Monday, October 18, 2010

Agent Orange in Canada: The Dioxin Contamination of Canadian Forces Base Gagetown

Agent Orange in Canada: The Dioxin Contamination of Canadian Forces Base Gagetown

Series:
Loving the Earth Pollution Free Revolution
Dioxin Exposure Reduction

Program Type:
Interview

Featured Speakers/Commentators:
Kelly Franklin, former resident of Canadian Forces Base Gagetown and Canadian dioxin exposure activist

Contributor:
Cancer Action Network [Contact Contributor]


Summary:

Kelly Franklin moved to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Gagetown, a huge Canadian military base located in the Province of New Brunswick, on his first birthday. This was the beginning of an experience with irresponsible chemical use that challenges the imagination of those that hear his story. The Canadian military establishment sprayed staggering quantities of herbicides on this large once forested area so as to be able to conduct division sized military operations. Agent White, Agent Blue, and Agent Orange were all sprayed on the base over a period of many years. The spraying started in the 1950s and continues to this day. Current spraying utilizes Roundup.

The residents of CFB Gagetown were not given notice of their exposure to dioxins until 2005. This is an atrocity of great significance. Many people were unknowingly exposed to large quantities of poisons by a government that knew poisons were being used and knew the health damaging effects of exposure to these poisons. The Canadian government harmed these people by using the herbicides and then keeping the exposed people in the dark about the use long after the government knew of scientific information describing the serious damages to health caused by exposure to these substances. If you are interested in becoming more clear minded about the use of chemicals by the US and Canadian military this is a must listen to interview.

Kelly asks that anyone with information about the dates at which Dow Chemical Company first became aware of the health damaging effects of dioxin exposure would contact him as soon as possible. He and his fellow CFB Gagetown survivors are trying to hold Dow accountable for the company’s part in this terrible abuse of life and land.

DOWNLOAD OF INTERVIEW AVAILABLE

1 comment:

Sheridan Collins said...

Go Kelly.