letters
vironmental effects of insecticides; we do not use them. Hugo P. Kortschak Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Assn. Honolulu. Hawaii 96822
Nothing new under the sun
DEARSIR: Your article on alternatives to pesticides (May 1971, p 399) has two prime examples of how information, although well known by many people in one area is somehow not available to others who need it! “A USDA laboratory in Hawaii has applied methyl euginol to 1-in. cardboard squares . . . and demonstrated the eradication of the oriental fruit fly . . .” F o r many years, Honolulu residents have set out jars of water, added a few drops of citronella, and collected male fruit flies by the thousand. “Eventually, perhaps, both parasites or predators could be mass produced and released into the environment to help attack various pests.” T h e Hawaiian sugar industry has been doing this f o r over 60 years, with such success that we need not worry about the en-
Ecological tragedy a t Franklin
DEAR SIR: If I were to write a book entitled “Contemporary tragedies resulting from a misunderstanding of the ecological perspective,” I would include the Franklin, Ohio solid waste plant as a prime example (ES&T, October 1971, p 998). The basic thrust of ecology (household study) reveals that the reductionist philosophies and methods of science, engineering, economics, and politics have precipitated a multifaceted survival crisis. Our present enforcement and technological focus on pollution control is not a n example of applied ecology but a n extension of reductionist thinking. Such myopic vision must be replaced with holistic resource planning and administrative and accounting procedures.
I believe that while the plant a t Franklin is an example of what is “possible” now, we must move on and accomplish what is the most desirable solution. This movement will not be alluded to, planned for, or attempted if we continue t o think of pollution control as the ultimate goal. We must maximize resource utilization and reuse and minimize our per capita draw of resources from the environment. As a nation in which 7 of the world’s population now utilizes over half the world’s resources, our task is not waste reduction, o r disposal, but maximum utilization of every pound of material and Btu that supports our standard of living. This will only come to pass when representatives of basic resource industries, manufacturers, secondary material dealers, bankers, government agencies, and consumer groups all jointly face the task of minimizing our impact o n the common household. Clifford C. Humphrey, Director Ecology Action Educational Institute Box 3895 Modesto, C a l f . 95352
An environmental chromatograph from the people who build process chromatographs. You know us. We build first-rate process chromatographs. And now, we’re using the same technologies to build environmental chromatographs, too. Same sampling techniques. Same analytical skills. Using hydrogen flame-ionization detectors, our chromatograph detects methane, carbon monoxide and total hydrocarbons. Sensitivity?To an incredible parts per billion. Operation is automatic, too. Concentrations are automatically recorded on a moving strip chart. Our environmental chromatograph is just one weapon in an arsenal of equipment we offer to help you fight the dirty dozen, today’s twelve most common air pollutants: total hydrocarbons, NO, NOx,C0,COz,SO~,S03,HzS, mercaptans, phosphorous, 0 3 , NH3. Whether you want to tackle one or the whole dirty bunch, we have the detection capability to helo vou do it. The BendixCorooration, Process In-itiuments Division, Ronceverte, W. Va. 24970.
(304) . . 647-4358. 1158 Environmental Science & Technology
Bendix declares war on the dirty dozen.
Circle No. 22 on Readers’ Service Card
