by Betty Barton

———
—==

Dr. Frank Dost believes "policy
decisions should be made on
knowledge, rather than on
mythology." Dost is an expert in
pesticide/herbicide toxicology for
forestry and agriculture from
Oregon State University. He spoke
to Ministry of Forests employees
in Terrace last week as part of a
regional tour from Burns Lake to
Prince Rupert.

Forestry spokesman Bob Wilson
explained that Dr. Dost was in the
area to speak to a licensee group,
Kitsumkalum Band, Ministry staff
and the Nisga’a Tribal Council
about the effects of herbicides,
Wilson added, "He’s (Dr. Dost)
not an advocate: of herbicide use,

‘but he’s knowledgeable about their

effects and he’s a good speaker."
Dr. Dost was speaking to the
Nisga’a Tribal Council in response
to concerns over herbicide
spraying in the Bell-Irving area of
the region. Wilson explained, "We
want to allay their fears." Dost

Said, "If it’s a cultural issue where

they’re concerned about the .
sanctity of the land, AL can’t’ déal
with it. If it's a health/toxicology
issue, I do have answers to
concerns about the effects of
herbicides on the waters, the fish
and vegetation for their traditional.
medicines. I examine the whole
_ Picture so that I can make

“Repap is completely committed fo being a an n outstanding on line.

Herbicides: separating
_ knowledge from myths ©

judgements,"

Dost explained that herbicides for
forestry use are minute compared
to herbicides for agriculture. The
substance in. question is called
GLYPHOSATE and it is found in
"Vision" and "Round-up"
herbicides. Dost says glyphosate
does not have long-term effects, It
doesn’t accumulate; it’s water
soluble; it doesn’t magnify and it’s
broken down by micro-organisms.

Dost went on to say that it doesn’t.

matter if it’s used continually or
just occasionally.

Glyphosate is added to a "surfac-
fant" io make up the herbicide. A
surfactant is an inert material
which spreads water droplets. It
has the same irritant factor as
dishwashing liquid or baby shamp-

It does not readily absorb
across the skin.

Dost went on to explain the
"Dose Response Relationship" - as

you increase the dose, you increase -

the response. He said this is the
basis of everything, But concern-
ing effects of the herbicides on
wildlife, he says it’s not an issue.

Unless the wildlife can’t move.

The response depends entirely on
habitat modification. He said,
"Deer don’t care. They even like
dead leaves and potato chips!"
Dost discussed the validity of
scientific evidence. He said the
stakes are too high for misinforma-
tion or error. Lab tests are so

lightly regulated as a result of the
Monsanto company falsifying data
in their labs a few years ago. He |
explained that what is in conflict is -
not scientific evidence, but how it
is interpreted. "I’m troubled by
people who deliberately misin-
form."

Back to glyphasate, it contains 3 -
carbon atoms; Formaldahyde
results. "It is an ubiquitous natural
product and is also produced in
any combustion reaction. The
amount of formaldahyde in glypha-
sate is a non-issue’,

Dost noted that requirements for
putting cosmetics on the market
are less than for pesticides or
herbicides. Insect repellents have
not been as regulated as pesticides.
Thus Ril, recently banned from
insect repellents, got through all
these years. When DDT first came
out, no extensive studies were
done. It was virtually certain to go
through the skin.

Herbicides, now closely regul-
ated, are not specific to mammals,
but are specific to certain plants. In
a non-susceptible plant, there is an
internal system de-toxifying it.
Timing is also a factor, added
Dost. The season of spraying
affects conifers particularly. When
asked a botany question, Dost
replied, "My only interest in plants
and herbicides is the‘effect on the
animal that might be! eating ‘it or
otherwise affected by | it."

DR. FRANK DOST, TOXICOLOGIST spoke recently in Terrace
about the effects of herbicides on mammals. “I do have answers
- to.concems about ihe effects of herbicides on the waters, the fish
and vegetation."

a ob

In 1989/90 Repap's Skeena
Cellulose pulp mill on Watson Island
will invest more than $96 million on
mill improvements to meet today's
environmental and health stan-
dards. :

@ Asbestos materials such as in-
sulation and wall cladding are being §
identified and removed.

@ PCB-containing equipment is be- j
ing moved to the safe new. on-site
containment facility. .

@ Repap has invested almost $2
million to implement improved §
methods to achieve a dioxin-free
pulp-making process,

@ No. 5 Recovery Boiler Enhance- #

ment, a $35 million project, will |
significantly lower dust and odour
emissions.

@ During the fall of 1990, a new
$59 million primary and secondary j
effluent treatment facility will come

corporate citizen in all the communities in which it operates.
Our objective is to keep the environmental impact of our
activities to an absolute minimum. It’s part of our responsibility
to the future. ” |

B SKEENA CELLULOSE INC.
Skeena Pulp ( Operations

Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Canada. VéJ 382

Telaphone (604) 627-7800

George Petty,
Chairman of the Board,
Repap

CANADA
AWARDS FOR
BUSINESS

“EXCELLENCE
Repap - Recipient of the Gold Medal-for Entrepreneurship

— i ae