Agricultural Chemical and Pest Risks

NYPPL has received a number of emails reporting that litigation involving medications such as Zantac and agricultural chemicals such as Paraquat are being filed in courts.

Listed below are selectedAgricultural Chemical and Pest Risks Articles and reports by Dr. Robert A. Michaels, NYPPL's science consultant. These items may be downloaded without charge from the Internet via https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Robert_Michaels3/publications.

Dr. Michaels has advised clients on greenhouse chemical risks and permitting. He advised the State of Maine Dept. of Health Services and Dept. of Environmental Protection on pesticide registrations, and was appointed to the Ethylene Dibromide (EDB) Medical Advisory Committee of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources. He co-authored a book on EDB, and participated in interviews and technical presentations, for example as an invited TV panelist in the Maine Public Broadcasting Network documentary on Pesticide Spray Drift and Chemical Trespass. Dr. Michaels has assessed exposure and health risks potentially posed by numerous agricultural chemicals, including herbicides and pesticides. He serves on the National Fire Protection Association Committee on Classification and Properties of Hazardous Chemicals, establishing industry consensus standards for storage of substances including pesticides.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Dr. Robert A. Michaels; PhD, CEP, President, RAM TRAC Corporation

 Schenectady, New York

(518) 785-0976    Email bam@ramtrac.com    URL = www.ramtrac.com   

 

Michaels, RA.  Environmental Moisture, Molds, and Asthma - Emerging Fungal Risks in the Context of Climate Change.  Environmental Claims Journal, 29(3):171-93, 2017; online: https://doi.org/10.1080/10406026.2017.1345521, 26 July 2017;

Human Health Work Group, including RA Michaels. Final Report of the Human Health Work Group of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Comparative Risk Project. Albany, New York; NYS DEC, 308 pages, May 2001;

Michaels, RA. Mass poisoning. Nature (London):346:505 (letter), 9 August 1990;

Michaels, RA; DW Crawford, BA Campbell, FH Lawrence. Exposure and risk assessment, health monitoring, and risk management for herbicide applicators. National Academy of Sciences/ National Research Council, Transportation Research Record, 1016:21-7, 1985a;

Lawrence, Frank H.; and RA Michaels. Ethylene Dibromide (EDB) – A Guide for Decision Makers. Portland, Maine, EnviroLogic Data, 122 pages, March 1984;

Michaels, Robert Alan. Effect of DDT On Growth Rate and Photosynthesis in Pediastrum boryanum (Chlorococcales). Athens, Georgia, USA; University of Georgia, Institute of Ecology, Department of Zoology; Master of Science (MS) Degree, James E. Schindler, Major Professor; Donald C. Scott, Reading Committee Chairperson; 89 pages plus Appendices, August 1971.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Committee Reports

NFPA Technical Committee, including RA Michaels, et al. Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response; NFPA 704, 2022 Edition. Quincy, Massachusetts; National Fire Protection Association, Technical Committee on Classification and Properties of Hazardous Chemicals Data, 38 pages, 2020;

NFPA Technical Committee, including RA Michaels, et al. Code for the Storage of Pesticides; NFPA 434, 2002 Edition. Quincy, Massachusetts; National Fire Protection Association, Technical Committee on Hazardous Chemicals, doi 10.13140/RG.2.2.25647.12964, 14 pages, 19 July 2002;

NFPA Technical Committee, including RA Michaels, et al. Code for the Storage of Ammonium Nitrate; NFPA 490, 2002 Edition. Quincy, Massachusetts; National Fire Protection Association, Technical Committee on Hazardous Chemicals, doi 10.13140/RG.2.2.18936.24328, 11 pages, 19 July 2002;

NFPA Technical Committee, including RA Michaels, et al. Fire Hazard Properties of Flammable Liquids, Gases, and Volatile Solids; NFPA 325, 1994 Edition. Quincy, Massachusetts; National Fire Protection Association, Technical Committee on Classification and Properties of Hazardous Chemicals Data, doi 10.13140/RG.2.2.17258.52169, 94 pages, 14 July 1994.

 

New York Public Personnel Law handbooks

The Discipline Book - A concise guide to disciplinary actions involving public officers and employees in New York State set out as an e-book. For more about this electronic handbook, click HERE.

A Reasonable Disciplinary Penalty Under the Circumstances- The text of this publication focuses on determining an appropriate disciplinary penalty to be imposed on an employee in the public service in instances where the employee has been found guilty of misconduct or incompetence. For more information click HERE.

Disability Benefits for fire, police and other public sector personnel - an e-book focusing on retirement for disability under the NYS Employees' Retirement System, the NYS Teachers' Retirement System, General Municipal Law Sections 207-a/207-c and similar statutes providing benefits to employees injured both "on-the-job" and "off-the-job." For more information about this e-book click HERE.

The Layoff, Preferred List and Reinstatement Manual-This e-book reviews the relevant laws, rules and regulations, and selected court and administrative decisions. Click HEREfor more information.

Former Village of Rhinebeck, New York employee arrested for working side job on the Village's time

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and the New York State Police, reported the arrest of former Village of Rhinebeck Superintendent of Public Works John J. Fenton, Jr., on six counts, including grand larceny, falsifying business records and corrupting the government in the 3rd degree. The arrest was a result of a joint investigation between DiNapoli’s Office, the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office, and the New York State Police.

While a full-time employee with the Village of Rhinebeck, Fenton obtained part-time zoning and code enforcement and building inspection employment with the Town of Rhinebeck, the Village of Tivoli, the Town of Red Hook and the Town of Clinton. In addition to his public employment, Fenton conducted home inspections for his two private companies.

Fenton allegedly left during the workday while working for the Village of Rhinebeck to work for the other municipalities and then falsified timesheets submitted to Red Hook to hide his double-dipping. Fenton also falsified mileage reimbursement requests to Red Hook in order to receive improper payments. In addition Fenton allegedly used the village’s office and other resources to work his various side jobs. As a result, he allegedly stole $2,697 from the Village of Rhinebeck and $2,978 from the Town of Red Hook.

“Mr. Fenton allegedly cheated the taxpayers of multiple municipalities to line his own pocket,” DiNapoli said. “I thank Dutchess County District Attorney William Grady and the New York State Police for partnering with my office to hold him accountable.”

Fenton was allegedly stealing from taxpayers for his own benefit by falsifying his timesheets, said New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen. “We have no tolerance for any type of public corruption, and I commend the New York State Comptroller’s Office, our State Police members, and the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office for their combined effort in exposing this fraud.” 

Fenton was arrested and released on an appearance ticket and is due back in court on April 7th.    

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 Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has committed to fighting public corruption and encourages the public to help fight fraud and abuse. New Yorkers can report allegations of fraud involving taxpayer money by calling the toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-888-672-4555, by filing a complaint online at investigations@osc.ny.gov, or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 8th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.