WELCOME TO CRAM
CRAM was started by a group of  families and individuals who were highly concerned about the wide-spread application of the organophosphate pesticide malathion over the Tampa, Florida area.  We are also concerned with the blatant misinformation being given by the Florida Dept of Agriculture (and now New York officials) on the true risks of malathion.  Hundreds of hours of investigation through peer reviewed medical journals was conducted to acquire the information on the web site.   The general consensus of people who study the toxicity of malathion is that malathion is in fact a serious public health and environmental health threat even at the levels currently being applied over residential areas.  Details of this research can be seen in our Medical Research Section which can be accessed in the index column at left.

ATTENTION NEW YORK:
It appears that you are being told the same mis-information we were given when Tampa, Florida was sprayed.  Your best strategy is to email the medical research links on this site to all local television, radio and newsprint media.  The more emails they receive the more chance of having the real health effects of malathion published.

NEW YORK PARADOX IS REASON FOR CONCERN
Of great concern regarding New York's use of  malathion, relates to the use of this pesticide to reduce the spread of viruses such as encephalitis.  As physicians and researchers have stated - encephalitis is only a risk to individuals who currently have a weak functioning immune system.  This can include the elderly, sick and very young.  However, a paradox comes into play since the widespread use of malathion (and many other pesticides) has the shown the ability to weaken human immune system function.   Since it is our immune system which protects each of us from contracting encephalitis after being bitten by an encephalitis carrying mosquito, the use of malathion can potentially create even further outbreaks of encephalitis by creating greater numbers of people whose immune systems are now below the threshold necessary to protect against encephalitis.  In fact, many scientists firmly believe that the increased incidence of immune related diseases being seen today is a direct result of our reliance on many of these newly discovered immuno-toxic compounds.  Also of significant concern, and one which the public should become fully aware,  is the fact that manufacturers of these pesticides and chemicals are not currently required to perform detailed testing of their chemical products for immune system effects (i.e. lowering of white blood counts, impairment of communication between immune system cells, alterations in bacteria and viral infection rates after various chemical exposure levels).  The bottom line is that although malathion or other pesticides may provide a so-called short term benefit, the long term consequences are far more detrimental to society.

THE MALATHION HEALTH RESEARCH PAGE IS AT -  www.chem-tox.com