More study needs to be done to determine if there are harmful health effects caused by cane burns.
No correlation can be drawn between health effects of cane burns and prescriptions for respiratory and eye ailments dispensed on the day of a cane burn.
First of all, many people are uninsured and will not seek medical care or prescriptions due to lack of insurance, even if their health is impacted by cane burns and pesticides. Second, health effects of cane burning are cumulative and medical attention and medications may not be sought exactly on the same day as a cane burn. Third, the current study (The Maui News, Oct. 4) does not take into account the effect of toxins from the burns falling out of the air and into water supplies, agricultural areas, as well as effects on ocean edibles.
The Department of Health has shown its unwillingness to protect the health of all Mauians and the aina by putting its authority behind such a poorly designed study. Perhaps Alexander & Baldwin should begin to retrain its 800 employees rather than using them as a subterfuge.
Alexandra Witkin
Wailuku
