2-year-old's grandmother wants answers

By Clint Confehr

SUMMERTOWN, Tenn. - The grandmother of a 2-year-old with a birth defect says she's not mad at anyone, nor is she looking to place blame.

Tamara Turner just wants to know what's sprayed and when it's sprayed on farm fields here, she said. Nearly 150 neighbors are concerned for their health and complained to the state about crop dusting.

Turner's grandchild was born with a hole in the heart and is to have surgery to close the hole, she said. It's needed to prevent a problem later.

At least 17 attended a recent Citizens for Clean Water, Air and Food meeting. Group founders Rocky and Betsy Stone described their efforts for residents. Betsy shared results of her research on agricultural herbicides and pesticides. Rocky reports that crops may well be treated with chemicals this year.

Turner says, "I don't see these chemicals, or pesticides going away. The farmers ... are neighbors..."

Another resident says he wants to grow and sell organic produce, but can't get them certified as organic. Chemicals blow onto his property.

Conflict here seems like a double-edged sword. "I imagine many of the farmers, or their family members have health issues that possibly are linked to this exposure," Turner said.

Her grandchild's surgery was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic and monitoring of the child's health.

Turner doesn't know why her grandchild was born with a hole in the heart, she said. "That does happen. There are a variety of reasons. There's no family history."

Asked about what was discussed during the citizens meeting, Turner replied, "I'm not unfamiliar with much of this because ... I learned about some of this, some 30 years ago..."

The Stones and others allege people using farm chemicals here haven't displayed information about chemicals they're using.

Turner said, "I've lost faith that they [farmers and/or their help] are using them responsibly. They should willingly produce an MSDS [Material Safety Data Sheet] if they're spraying stuff and are questioned about it ...

"My husband has worked in hazardous materials ... and if somebody says 'What are you hauling? I want to see information,' you need to show information.

"If they're so confident in what they're doing, they should willingly give us this information and I believe the law supports that...

"There seems to be some health issues in this community that could be attributed to pesticide exposure," she said. "By them not being forthcoming, they are really creating a lot of distrust.

"I'm just sad that my husband and I moved here five years ago thinking we were moving to a safe place in the country."