http://www.dailypilot.com/education/story/19889p-28082c.html
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.