Westside noxious odor study funded
http://kauaiworld.com/articles/2008/11/04/news/kauai_news/doc490ffd826c5...

Waimea Canyon Middle School has been the site of numerous incidents where a noxious odor has left students and teachers ill. Funding has just been released by Gov. Linda Lingle to pay for a study as to the source of the odor. File photo by Sheadon Ringor/The Garden Island
Pesticide residues, odiferous compounds near school to be assessed
By Nathan Eagle - The Garden Island
Published: Tuesday, November 4, 2008 1:14 AM HST
Funding was recently released for a study to determine the source of noxious odors that have forced Westside students and faculty in at least four incidents over the past two years to undergo emergency treatment for a sudden onset of flu-like symptoms.

Community members have pointed the finger at pesticide sprayings by GMO-giant Syngenta Seeds, which leases test fields near Waimea Canyon Middle School. But company officials have repeatedly denied the claims, blaming in some instances wild spider flower also known as stinkweed. Authorities have been unable to conclusively determine the cause of the illnesses.

The study’s start date has not been set, but Gov. Linda Lingle on Oct. 17 authorized the release of $100,000 from the Pesticides Revolving Fund to contract services:

∫ To design and carry out a study to determine pesticide residues in the ambient air at Waimea Canyon Middle School from November through February.

∫ To develop a risk communication strategy to identify hazards associated with levels of the chemicals found, if any.

∫ To participate in technical and community meetings to explain study protocols and results.

The Department of Agriculture’s Pesticides Program is providing project oversight for the state.

“Data that will enable the assessment of acute and chronic risks of chemical exposure at Waimea Canyon School is critical to the success of this study,” Pesticides Program Manager Robert Boesch said in an e-mail.

In addition, the Kaua‘i County Council on Oct. 8 unanimously approved an ordinance appropriating $50,000 to characterize odiferous compounds that are not pesticides. The release of the county money from the general fund was contingent on the state’s release.

Council members said yesterday that the project sprung from the concerns raised by the Westside community, students and teachers.

The legislative leaders said the state’s decision to release the funding is significant, and surprising, given the economic downturn.

“The release of funds came totally unexpected since the governor has been very selective on releasing funds recently due to the economic slump,” Councilwoman Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho said.

Council Chair Jay Furfaro said he was “pleasantly surprised” and hopes the study will bring some understanding to the community.

“Public health is of the highest priority,” he said.

Councilman Mel Rapozo, who took the lead to initiate the project, said he is grateful for the response from the state, county Office of Economic Development and those who will be overseeing the $50,000 grant to hire the University of Hawai‘i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Bill Spitz, the county agriculture specialist, is overseeing the project for the county.

An Oct. 30 meeting to determine the study design was postponed, a Department of Agriculture spokeswoman said yesterday. A start date hinges on that meeting to set the scope of the project.

• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neaglekauaipubco.com">neaglekauaipubco.com