And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Source: <A HREF="http://www.seattletimes.com/news/local/html98/fert_19990403.html">http:/ /www.seattletimes.com/news/local/html98/fert_19990403.html</A> ========================================================= April 3, 1999 Fertilizer warning labels may be simplified by Jim Lynch Seattle Times Olympia bureau OLYMPIA - Fertilizer companies appear to have succeeded in persuading lawmakers to let them abbreviate warning labels that inform consumers they may be dumping toxic metals onto their gardens or lawns. Instead of requiring a label which states that fertilizers meet state standards for nine metals, a proposed new law would allow companies to simply name a Web site where consumers could find more information about the product. The bill cleared a House committee yesterday. Similar legislation has passed the Senate. Environmental groups are outraged by the apparent weakening of a law they claim is already too weak. "If we're going to have toxic wastes in our fertilizers, then we want them labeled such that people can see right at the store what sort of poisons they're going to pour out on their garden," said Jon Stier of WashPIRG. However, the fertilizer industry, particularly The Scotts Co., has persuaded key legislators that the law passed by the Legislature last year was too wordy and has complicated sales in other states. The Legislature is considering abbreviating the label, despite evidence from the state Department of Agriculture that most fertilizer companies haven't bothered to follow the law, which took effect in July. An agency study in February found that only a few fertilizer companies were putting the new label on their products, said Mary Beth Laing, assistant to the agency director. The labels became an issue last year after The Seattle Times revealed that hazardous industrial wastes are routinely recycled into fertilizers sold in Washington. Gov. Gary Locke responded with a proposal to make fertilizer companies list concentrations of metals on the outside of their products. A strong lobbying effort by the industry batted that down, and a compromise became law. That law requires this statement: "This product has been registered with the Washington State Department of Agriculture. When applied as directed, this fertilizer meets the Washington standards for arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, mercury, molybdenum, lead, nickel, selenium and zinc. You have the right to receive specific information about Washington standards from the distributor of this product." Under the proposed revised law, which appears likely to pass, labels could say: "Information received by the Washington State Department of Agriculture regarding the components in this product is available on the Internet at . . ." Or the labels could say, "Information regarding the contents and levels of metals in this product is available on the Internet at . . ." At a recent hearing, Paula Body of Scotts told a panel of House lawmakers that the company wants a single, uniform label it can put on its products in all states. "We have a lot of problems that the Washington language will not be accepted in all states," she said. Sen. Karen Fraser, D-Lacey, led the charge last year for tighter fertilizer regulations but supports the changes after hearing concerns from a variety of companies. The more concise language simplifies the label and and makes it easier to comply, Fraser said. She also says it helps companies avoid complications with other states that don't want the confusion of Washington regulatory language on products sold in their markets. Rep. Kelli Linville, D-Bellingham, also supports the changes but says the best solution is to set national standards so that Washington isn't the only state trying to regulate fertilizers. ========================================================= Comments: Most of you folks on the list have heard about the radiation hormesis effect on plants. This is where the radiation induces shorter plant cell lifetimes [apoptosis effects] and induces quicker cell replacements and faster plant growth. This same effect from radiation or from carcinogenic metals can make plants grow faster-----cell DNA damage-----and cell apoptosis happens from both. This can make plants grow faster and look like a fertilizer effect. But there are dangers to humans in using fertilizers with enhance radiation [potassium] or enhanced trace metals [toxic wastes essentially] Lots of this was endorsed by TVA and Oak Ridge to get rid of wastes-----but also to hide the signatures of coal emissions and nuclear emissions. This type thing shields industry toxic hot spots from detections---------and in general keeps the longevity from rising and makes for higher health care problems and costs. These metals once they get into humans disrupt the immune cells and make for immune dysfunctional diseases. Many essentially integrate in the body----mainly in the bones------where they cause all the effects of aging. These things are the slick tricks of industry on the popluation to hide problems and make great profits. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
