1. Poisoning For Profit Presented By: Theresa S. Wivinus

2. Introduction During the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries, Central America’s dense forests and pristine coastal regions began to be transformed by the introduction of corporate farming and production of cotton, sugar, cattle, bananas, and other food items. During the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries, Central America’s dense forests and pristine coastal regions began to be transformed by the introduction of corporate farming and production of cotton, sugar, cattle, bananas, and other food items. Today, much of the regions natural environment is gone and all that remains are dusty and eroded agricultural fields. Today, much of the regions natural environment is gone and all that remains are dusty and eroded agricultural fields. Poor seasonal workers (once farmers) make up the majority of the populations who are continually being over worked and underpaid. Poor seasonal workers (once farmers) make up the majority of the populations who are continually being over worked and underpaid. Pesticides are the symbol of “the worst toxic threat to the environment and the people of Central America.” Pesticides are the symbol of “the worst toxic threat to the environment and the people of Central America.”

3. The Capitalization of the Pacific Coastal Plains Following World War II, International capital and local oligarchs recognized the profit potential for capitalist agriculture in the coastal plains of Central America. Following World War II, International capital and local oligarchs recognized the profit potential for capitalist agriculture in the coastal plains of Central America. The transformation of the land began with the building of large highways and eradication programs aimed at the disease-carrying Anopheles mosquito which lead to large-scale deforestation and conversion to pasture and cropland. The transformation of the land began with the building of large highways and eradication programs aimed at the disease-carrying Anopheles mosquito which lead to large-scale deforestation and conversion to pasture and cropland. Caused mass extinction and endangerment of local plant and animal life, a process that took less then 13 years to complete. Caused mass extinction and endangerment of local plant and animal life, a process that took less then 13 years to complete.

4. This caused a transformation in old land-farmer relationships and many independent peasant families were evicted from their lands often through military force. This caused a transformation in old land-farmer relationships and many independent peasant families were evicted from their lands often through military force. Capital cotton production increased by 400% between 1952 and 1967 while peasant farming practices dropped by over 50% Capital cotton production increased by 400% between 1952 and 1967 while peasant farming practices dropped by over 50% By the 1980s most cotton production throughout the region was controlled by as few as 15 families and owned as high as 80.3% of the total arable land. By the 1980s most cotton production throughout the region was controlled by as few as 15 families and owned as high as 80.3% of the total arable land. In 1954, a Salvadoran government study recommended that 50% of the national area under subsistence cultivation be returned to forest…the report was ignored. In 1954, a Salvadoran government study recommended that 50% of the national area under subsistence cultivation be returned to forest…the report was ignored.

5. Due to the lack of land conservation efforts, by the 1980s only 2% of the original canopy along the Pacific coast remained. Due to the lack of land conservation efforts, by the 1980s only 2% of the original canopy along the Pacific coast remained. Even more land was deforested and converted into cropland when the U.S. market blocked the importation of Cuban sugar and production was shifted to other parts of Central America. Even more land was deforested and converted into cropland when the U.S. market blocked the importation of Cuban sugar and production was shifted to other parts of Central America. Due to the overuse of the land it is estimated that 16 to 20 tons of topsoil were being washed and blown from the cotton fields each year resulting in mass floods and extreme drought due to the clogging and sedimentation of waterways. Due to the overuse of the land it is estimated that 16 to 20 tons of topsoil were being washed and blown from the cotton fields each year resulting in mass floods and extreme drought due to the clogging and sedimentation of waterways.

6. The Pesticide Treadmill The most ecologically destructive practice involved the abuse of pesticides. The most ecologically destructive practice involved the abuse of pesticides. Pesticides helped boost yields and helped create the appropriate ecological conditions for the production of capitalist cotton monoculture. Pesticides helped boost yields and helped create the appropriate ecological conditions for the production of capitalist cotton monoculture. Unfortunately in the 1960s traditional cotton pests began to develop resistance to the pesticides and growers began to look for stronger and more lethal forms to put an end to the increasing pest populations. Unfortunately in the 1960s traditional cotton pests began to develop resistance to the pesticides and growers began to look for stronger and more lethal forms to put an end to the increasing pest populations. In many cases pest control expenditures reached roughly 50% of the total production costs. In many cases pest control expenditures reached roughly 50% of the total production costs.

7. Many of the capitalist growers switched production to other crops when cotton pests could no longer be controlled such as corn and sugars which caused the stagnation of production of such goods by local peasant farmers forcing them into even harsher forms of poverty. Many of the capitalist growers switched production to other crops when cotton pests could no longer be controlled such as corn and sugars which caused the stagnation of production of such goods by local peasant farmers forcing them into even harsher forms of poverty. Also with the decline of the cotton industry many peasant farmers who looked to them as a means of employment once again were forced off the land and left without a means to support themselves. Also with the decline of the cotton industry many peasant farmers who looked to them as a means of employment once again were forced off the land and left without a means to support themselves. In areas where pesticide use increased the number of deaths of workers also increased as more lethal pesticides were developed, many of which are banned in the U.S. but are exported by the U.S. to Central America. In areas where pesticide use increased the number of deaths of workers also increased as more lethal pesticides were developed, many of which are banned in the U.S. but are exported by the U.S. to Central America.

8. Overall, some 27,300 metric tons of pesticides were consumed in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras in 1974 alone (about 4.5 pounds of poison for every person). Overall, some 27,300 metric tons of pesticides were consumed in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras in 1974 alone (about 4.5 pounds of poison for every person). These practices were highly damaging to the environment and local people, however the were viewed as extremely beneficial to the chemical producers of the pesticides who also controlled much of the seed market. These practices were highly damaging to the environment and local people, however the were viewed as extremely beneficial to the chemical producers of the pesticides who also controlled much of the seed market. However, it was believed that the “success” of such dangerous practices would not last once it was realized that agricultural “users” eventually “die” of a pesticide “overdose” and go bankrupt, and the overall market for the “pushers” of chemical commodities may be significantly reduced. However, it was believed that the “success” of such dangerous practices would not last once it was realized that agricultural “users” eventually “die” of a pesticide “overdose” and go bankrupt, and the overall market for the “pushers” of chemical commodities may be significantly reduced.

9. The Health Costs to Workers Between 1971 and 1976 in El Salvador and Guatemala some 19,000 poisonings were reported, however it is believed that the real figures are much higher due to the numerous cases that go unreported each year…around 73,230 cases of pesticide poisonings actually occurred in Central America during the 1970s. Between 1971 and 1976 in El Salvador and Guatemala some 19,000 poisonings were reported, however it is believed that the real figures are much higher due to the numerous cases that go unreported each year…around 73,230 cases of pesticide poisonings actually occurred in Central America during the 1970s. Many growers maintain their own clinics and victims often do not go to hospitals due to a lack of money, a lack of knowledge about their illness, and/or because they are afraid they will lose their jobs and income. Others simply do not trust the clinics run by growers. Many growers maintain their own clinics and victims often do not go to hospitals due to a lack of money, a lack of knowledge about their illness, and/or because they are afraid they will lose their jobs and income. Others simply do not trust the clinics run by growers.

10. Due to extreme poverty levels, workers are often forced to work long hours exposed to these dangerous chemicals for “slave wages” without protective devises such as boots, cloves, and masks. It is not uncommon to see workers mixing the pesticides with their bare hands. Due to extreme poverty levels, workers are often forced to work long hours exposed to these dangerous chemicals for “slave wages” without protective devises such as boots, cloves, and masks. It is not uncommon to see workers mixing the pesticides with their bare hands. Throughout most of the region there are not any protective laws for workers with regard to pesticide exposure and other work conditions. Throughout most of the region there are not any protective laws for workers with regard to pesticide exposure and other work conditions. To make matters worse, many of the worker live in mud- floored wooden shacks within meters of and sometimes directly in the middle of the fields they are working in (this is true for some 80% of those working along the cotton belt). To make matters worse, many of the worker live in mud- floored wooden shacks within meters of and sometimes directly in the middle of the fields they are working in (this is true for some 80% of those working along the cotton belt).

11. Those who live among the fields are not only exposed during their long work days, but they often rely on the irrigation systems for drinking, bathing, washing clothes, and cooking, the water in which is highly contaminated with the pesticides as well. Those who live among the fields are not only exposed during their long work days, but they often rely on the irrigation systems for drinking, bathing, washing clothes, and cooking, the water in which is highly contaminated with the pesticides as well. Also workers often go unnoticed by crop-dusters which both unintentionally and intentionally dump large amounts of pesticides on workers. Some have even been known to use workers as human targets for dumping their loads. Also workers often go unnoticed by crop-dusters which both unintentionally and intentionally dump large amounts of pesticides on workers. Some have even been known to use workers as human targets for dumping their loads. Today, the 700,000 people living in Central America’s cotton region have more DOT in their body fat than any other population of human beings in the world, some levels 50 to 200 times beyond acceptable WHO standards. Today, the 700,000 people living in Central America’s cotton region have more DOT in their body fat than any other population of human beings in the world, some levels 50 to 200 times beyond acceptable WHO standards.

12. The Health Costs to Communities One of the major ecological concerns with cotton production and the pesticide treadmill is the new outbreak of Malaria. One of the major ecological concerns with cotton production and the pesticide treadmill is the new outbreak of Malaria. By 1976: By 1976: El Salvador ~ 83,000 cases El Salvador ~ 83,000 cases Honduras ~ 48,000 cases Honduras ~ 48,000 cases Nicaragua ~ 26,200 cases Nicaragua ~ 26,200 cases In 1977, for every 2lbs of insecticide added to the Central American environment, roughly 100 new cases of Malaria would result. In 1981 it was believed that these numbers had increased fourfold. In 1977, for every 2lbs of insecticide added to the Central American environment, roughly 100 new cases of Malaria would result. In 1981 it was believed that these numbers had increased fourfold. Today, 17 million people live in the Malaria zones of Central America and roughly 200,000 of them fall victim to the disease each year. Today, 17 million people live in the Malaria zones of Central America and roughly 200,000 of them fall victim to the disease each year.

13. The Ecological Cost Of Cotton Long term exposure and use of pesticides has led to contamination of the land surface, water table, and food chain. Long term exposure and use of pesticides has led to contamination of the land surface, water table, and food chain. This is partly due to the fact that some 50 to 70% of the insecticide applied by aircraft under normal conditions never reaches the target crop. This is partly due to the fact that some 50 to 70% of the insecticide applied by aircraft under normal conditions never reaches the target crop. Some pesticides had drifted as far away as the Upper Great Lakes (MN for example) and Canada. Some pesticides had drifted as far away as the Upper Great Lakes (MN for example) and Canada.

14. These pesticides have also caused the endangerment of animals that are native to the United States by fly South for the winter. It has also devastated local sea-life leading to massive fish kills and have decimated the Salvadoran edible clams, greatly effecting their economy. These pesticides have also caused the endangerment of animals that are native to the United States by fly South for the winter. It has also devastated local sea-life leading to massive fish kills and have decimated the Salvadoran edible clams, greatly effecting their economy. These pesticides are not only hurting the people of Central America, often times products grown with them are exported to the United States for our consumption. Levels of pesticides in beef have been reported as high as 90% times than that allowed by our standards (roughly 14% of contaminated meat passes into the U.S and an even smaller amount is tested). These pesticides are not only hurting the people of Central America, often times products grown with them are exported to the United States for our consumption. Levels of pesticides in beef have been reported as high as 90% times than that allowed by our standards (roughly 14% of contaminated meat passes into the U.S and an even smaller amount is tested). By the time the contaminated meat has been discovered much of it has already been absorbed into the U.S market and consumed. By the time the contaminated meat has been discovered much of it has already been absorbed into the U.S market and consumed.

15. Conclusion Oligarchs and cotton growers continue to unload the social and ecological costs of agricultural production through severe worker and community health hazards, livestock and crop contamination, wildlife depletion, and ecological pollution. Oligarchs and cotton growers continue to unload the social and ecological costs of agricultural production through severe worker and community health hazards, livestock and crop contamination, wildlife depletion, and ecological pollution. The negative costs continue to outweigh the positive (90% of Costa Rica’s growers have gone bankrupt since the mid 1980s) deeming cotton as no longer economically viable to produce. The negative costs continue to outweigh the positive (90% of Costa Rica’s growers have gone bankrupt since the mid 1980s) deeming cotton as no longer economically viable to produce. Dependent capitalist development is destroying its own material foundations of existence (or ecological conditions of production). Dependent capitalist development is destroying its own material foundations of existence (or ecological conditions of production).

16. Yet the use of pesticides still continues throughout much of the Third World (Costa Rican levels of pesticide contamination in the banana industry are among the highest in the world). Yet the use of pesticides still continues throughout much of the Third World (Costa Rican levels of pesticide contamination in the banana industry are among the highest in the world). Pesticides are now sighted as causes of tumors, premature births, and other reproductive damage, and are known to kill fetuses even when used in tiny concentrations. Pesticides are now sighted as causes of tumors, premature births, and other reproductive damage, and are known to kill fetuses even when used in tiny concentrations. In 1991, the Circle of Poison Prevention Act was passed to push for some significant progress in the battle against this form of “ecological imperialism” followed by a comprehensive effort to use safer pesticides in Central America. In 1991, the Circle of Poison Prevention Act was passed to push for some significant progress in the battle against this form of “ecological imperialism” followed by a comprehensive effort to use safer pesticides in Central America.