But the Town Hall discussion of the laboratory results earlier this month did not explore how the pesticide, which is applied as an oily solution to the heads and necks of deer as they feed at a 4-poster station, got into the neck meat and just what the results will mean for future testing as the three-year program progresses.

Susan Walker, the Cornell scientist studying the impacts of the 4-posters on deer, answered, via email, a few questions from the Reporter about the test data and its implications.

What are the ways that detectable permethrin could have gotten into the neck meat?

“Routes of entry can be transdermal (through the hide, from topical application from rollers and/or other sources such as landscape application), through wounds in the hide (also from topical application), from contamination of sample during collection and from contamination of sample in the analytical lab. Transdermal and contamination in the field seem most likely, followed by contamination in the lab. The sample protocol used takes precautions to avoid cross-contamination of the samples. However, working in field settings rather than controlled laboratory settings makes it difficult to be 100 percent certain cross-contamination does not occur. Thinking from a realistic mind-set, sampling done in the field more closely reflects the real setting in which a hunter field dresses his/her animal. Dan Gilrein and I suspect transdermal to be the main source in this case.”

Do you have pieces of the deer hide and can they be tested to see if permethrin passed through the skin to the muscle below?

“Yes, I still have the hide/skin samples from SI15. At this time I do not know what value this type of analysis would have because it would indicate presence of permethrin. The coat swabs already determined the presence of permethrin on the coat. Whether the analysts at the Animal Health Diagnostic Center can isolate specifically what is present in skin cells, I do not know. Nor do I know if an analyst sees any value in doing so. I am addressing various procedural and analytical questions that have arisen and I plan to discuss ideas such as this with the analyst.”

Who is considered the permethrin expert on this project? Is there someone from the DEC or Cornell that can speak authoritatively about the chemical and how it moves through or builds in animal tissues?

“We have several, depending on the question(s).

“Jim Leach (NYS Department of Health) addresses health issues and is one to whom I would address animal- and human-related questions. Vinny Palmer (DEC, Pesticide Control Specialist III) can address state registration and regulatory issues, and can also speak to some environmental issues. Dan Gilrein (Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, entomologist) can answer questions related to use and pest management. Dan Gilrein indicated that for topics or questions that aren't covered by the above we can find someone who can speak to it, just as we have for groundwater questions, etc.”

Will testing protocols change in light of the October results? If so, how?

“We have discussed and reviewed field sampling protocol to address possible field contamination, and have talked about a couple of ideas (such as removing hair prior to skin removal and muscle exposure or removing the entire hide where acceptable, prior to collecting the sample). All decisions for the 2009/2010 sampling efforts will be discussed among Cornell, DEC, DOH and laboratory analysts. We also will ensure the analytical lab uses and analyzes material from center of sample and not outside in case of surface contamination. Also related to the topic, the lab's quality assurance documents are being reviewed by DEC and DOH. This is not field protocol-related, but does get at the question of handling in the lab as a source of contamination and test methods as a source of error.”

Add your comments below:

Your name:

Your email:

Subject:


Comments:



Enter text seen above:

3 comments found

Permethrin Contamination : 12/20/2008
I've know Bill Smith for over 30 years and I have to say that he actually isn't crazy at all. He's very intelligent,researches his facts and only then speaks to the issue. His record is 1000% so he obviously is doing something right. Seriously, he first cares deeply for the island and people, many of who have spent lots of time and energy trying to discredit him which because he is so smart and well read is a big mistake. Don't get me wrong he isn't perfect,he should be more diplomatic I think, but he has done much more then anyone out here for our environment, and that all with unsurmountable forces working against him at times. Also don't mistake 'craziness' with his passion. He grew up here and traveled the world too.If there is one thing he has zero tolerance for it is hypocrisy. The second is corruption and this 4 Poster thing reeks of both! We are lucky to have him here as an informed voice. Think of all that he has done in success for us all. He certainly was and is right about these 4 Posters too. They are bad news and should be stopped. If I were a better, I'd take his side on this. He'll stop them and make sure the truth gets out. Stop being so closed minded about the guy and start listening. You will learn alot. I did when he closed those reactors at Brookhaven.

---

Permethrin in Deer : 12/18/2008
You know he may be a little crazy, but damn it Bill Smith is usually right on the mark about things and with these deer and this pesticide he was right again. Instead of listening to a bunch of city people who call themselves islanders we should have listened to him more. These deer now have this stuff in them just as he said they would. I'm sure not eating them until they stop polluting the poor things

---

Permethrin : 12/18/2008
This is a clear case of the fox guarding the hen house. As Bill Smith said years ago this should have ever been allowed to move forward. Now that we know he was right about the contamination it must be stopped

---