Some information relating to possible herbicide use in Lake Maspenock:

Did you know that lake treatment could cost the town between $50,000 to $60,000 each year or possibly every other year? It is not one and done.

The opposers and doubters may be more numerous than estimated.

Infants and children have been shown to be more vulnerable to the following effects from weed-killing chemicals: brain and nervous system problems, changes in the brain leading to behavioral disorders, and disorders of the endocrine and immune systems.

The EPA has approved 85 herbicides/pesticides banned in the European Union, China and Brazil. We are more lax than many countries in determining safety.

Rep. Jim McGovern has sponsored HR 5085, the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act.

We were told that herbicides would be a last resort when the [Lake Maspenock Weed Management & Control Advisory Group] was formed. We have not tried benthic barriers, hand pulling or hydro-rakes (small machines that are not full-scale dredging, used in the 1990s).

Definitive studies need to be done with a focus on the very young before we can be sure herbicides are safe enough.

— Carol Esler, Hopkinton

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