Sulfuryl Fluoride: VIKANE
CAS No. 2699-79-8

July 18, 2005. Teacher forfeits fumigation fight.
By Andrew Edwards. Daily Pilot (California).

 
 

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Daily Pilot (Newport Beach andCosta Mesa, California)

July 28, 2005

Teacher forfeits fumigation fight

Woman who holds preschool classes in her condo says chemical Vikane may harm students.

By Andrew Edwards, Daily Pilot

Rather than continue a battle against her homeowners association, a Newport Beach preschool teacher said Wednesday that she will stop trying to prevent fumigation of the termite-infested condominium where she holds classes.

"I guess I just have to sign and go along with the Vikane," teacher Sherri Turner said.

Vikane is the trade name of the pesticide many fumigators use to kill termites. The wood-eating insects have become a problem in Turner's neighborhood.

Turner, whose Newport Terrace condo overlooks Talbert Regional Park, opposes the use of Vikane out of concern that the gas could be harmful to her young students.

On the other side of the issue, members of the Newport Condominium Assn.'s board are united in their belief that the pesticide Vikane is the only way to eliminate termites in the community.

"It has to be done before the roofs fall down on you," board president Earl Miller said at a meeting held Tuesday night at the Costa Mesa Community Center.

Board members clearly did not want to debate the use of Vikane during a meeting in which people on both sides of the issue frequently argued with raised voices.

Though Turner pushed for using nontoxic methods to clear out the termites, board members said those alternatives would be ineffective.

"Anything we have looked at will not give us anything close [to Vikane]," board member Richard Green said.

Miller described the matter as a "dead issue" and said Turner should take her concerns to the association's attorney.

That attorney, David Cane, has sent Turner multiple letters warning her that her neighborhood association was prepared to seek a court order requiring her to leave her condo during fumigation. Fumigation at her home is scheduled for Aug. 22.

Turner describes herself as an environmentalist and says she believes pesticides are dangerous. She was accompanied at the meeting by fellow condo owner Shirley Blau, who told the board she expects financial difficulties since her tenant plans to move out because of the fumigation plans.

Blau's tenant, Ron Seagondollar, said he suffers from allergies and that he plans to leave his condo because his concerns are amplified by worries about his son's health.

"Anything he touches, his hand just goes back to his mouth," Ron said.

Because of Turner's safety concerns, she plans to install new carpeting and window shutters after fumigation. She also does not want her students in her condo for two weeks after spraying.

"I'm just going to try and pick up the pieces and go on," Turner said.

Turner also said parents have pulled five students out of her class because of the Vikane.

Vikane is the trade name for sulfuryl fluoride and is manufactured by chemical giant Dow AgroSciences. From 1997 through 2001, 32 illnesses or injuries related to sulfuryl fluoride exposure were reported to state authorities, according to a study by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.

 
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