But local officials say no and offer plenty of anecdotal evidence, contending a person would have to drink the pesticides for years before showing side effects. Farmers who have lived on the orchards all their lives report no health problems. Wenatchee mayor Earl Tilly says he can remember being drenched in lead arsenate as a boy while his father sprayed the orchards, and he doesn't believe it had any ill effect. A study of Wenatchee residents published in 1941 did show an increased lead level in the blood of orchardists at a time when lead arsenate was still being applied. But later health studies, including one performed in the 1980s, reportedly showed lead levels to be normal.
Scientists contend a comprehensive health survey of the region is needed to clarify the issue.
James W. White, a toxicologist with the Department of Health, concedes there are too many variables to say for certain that these levels pose a health risk. He said an individual's behavior, the dose and method of ingestion and how sensitive the person is to the contaminants all play a role. But I think there is a potential health hazard with some of the arsenic levels in the area. Dr. Allan Felsot, an associate professor of environmental chemistry and toxicology at Washington State University, says he believes the health hazard from DDT is very, very low. These people have been living with this for a very long time.