Jul 27, 2010
UC Riverside emeritus professor of plant pathology Jim Sims recently published an op-ed about methyl iodide in the Ventura County Star. In his article, Sims says, "Much like other potent materials that are part of our everyday lives, methyl iodide can be used safely. This compound is the most-researched and most-tightly controlled fumigant yet registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency."
Addressing health concerns, Sims writes: "The chemical is not a human carcinogen. It is a rodent carcinogen. Lois Gold and Bruce Ames, both UC Berkeley researchers, have stated 'high-dose effects in rodent cancer tests ... are not relevant to low-dose human exposures.'
"The studies that claim to show that methyl iodide will cause late-term miscarriages were done using high-dose protocols on rabbits. This effect is not caused by methyl iodide itself, but rather excess iodide that builds up in the body as methyl iodide is broken down."
In April, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation proposed registering methyl iodide for use in California. In June, DPR director Mary Ann Warmerdam testified before a state Senate committee about the proposed registration. A 60-day public comment period ended June 29.
Sims notes he is an author on the patents and the individual who first proposed the use of methyl iodide as a soil fumigant. The patents are owned by UC Regents, managed by UC Riverside and licensed to Arysta LifeScience Corp. of Tokyo.
Addressing health concerns, Sims writes: "The chemical is not a human carcinogen. It is a rodent carcinogen. Lois Gold and Bruce Ames, both UC Berkeley researchers, have stated 'high-dose effects in rodent cancer tests ... are not relevant to low-dose human exposures.'
"The studies that claim to show that methyl iodide will cause late-term miscarriages were done using high-dose protocols on rabbits. This effect is not caused by methyl iodide itself, but rather excess iodide that builds up in the body as methyl iodide is broken down."
In April, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation proposed registering methyl iodide for use in California. In June, DPR director Mary Ann Warmerdam testified before a state Senate committee about the proposed registration. A 60-day public comment period ended June 29.
Sims notes he is an author on the patents and the individual who first proposed the use of methyl iodide as a soil fumigant. The patents are owned by UC Regents, managed by UC Riverside and licensed to Arysta LifeScience Corp. of Tokyo.
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