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The Need to Know <br />r, . Y <br />% <br />r " <br />r <br />r tr r'?r <br />Today the public has a high awareness of the potential <br />dangers of chemicals in the environment. The mere <br />mention of the word "chemical" to some is often <br />associated with "danger". Therefore, it is important to <br />clearly define the properties of any chemcal that is being <br />used in our environment. <br />A question that might be raised by concerned citizens <br />might be "Has rotenone been adequately tested to assure <br />our personal safety and to protect the environment?" For <br />answers to such questions, we must turn to the scientists <br />who know the chemical best. <br />In recent years, we have heard a great deal about <br />synthetic pesticides that were designed and produced in <br />chemical laboratories. Some of these are so unique or <br />unusual that they are not readily broken down by normal <br />biological systems. Such synthetic compounds may persist <br />for long periods in the environment. Where does <br />rotenone fall in the gamut of modem pesticides? <br />Rotenone is a natural substance derived from several <br />tropical and sub-tropical plants. Natives in Central and <br />South America have used the juices of these plants for <br />centuries to help them collect fish for food.