park safe?

I am writing to you with regards to a disturbing experience I had in the Wissahickon Valley part of Fairmount Park.

On Wednesday, July 9, at 2 p.m., I was driving down Valley Green Road, anticipating a quiet walk in the woods with my two-year-old son and my friend’s one-year-old baby. It was one of those intensely sticky, hot summer days and I had been dreaming about strolling in the cool, clean air along the Wissahickon. As I pulled into the lot by Valley Green Inn, I noticed a big white Fairmount Park truck stopped in the middle of the parking lot. I was immediately struck by the sight of a man standing in the back of the truck, putting on an impressive-looking gas mask and rubber gloves. Then, to my horror, he began to spray some apparently toxic chemical along the edges of the parking lot, right where I had been planning on unloading the kids. Indeed, other adults and children were getting in and out of their cars. There was no way I was going to expose the children to toxic solutions (even if we had had respirators and rubber gloves!). I turned the car around and followed the truck as it made its way up Valley Green Road. I watched in disbelief as the man applied gallons of chemicals shot at high velocity along the road, including on and beside the bridge that crosses the Wissahickon Creek.

I later learned from Friends of the Wissahickon, who contacted the Fairmount Park Commission, that the chemical being sprayed is the herbicide called Roundup. The active ingredient is 41 percent glyphosate isopropylamine salt.

I consulted the Glyphosate Pesticide Fact Sheet, which was prepared for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service by Information Ventures, Inc. According to this fact sheet, “Roundup causes eye irritation, is harmful if swallowed, and may cause skin irritation.” The man in the truck was somewhat protected with his gear, but the people walking, running and biking in the area were not. And children, who tend to touch everything, then put their hands to their faces, were at an even higher risk of exposure than adults.

The fact sheet states that “glyphosate is practically non-toxic to birds and mammals.” Is practically good enough? Yet it also states that “Glyphosate and its formulations have not been tested for chronic effects in terrestrial animals” (including humans). Thus, we really do not know the long-term affects it may have. It goes on to say that, “The Roundup formulation is moderately to slightly toxic to freshwater fish and aquatic invertebrate animals.” Yet, the herbicide was being sprayed directly over the Wissahickon Creek.

When I read the manufacturer’s Web site, I noticed a statement regarding Roundup Pro Herbicide that reads, “These products cannot be sold in California, Connecticut, Iowa, Nebraska or the state of Washington.” How non-toxic can they be if it is illegal to sell them in five states?

My question is this: Are the roadside weeds really more harmful than a very potent herbicide? I would love to see the spraying stop, and non-toxic methods of weed control used. There are many references for non-toxic ways of dealing with weeds and pests. The Fairmount Park Commission could refer to the Washington Toxics Coalition, an organization whose goal is to protect public health and the environment by eliminating toxic pollution. This organization has many recommendations for non-toxic alternatives to herbicides and pesticides.

At the very least, I recommend that permanent signs are posted in areas where herbicide and/or pesticide is applied so people can avoid those area should they so choose. Temporary signs should also be put up on days that spraying is done, posting the date, type of chemical, toxicity and precautions one should use if one is exposed to the chemical. As it stands now, there is no information about where or when herbicide or pesticide spraying is done. Are herbicides applied to all areas — even along Forbidden Drive and the smaller trails, or only along the main roads in and out of the park? Are pesticides used within the park — and if yes, where and when?

I am extremely disappointed and concerned by this experience. However, I am grateful that I observed the spraying. Otherwise, I would have gone on assuming that the Wissahickon part of Fairmount Park is a relatively clean, safe haven in the midst of the city. I am concerned for the health of my children, friends and neighbors who also enjoy the park. My concern extends to the dogs, horses and other creatures in the park, and particularly to the health of the creatures in the creek.

Natasha Kassell-Osborne, VMD
West Mt. Airy

Pastorius Park muggings

We can’t believe that the two attackers, who are known by name and location by the victims and friends of the victims, have not been arrested. Why haven’t the police gone to their homes and charged them with assault?

Police Sgt. Paraschak’s comment that the park is not a bad place is irrelevant. It sidesteps the issue.

Judy Rubin
Debs Bleicher
Mt. Airy

[Ed. note: While police are investigating all leads, sources have said the assailants are "drifters" with no known current residence.]

Apology needed

During the 20 years I have subscribed to the Local, I have read the letters to the editor section of the newspaper with skepticism and occasionally, amusement.

However, I was appalled at the photo of the body bag being removed from the home of the Wallace family.  I felt that photo was unnecessarily graphic.

That feeling was compounded by the shoddy, sensationalistic, reporting of the "muggings" in Pastorius Park.

As a subscriber, I feel that I am due an apology.

I hope last week's issue was an aberration and not an example of the future of the Local.

Mimi Jackson
Mt. Airy

Today the number passed 900

Just a number perhaps

a moment,

at sometime today

some young person's life

swung in the balance,

they drew their last breath

and were gone.

And all the hopes

that rode on them,

all the prayers

that followed them,

from all the people

who loved them

are done. 

All the glorious days

of a future

they would have held,

dreams they had in their heart,

words they wanted to say

and maybe children

they hoped to have

are gone.

In the wind of the desert,

in the smoke of explosion

at the speed of a bullet. 

Gone.

And we who mourn them

will never know

who they may have become,

what light they may have given

the World.

In their name

and with all the love we possess

let us work

to stop this war.

with hope,
Celeste Zappala

Ms. Zappala’s son, Sgt. Sherwood Baker, age 30, was killed in an explosion in Baghdad on April 26. He was 20.