Hydro-Quebec sprayed tens of thousands of litres of a highly toxic plant-killing chemical which was a major component of Agent Orange at its facilities last year, The Nation has learned.
The herbicide 2,4-D can cause cancer and other severe illnesses in people and animals, according to many studies. But Hydro says there’s nothing to worry about.
“Numerous studies recognized by the scientific community show the absence of negative impacts for animals (from Hydro’s herbicides),” says one utility pamphlet.
But many studies show otherwise. In large amounts, 2,4-D can kill people and animals, the studies say. In smaller doses it can cause cancer, genetic damage to human blood cells and reproductive problems in animals.
The herbicide was a major ingredient in Agent Orange, used with devastating results as a defoliant in the Vietnam War by the U.S. government.
The use of 2,4-D has sparked an outcry in the U.S., where workers who spray it report acute health problems. Yet, 2,4-D, under a formulation called Tbrdon 101, is by far Hydro’s most widely used herbicide. Over 50,000 litres was sprayed last year.
Hydro sprays herbicides to control irksome plants growing on its facilities. They are usually showered out of an aircraft. The herbicides can drift up to 800 metres from the target when sprayed in this way.
The Nation first asked for information about Hydro-Quebec’s herbicide program after acall from a Chisasibi resident concerned about the problem. Getting any information outof Hydro-Quebec proved to be no easy task. In July, we requested details aboutwhere herbicides are used, in what amounts, environmental-impact studies, what controls exist to minimize ecological damage, etc.
We received a one-paragraph written response from Gérard Verzeni, Hydro’s director of dam security, who said simply that all “vegetation control” is done in accordance with the regulations of the Environment Ministry and Hydro-Quebec. No other information was given. A Hydro-Quebec spokesman was asked for more details, but he was unable to be of help.
In August, we filed an access-to-infor-mation request to find out more. After a month, we got back a short Hydro document about herbicide use in James Bay. It says plant control there is “principally” done using the herbicide Roundup.
The Pesticide Action Network, based in California, says Roundup is “acutely toxic to animals, including humans.” It is famous in Japan, where it is often used by people trying to commit suicide. A study of 56 cases of Roundup poisoning found that drinking 3/4 of a cup is lethal.
Studies have found Roundup can also cause genetic damage in human blood cells; testicular tumours, reduced sperm count, fetal death and thyroid cancer in rats; and kidney tumours in mice.
After getting this document, we filed a second access-to-information request seekingmore details. Hydro sent a letter saying it used 167 litres of Roundup at its La Grandedykes and dams last year and, this year, 230 litres — enough to kill 1,280
people if ingested. Hydro also uses herbicides under its northern power
lines, but wouldn’t reveal how much or which ones.
