TOSC staff recently began working with a community group that initially contacted them in 2001. A number of residents of Dallas, Oregon were concerned about possible health issues related to herbicide exposures. Dallas is a small rural community located in Polk County, Oregon with a population of around 18,000. Many residents in Dallas live in close proximity to tree farms and forest lands owned by private companies where herbicides are applied by aircraft. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, many different types of herbicides are applied in and around the Dallas neighborhood.   Examples include Oust, 2,4-D, Transline, and Velpar.

photo by Geo-Images Project

Aerial herbicide application is a procedure commonly practiced by timber companies and the U.S. Forest Service to control competitive underbrush growth after timber harvests, and to promote faster regeneration of trees on previously logged tree plots. This practice is usually carried out over large acres of land, and residents living adjacent to application areas may be exposed to herbicides without their knowledge. Controversies exist as to the safety of herbicides on animal and human health. Groups in several states, such as New Hampshire, Northern Vermont, Maine and California have either formed citizen coalitions or obtained legal protection against the spraying of herbicides on forest lands close to residential homes.

During the beginning stages of TOSC's relationship with Dallas, community members expressed concerns for possible herbicide drifts near and around the tree plots located close to their own properties. The lines of communication between TOSC and the Dallas community had been left open with no definitive request for assistance from the community.   Over the past four years, one citizen from Dallas has been especially active in gathering evidence supporting the community's concerns about herbicide drifts, as well as posing questions regarding possible health risks to the community.  

In March 2005 the concerned citizen from Dallas contacted the Oregon State University extension service for assistance. Extension service contacted TOSC staff and TOSC reestablished a working relationship with the community.  

Most recently, two members from the TOSC staff, Michael Fernandez and Weiyi Zhao, visited the home of the concerned Dallas resident to discuss the group's concerns and determine what assistance TOSC could provide. While there, TOSC was able to create a rough sketch for a plan of action. The plan includes designing a health survey for affected community members, and reviewing scientific literature on known health effects caused by exposure to the herbicides of concern.  

TOSC is currently working on designing appropriate health surveys for adults and children and is examining the feasibility of designing an analogous survey for exposed animals. TOSC will continue to meet with community members so that we can obtain a better understanding of community-wide concerns, examine data collected by the residents, and use the information gathered toward better addressing the community's needs.  

For more information on this community contact Michael Fernandez at 541-737-4023.