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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Thursday, July 29, 2004

BUREAUCRACY BUSTER
State can limit use of pesticides

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Q. Our neighbor uses pesticides to spray her plants, and on windy days the fumes are carried into our home. We think the chemicals may be contributing to illnesses our son has experienced. We have asked the neighbor to stop spraying, but the problem persists. What recourse do we have?

A. You can call the state Department of Agriculture's pesticides branch at 973-9405 and file a complaint, said pesticides specialist Steven Ogata. He said yours is the most common complaint that his office gets.

First thing he advises is that people take care of their health if they are feeling affected by pesticides. "Get fresh air, call for medical assistance if you need it," he said, then call in the complaint. "If we're not available, call 911, ask for fire," he said.

Generally, he suggests people try to talk to their neighbors first, as you have done. The inspectors will then try to talk to the neighbor and advise them that the spray shouldn't be affecting others and they may take samples, Ogata said. He said more than half of the people who are spraying are willing to talk about the problem.

Ogata said inspectors try to suggest that people consider using less toxic products and consider the wind conditions. If the neighbor keeps spraying, the state can then send a warning letter threatening fines, he said. Usually, that's enough to stop the problem, he said, but the state can assess civil penalties if the problem persists.

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Q. On my way to work this morning, I was unfortunate enough to fall behind a white Ford Mustang that was spewing an incredible amount of noxious fumes. The flow of fumes looked almost liquid because of the amount spilling from the exhaust pipe, even when the car was at rest at a stoplight Anyone glancing in the general direction of the car might have thought it was on fire. Is there any agency I can report this car to? Will anyone actually do anything, like fine the owner or condemn the car?

A. Honolulu Police Sgt. Bob Lung of the Traffic division said you should call the police with as much information as possible: the license plate number, date and time and location and description of the driver. "We can send them a letter letting them know that it is a violation and to have their car fixed," he said.

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Do you ever get frustrated or confused trying to navigate the various layers of government? Are you looking for an answer to a simple question but can't figure out where to start? If you have a question or a problem and need help getting to the right person, you can reach The Bureaucracy Buster one of three ways:

• Write to: The Bureaucracy Buster
The Honolulu Advertiser
605 Kapi'olani Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96813

• E-mail: buster@honoluluadvertiser.com

• Phone: 535-2454 and leave a message.

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