No Spray Coalition Blockades Pesticide Trucks in Prospect Park
Saturday, August 19, 2000

	Between 50 and 100 people gathered last night at the Triumphal arch in Prospect Park, Brooklyn to protest and disseminate information on the spraying of Pyrethroid, a toxic pesticide, throughout the park.  Wearing protective suits and gas masks, several members of the No Spray Coalition entered the park and blockaded the trucks carrying the spray.   Blockaders were successful in delaying the spraying, but after three were arrested and police blocked all entrances to the park, closely patrolling the perimeter of the park, spraying was resumed from about midnight to 5am.  Several Brooklyn and NYPD cops were wearing dust masks, apparently not trusting Rudy Giuliani’s assurances of the safety of these pyrethrins
	Tonight, a more aggressive and widespread spraying is scheduled for not only Prospect Park but SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS,  including the following zip codes:  11215, 11215, 11219, 11220, 11221, 11232.  
	CALL TO ACTION: We must stop the spraying of toxic pesticides in our neighborhoods! 
The No Spray Coalition is organizing another rally tonight, Saturday, August 19, 2000, beginning at 9pm at 7th Avenue and Union St., outside Prospect Park, Brooklyn.  Please join your neighbors to peacefully and non-violently oppose the spraying.  Bring signs, bicycles, protective gear, and video or still cameras if possible.
The health dangers of Anvil 10+10 include:  inhaling Pyrethroid insecticides can cause coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath, runny or stuffy nose, chest pain, or difficulty breathing.  Skin contact can cause a rash, itching, or blisters.  Piperonyl butoxide can cause skin and eye irritation.  All the health effects of this chemical have not been fully researched.  
	Rats fed high doses (1,000 milligrams per kilogram of body weight or mg/kg) of pyrethrins (natural versions of pyrethroids) showed liver damage.  There is also evidence that pyrethroids can harm the thyroid.  Pyrethroids, including sumithrin, have been showed in the lab to disrupt the endocrine system by mimicking the effects of the female sex hormone estrogen.  In men, endocrine disrupters can lower the sperm count, and in women they can cause the growth of abnormal breast cells.  Piperonyl butoxide has been classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a possible human carcinogen.
	The New York City Dept. of Health recommends that all individuals take the following precautions to avoid direct exposure to pesticides and reduce the risk of any reactions to pesticides:
	Some individuals are sensitive to pesticides.  Persons with asthma or other respiratory conditions are especially encouraged to stay inside during spraying since there is a possibility that spraying could worsen those conditions.  Keep windows and doors tightly closed.  Whenever possible, stay indoors during spraying.  Turn fans and air conditioners off.  Remove children’s toys, outdoor equipment and clothes from outdoor areas.  (If toys are left outside. Wash with soap and water before using again.) Wash skin and clothing exposed to pesticides with soap and water.  Washing fruits and vegetables that are exposed to the spray before eating them.  Anyone experiencing adverse reactions to pesticides should call their doctor or the NYC Poison Control Center at (212) POISONS or (212) 764-7667.
	The No Spray Coalition, (which includes members of many different local Green Party groups, Save Organic Standards, Wetlands Action Group, International Preparedness Network, Disabled in Action), in July became the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit filed in Federal court to stop the City from indiscriminately spraying toxic pesticides over people and the natural environment.  It charges the City government with unlawfully discharging toxic chemicals into and over air, land and waters around New York City, threatening critical environmental wildlife habitats and putting the health of residents at far greater risk than the disease the spraying is purported to fight.	 
	FIND OUT MORE:  On this website, see Robert Lederman’s “Guiliani Says, Let the Poison Spray Begin!”, 7/18/00.  See also www.nospray.org.  Call or email the No Spray Coalition, Inc., at (718) 670-7110/ mitchelcohen@mindspring.com, pdolack@gis.net, or afrime2@aol.com