Sevin degrades completely in about a month and the products of this decomposition are not poisonous. You keep citing UK this and EU that but I am not all that interested in regulations in the UK other than as a curiosity. They really have no bearing on American law. There are a lot of bans and restrictions on EU citizens that do not apply to Americans. I think you need to do a little more homework, particularly looking outside the formal tests in the US. You appear to dismiss the research done by other governments out of hand as a 'curiosity' which implies they have no real world value. I suppose this is a viable position if you believe the US rules and everyone else drools, but of not then... The US is one of the most capitalist nations in the world and as such is more influenced by corporate lobbies than most other nations. (No, I am not some Marxist, in fact I lean more toward libertarianism (particularly civil libertarianism) as a political philosophy than any other). I simply recognize the undue influence corporations have on US policy makers than they do in other nations. Sevin is flat out illegal in many countries, but available for you and I in the US to spray on our food. MMMMM... Sevin seasoning. It's a known human carcinogen, but the EPA/USDA say it is OK if used as directed. Trouble is every time the under funded and under staffed USDA/EPA test they find produce with much higher than approved pesticide residue. They simply do not test much due to funding issues. Sevin is also known to be a cholinesterase inhibitor which means it screws with insect, mammalian and human nervous systems. I would like to link to a study done by Cornell which starts off poo-pooing concerns over the use of Sevin, but frankly admits it causes reproductive issues in dogs Here is the quote: "We do know that carbaryl is quite toxic to honey bees, certain beneficial insects such as lady beetles, and parasitic wasps and bees, certain species of aquatic insects, and some forms of shellfish such as shrimp and crabs. Care must be taken when using carbaryl in areas where these organisms exist." Extensive evidence indicates that carbaryl does not cause cancer or genetic changes in animals(in spite of it being listed as a carcinogen and reproductive disorder causing chemical). Carbaryl has also been extensively tested for its effect on reproduction and the occurrence of birth effects (we call this teratogenic potential). Experiments have been conducted on various strains of rats and mice, and on hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs, sheep, and monkeys. Adverse effects have occurred only in dogs." Hmmm.. so is the average homeowner/gardener more likely to have a sheep as a pet or a dog? Having lost a golden retriever at the age of seven to a pesticide company using a product known to cause tumorous cancers in dogs I don't just look at the estimated human toxic effects (and in the US they are all estimated or use applicators), I look at the effects to other living things I have on my property from good bugs, to pets to kids. I have found the US EPA/USDA to list things as perfectly safe to humans that other countries consider *known* to mess up humans and have thus banned. While the US studies are damning enough, other nations with less corporate influence are reaching other conclusions. Canada found that Sevin: It causes birth defects in mammals, especially dogs. It worsens the condition of people with hypertension and people on anti-depressant drugs. It impairs the function of the pituitary gland, the thyroid gland, and the reproductive system. It causes hyperactivity and learning disabilities in mammals. It could increase the chance of heart attack in people with weak hearts. The main break-down product, nitrosocarbaryl, which is easily created in the human gut, is a potent cancer-causing agent.(this contradicts your information that says:"Sevin degrades completely in about a month and the products of this decomposition are not poisonous.") (note: I am quoting a Canadian government study) It causes irreversible chromosomal damage to human DNA (the genes in our cells). Assuming one is the type to believe the US regulatory agencies are the best in the world, there are plenty of reasons to avoid Sevin. Assuming one understands how extensively the US government and regulatory agencies are influenced by corporate contributions one might wish to take a look at the determinations other nations such as Canada and various European nations have reached. Like I said, in many nations outside the US Sevin is flat out banned. In the US it is considered safe to spray on food. Go figure. Ultimately we will all do as we wish. My only hope is we will all do so with sound information at our disposal so we can make reasonable, educated, informed decisions.

How fascinating, Rosalee; I thoroughly enjoyed reading this account of Mr. Shapiro. My next question is directed to Larry_Gene? So, how many pitchers of beer have you won over the years? Hee Hee. Susan

I agree with Violet. I too, am a health professional and there are more people(especially young people) developing more cancer and chonic diseases. And there are plenty of studies out there that show environmental links. Also studies done on the nutrient content of food shows that during the last 50 years, our veggies and fruit have become less nutrient packed. The studies indicate that this is due to the fact that the N_P_K are being returned to the soil in adequate amounts by chemical fertilizers, just not all the micro nutrients that we need for healthy bodies(the plants do not necessarily need them to grow). We need more types of nutrients to grow than plants. It is true that the nutrients in chemical fertilizers are just as effective as those in organics. Its just that it is not complete. In organic gardening, before any nutrient in the soil is used by the plant, it must be available in a form the plant can absorb. This is done by bacterial action. The organic nutrients are first used by microscopic organisms and the waste that is produced feeds our plants. Adding chemicals kills not only earthworms, it kills the microorganisms that allow us to garden organically. This is how "dead soil" develops. I am sure that an occasional use of chemicals is not going to destroy your soil, but my thinking is why at all if you are going organic. I know that there are many organic gardeners out there that insist that only compost is needed to garden organically, and I am sure plants grow just fine with that. But compost is a soil amendment, not a fertilizer. Everytime I harvest vegetables or fruits from my raised beds,I add a compost and a tiny bit of alfafa meal(nitrogen), rock phosphate(Phosphorous) and Kelp meal(potassium and trace elements). I've been doing this for quite a few years now and my yields improved, my plants are larger, and I have no trouble with diseases or insects. I learned from not only what I have read, but what I do, that healthy soil and growing organically makes a difference. Hope some of this information helps.

The Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research cordially invites you (and your friends, family, and coworkers!) to participate in the 2015 Reptile and Amphibian Public Opinion Survey. This survey is designed to gauge the perspectives of not only reptile and amphibian enthusiasts, but those who are “not as fond” of these animals as well. It is GLOBAL in scope and ALL AGES are encouraged to participate. All opinions are important to record! The survey should take less than 30 minutes and can be found (along with the report from our 2013 Herper Survey) on SWCHR’s web site at http://southwesternherp.com/survey.html. The report on the results from the current survey will also be made available to you when it is complete. The survey will be open for participation through November 30th, so please share this invitation with everyone you know to help us paint a better picture of current popular attitudes toward reptiles and amphibians! SWCHR is a Texas non-profit association governed by a Board of Directors and is subject to the tax-exempt provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. SWCHR is dedicated to promoting the education of the Association's members and the general public relating to the natural history, biology, taxonomy, conservation and preservation needs, field studies, and captive propagation of the herpetofauna indigenous to the six states of the American Southwest. Membership is open to all persons having an interest in the herpetology of the American Southwest.