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Why is the Media Hiding The Truth
About the NYC "Epidemic"and the
Deliberate Misuse of Malathion?

by Robert Lederman
robert.lederman@worldnet.att.net
August 24, 2000

It's easy to understand why the Giuliani administration and the CDC would do everything they could to bury the mass of evidence that has recently surfaced exposing their lies about New York City's so-called encephalitis epidemic. There is now enough solid evidence of illegality, deception and purposeful violation of NY State and Federal laws to justify not only a ban on further spraying but criminal indictments.

What is most disturbing is the fact that with few exceptions the media has refused to write about or broadcast any of this information or to even question the authorities about it. The evidencevidence that has been presented to the media now includes the actual labels from the chemical products used, two taped interviews with the head of the company that the City contracted to do the spraying and a handbook on dangerous chemicals featuring Malathion that the Giuliani administration distributed to hundreds of police precincts, firehouses and EMS vehicles long before the spraying began. This unimpeachable evidence proves beyond any possibility of doubt that the Mayor, the OEM and the CDC have knowingly and consistently lied to the public and the media in every press conference and public statement issued since this crisis began in September.

Below you will find a partial transcript of a new half hour taped conversation with John Sondgeroth (516) 734-5515, the man who was directly in charge of the entire aerial spraying operation from its first day. Below that you will find excerpts from the actual labels of the product used, Malathion FYFANON ULV and below that excerpts from Mayor Giuliani's Chem-Bio Handbook.

These materials are not opinions. They are not theories. They are not the views of those who are opponents of the use of pesticides. These are completely verifiable facts originating directly with the officials involved, the contractor who did the spraying, the manufacturer of the product used and the Mayor's own literature on the chemical.

Here is a very brief summary of the inescapable conclusions one must draw from reviewing these materials.

1. The Malathion that was aerially sprayed from the first day to the last was not in any way diluted. It was an almost pure 96% jell concentrate of Malathion which was aerated by an air compressor right from the manufacturers original canister. Those who received even the slightest droplet of this product on their skin or who inhaled it received a dose of pure Malathion.
2. The manufacturer's instructions as listed on the product's label, Cheminova Malathion FYFANON ULV, were disregarded in virtually every single detail. The four page label, which is available on the NY State Department of Environmental Control website [see below], specifically states that it is not to be sprayed on people, that people should not be allowed access to areas that have been sprayed for at least 12 hours, that it is not to be used near water, that is not to be used so as to contaminate food supplies and that it is not to be stored or used at temperatures of over 77 degrees Fahrenheit. No one who read this label could mistake its message. The Mayor and OEM's claims that this product is completely safe and that no one has any reason to fear being sprayed can only be described as deliberate lies.
3. According to the contractor who supervised all of the aerial spraying the repeated ground spraying that was done from trucks with Anvil and other products was politically motivated and had little if any effect on mosquitoes.
4. The statements that only a minute amount of extremely diluted Malathion was used, which Mr. Hauer and Mayor Giuliani repeatedly described as three ounces per acre, was described by the applicator as being in fact three ounces per City block. That means a minimum of three ounces of 96% pure Malathion was sprayed on each NY City block.
5. Based on these facts it seems highly unlikely that any of what the Mayor. OEM or the CDC has said about this crisis can be taken to be literally true. If they lied about such basic verifiable facts concerning this product how much more likely is it that they lied about things that are much harder to prove? An immediate independent investigation must be undertaken by those with the authority to subpoena all the records and compel all of those involved to testify under oath. If the media continues to hide these facts the only reasonable conclusion that can be drawn is that they are accessories in this criminal activity. I do not intend by this statement to accuse individual reporters of wrongdoing. What I am suggesting is that there exists a widespread editorial policy that these facts are not to be revealed to the public. Draw your own conclusions as to why that is.

Below are excerpts from a transcript of a 10/16/99 phone conversation between Robert Lederman and John Sondgeroth. The entire tape is available to the media for review.] On10/15 I left a message for Mr. Sondgeroth on his answering machine asking him to call me.
While waiting for his call back I downloaded the product labels of Malathion FYFANON ULV manufactured by Chemanova and studied them closely so that I could ask appropriate questions specifically about this product, which has been described by the Mayor and OEM director Jerry Hauer as the product they have used throughout this crisis.
I represented myself as a concerned parent, (which I am) who had questions about the products' safety and application. I believe that Mr. Sondgeroth, like many of the people who work with these toxic chemicals, is selectively ignoring any information that would lead him to fear for his own or other people's safety, and that he is himself a victim of the chemical lobbies' efforts to convince Americans that these dangerous substances are safe.

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Robert Lederman [RL]: "The officials here in NY have made a lot of comments about how it (Malathion) is being diluted very significantly..."

John Sondgeroth [JS] "No, the way this material is used for mosquitoes, it's used directly from the container with no dilution; it's put out of the aircraft at that particular, that's three ounces per acre with no dilution."

RL "So you're saying it's OK if you are getting directly sprayed with it?"

JS "You're not getting sprayed with it...if you're out when the aircraft is flying over you won't even feel any drops; almost the smell is about all that's there...there are no mosquito adulticide products that are used that you have to stay indoors for because they couldn't do it because you can't get people to stay indoors...salt is more toxic than a lot of this stuff that's out there...I am Northfork Helicopters, and what I did in the City was I actually managed all of the aircraft. I took on the task because when the City started this there was no expertise within the OEM about how to manage all of this aerial stuff. So I took on the task of being the aerial coordinator there."

RL "That's a lot of responsibility."

JS "Yes it is. They [OEM] would say what was to be sprayed politically and this and that and I'd make up all the maps and make sure all the pilots got the maps properly and did their proper areas."

RL "The product has a label on it which describes how to use it, and the risks, is that true?"

JS "Every product has a label..the state gets involved too...it gives environmental hazards...there are no expiration dates on these products...Dr. Simon said that at 77 degrees it breaks down into more toxic substances. Well I researched the temperature thing...and I know where it was stored it never got warm...there's nothing anywhere where it will be a problem if it gets too hot..."

RL "So it doesn't say on the label that it's not OK to use it on people or you can't use it on people?"

JS "Oh, yeah, it's labeled for this type of use..."

RL "Not that you would try to but you are allowed to spray this on people?"

JS "Oh yeah that's the only way you would use it, let's face it because mosquitoes are where people are this is the way it's designed to be used."

RL "One of the things the Mayor said was that it's OK for people to go right back in the park afterwards, they don't have to wait or clean down the benches or anything...is that true?"

JS "Oh yes, it's OK for them to be in the park playing and even having a picnic. It's very true, absolutely true. Otherwise this product wouldn't be out there being used. It wouldn't have been certified for this type of use. There is nothing to be concerned about."

RL "They say they are spraying three ounces per acre. How many acres...wouldn't that be one City block?"

JS "Something like that."

RL "So in a sense you could say you are using about three ounces per City block?"

JS "Yes."

RL "In the City they've been telling us this stuff is diluted, but you've made it clear it's not..."

JS "Not from the air it's not."

RL "So you're saying that throughout the whole thing it was never diluted even during the first days of it?"

JS "No, no you don't want to dilute it, it defeats the whole purpose of the proper application of it."

RL "Why do think Mr. Hauer of the OEM keeps saying it's been diluted?"

JS "I know Jerry personally from the whole operation. I don't know how that whole thing transpired there. Sometimes you just say things people want to hear, you know, and these are the facts here as I know them pretty well, and some people say it's diluted but in essence we know, I know, it's not."

RL "But you say you know him personally, you must have spoken with him about the whole spraying procedure."

JS "Jerry Hauer is a very good man in his position as head of the OEM, he can get things done, but Ill tell you...he can't be very well versed in everything and it's hard to get all this advice five or ten minutes before a briefing sometimes..."

RL "But he's been saying that from the first day of the spraying right up until yesterday."

JS "Was he really?"

RL "At the City Council hearing he described four times how it's being diluted...so that's not true right?"

JS "No, no it's not true. Actually the Malathion is 96% pure."

RL "So let's say theoretically, I'm standing in the park and a helicopter passes and even one drop were to reach my skin, basically I'd be getting 96% pure Malathion, right?"

JS "Yes. Sure!."

RL "But that's not anything to be concerned about?"

JS "All your labels have different cautions on it. The skull and crossbones on it, now sometimes they tell you how to handle it, what to wear while you're handling it...it doesn't say anything about wearing gloves...even in its pure out of the can form it's a very safe product...I think NYC is going to be very gun shy about doing an aerial application again because of all the controversies involved in it. But I'll tell you what, they're out there with those trucks with the mist blowers; you go down to those row houses in Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx. They are up against each other. Between the row houses and the backyard you have all the greenery. Now how do you kill mosquitoes by driving down the road when they're in the backyard?"

RL "So it's really just a show of killing mosquitoes?"

JS "Some of that is. Aerially is a very effective way to do it. As far as I'm concerned if you want to go in there and do a job of killing mosquitoes you go in there aerially with Malathion, it's the way to do it. But going up and down the streets you're going to get some but you're not going to get behind those houses and things like that."

RL "I do a lot of fishing, you're allowed to spray this on bays and rivers?"

JS "No you're not."

[The following are verbatim quotes of just a few key sentences from the four page small print label of Fyfanon ULV Malathion. See below for links to photo scans of the actual labels on the NY State Dept. of Environmental Control website.
Note: The ULV stands for Ultra Low Volume not Ultra Low Concentration. This makes the product relatively lightweight, an important feature for application by small aircraft. The label refutes virtually every statement we've been told about this product by the Mayor and OEM. It's also worth noting that one of many side effects of Malathion exposure is encephalitis-RL

"Fyfanon ULV Ultra Low Volume Concentrate Insecticide Active ingredient....Malathion 95% ...inert ingredients .05%. One gallon contains 9.7 lbs. of Malathion"

"Harmful by swallowing, inhalation or skin contact. Avoid breathing spray mist. Avoid contact with skin. Do not contaminate food or feed products"

"Before using read the directions contained in this leaflet for the proper methods and procedures which must be followed to achieve effective insect control and avoid permanent damage to automobiles and other paint finishes".

"This product is toxic to fish. Keep out of lakes, streams, ponds, tidal marshes and estuaries. Do not apply when weather conditions favor drift from areas treated. This pesticide is highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment or to residues remaining on the treated area."

"It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling."

"Storage: Fyfanon ULV should be stored at temperatures not exceeding 25 degrees C or 77 degrees F".

"Do not apply this product in a way that will contact workers or other persons either directly or through drift. Do not enter or allow worker entry into treated areas during the restricted entry interval [RTI] of 12 hours. Personal Protective Equipment {PPI] required for early entry into treated areas that is permitted under the [OSHA] Worker Protection Standard and that involves contact with anything that has been treated such as plants, soil or water is: Coveralls and Chemical resistant gloves such as barrier laminate or Butyl rubber or Nitrile."

FYFANON ULV [This is the brand of Malathion OEM Director Jerry Hauer Testified is being used]
page 1 of label Click Here
page 2 Label Click Here
page 3 label Click Here
page 4 label Click Here
ANVIL LABEL Click Here
SCOURGE LABEL 1 Click Here
SCOURGE LABEL 2 Click Here
SCOURGE LABEL 3 Click Here
CDC Encephalitis webpage Click Here

Tampa Tribune 10/6/97

What is malathion?

By JAN HOLLINGSWORTH

Product name: Fyfanon ULV
Active ingredient: Malathion
Classification: Toxicity Category III, signal word: Caution --Storage precautions: Stable at temperatures under 77 degrees F.
Health hazards (acute and chronic): Rapidly enters the body on contact with all skin surfaces and eyes. Clothing contaminated with material must be removed immediately and all skin must be washed thoroughly. Repeated exposures to such cholinesterase (blood enzyme) inhibitors may cause, without warning, increased susceptibility to doses of any cholinesterase inhibitor.

Work practices: People working with this product for a long period should have frequent blood tests. If the cholinesterase (blood enzyme) level falls below a critical point, no further exposure should be allowed until it has been determined by means of blood tests that the level has returned to normal.

-- Hygienic practices: Before removing gloves, wash them with soap and water. Always wash hands, face and arms with soap and water before smoking, eating or drinking. After work, take off all work clothes and shoes. Shower using soap and water. Wear only clean clothes when leaving the job. Do not wear contaminated clothing. Wash protective clothing and protective equipment with soap and water after each use. First aid: If inhaled - Remove victim to fresh air immediately. If in eyes - Flush with water for at least 15 minutes and get medical attention. If swallowed - Call a physician or poison control center immediately. Induce vomiting by giving 1 or 2 glasses of water and touching back of throat with finger. Do not induce vomiting or give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Source: Cheminova Agro, Material Safety Data Sheet Fyfanon ULV is manufactured by Cheminova (201) 305-6600

Other informative Web Sites!

Citizens for Responsible Alternatives to Malathion
Malathion Medical Research
Malathion - what is it?
Genetic Toxicity of Malathion: A Review
Coalition to End Arial Spraying through Education

The following are verbatim descriptions of just a few passages from the Mayor and OEM's handbook on Malathion.

City of New York Chem-bio Handbook
Rudolph W. Giuliani, Mayor

Page #76. Malathion: Malathion is a commonly used organophosphate insecticide that causes the same biological effects as nerve agents. Malathion itself is relatively non-toxic, but it is quickly metabolized in the body to maloxin, which is the toxic material. This causes effects similar to those caused by nerve agents...Malathion can be absorbed by ingestion or through the skin.

Page # 113. B. Chemical Casualty Treatment 1. Nerve Agents Protect yourself by wearing a mask, gloves and a protective suit until the casualty is decontaminated. Remove casualty from contamination and contamination from casualty. Get the casualty away from the source, such as by moving him upwind or out of a contaminated building. If it is absolutely certain that exposure was to vapor only, remove outer clothing. If there is a possibility of liquid contamination, all clothing must be removed and the casualty must be showered or washed with soap and water, dilute hypochloride or water.
Malathion Decontamination consists of moving the patient to fresh air, removing all of his clothing and washing him thoroughly with soap and water. The responder must insure his own safety by donning appropriate protective apparel before handling the patient.

Page #119 Malathion: The antidotes are atropine and an oxime. The anticonvulsant diazepam should be used if convulsions are present. The initial dose of atropine should be 2 to 4 mg, depending on the severity of the signs and symptoms. The initial dose should be given IM if the casualty is having severe breathing difficulty or is apneic. Once the hypoxic is corrected, 2 mg of atropine should be given intravenously at 2 mg every 5 to 10 minutes until breathing has improved or secretions have lessened. The recommended dose for children is 0.05 mg/kg. Page #154 On Scene Procedures Higher air temperatures may cause the evaporation of aerosol particles, decreasing their size and increasing the chance they will reach the lungs. The temperature on the ground either increases the or decreases evaporation rates, thereby increasing or decreasing the duration of contamination.

Page #156 Chemical Effects: Chemical agents may persist longer in an urban environment than in an open environment since building materials are often porus and readily absorb agents, which will slowly be released later....In ordinary buildings, protection can be improved by closing doors and windows, turning off ventilation systems and sealing all windows and cracks with tape.

Page #70 Chem-Nerve Agent Effects: Malathion Like nerve agents, Malathion inhibits cholinesterase to cause biological effects. What these effects are depends on the route and amount of exposure....Exposure to vapor or aerosol may initially cause topical effects in the eyes (miosis, discomfort, difficulty with vision), nose (rhinorrhea), and moth and airways (salivation, bronchoconstriction, bronchosecretions). By any route, the signs and symptoms resemble those caused by nerve agent exposure.

Page #72 1.3 Nerve Agent Properties: Nerve agents are chemicals that disrupt the mechanism by which nerves communicate with the organs they stimulate....Most people who have been in contact with or used these agents without realizing that they do the same thing to humans that nerve agents do....they do this by blocking the activity of an enzyme, acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is released by a nerve to stimulate the muscles or glands, causing hyperactivity. This over stimulation causes the signs and symptoms of nerve agent poisoning.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For more information or to interview the authors, call Media Relations Manager Joe Dougherty at 703-683-3700, ext. 236, or via e-mail by clicking here.

The Oravax contract with the US Army
Dr. Monath background info
Press release about Clinton, Monath, Hauer, Lederberg meeting

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General West Nile info sites

Click Here
NYC Dept of Health West Nile Page
Click Here
Click Here
Encephalitis site-causes other than mosquitoes
Vaccine info websites
Click Here
Click Here

To a Directory of Mr.Lederman's Essays

Important Note:
Mr. Lederman has explained that his articles posted here are not to be taken as official statements by the No-Spray Coalition of which he is a member or of the "No-Spray" lawsuit in which he is a plaintiff.

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