As we began our descent into San Jose, Costa Rica the pursor announced that they would be coming through the cabin to spray a non-toxic insecticide approved by the World Health Organization. The announcment was quick, carefully timed and totally unexpected.
Determined to prevent this from happening I coralled two of the three cabin crew members in the forward galley, doing my best to engage them in conversation as long as possible. Although the dialogue was terse at first it did not take long for one of the crew members to admit that she personally was not comfortable with the proceedure. It was however a requirement. Assuring her that I understood her position I made it clear that I would not consent to being subjected to the spray nor would many other passengers accept their rights and health being compromised.
Well into our descent now the pursor arrived which put all three potential sprayers in one place. Being sure to block their access to the cabin I began the conversation again with the woman in charge. She quickly aknowledged my concern and carefully suggested her agreement with my position but insisted that without the spraying we would be impounded on arrival.
Like a skidding car or impending orgasm confrontational situations have a defining moment at which point one must make a total commitment to regaining control or give oneself over to the outcome. Until this point I had intended to just argue my point however it now was clear that a more physical approach may be required to prevent this from happening.
Slowly and carefully I restated my concern this time making it clear that I would not allow the spraying to take place. The pursor and I were fully engaged, both of us firm and both of us totally compassionate for the other. She spoke first.
The bottles would be checked on arrival and if not emptied we would be quarantined. She would not spray near my seat. I told her that was unacceptable. A heady moment passed.
Perhaps I would not be arrested I thought. Although these days any physical resistance is sure to be considered a serious threat regardless of the circumstances. I asked the crew if they remembered the Stewartesses that contracted cancer from spraying cabins in the sixties and seventies. So what if the W.H.O approved it, did they know what was in the spray?
Pyrethrum is the most widely used botanical insecticide in the United States. The active ingredient, pyrethrin, is extracted from a chrysanthemum plant, grown primarily in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Ecuador.
Most insects are highly susceptible to pyrethrin at very low concentrations. The compound acts rapidly on insects, causing immediate knock down. Flying insects drop almost immediately after exposure. Fast knock down and insect death don't, however, always go hand in hand; many insects recover after the initial knockdown phase.
Pyrethrins and synthetic derivatives called pyrethroids have low-to-moderate toxicity for humans and other mammals and are now a widely used alternative to organophosphates. However, they are known to provoke serious asthma and allergy attacks in susceptible people. Also, pyrethrin products usually contain piperonyl butoxide, an additive whose safety has been brought into question by recent studies that showed liver cancer in both mice and rats exposed to the substance.
The bathroom was an option. The spray would be sucked up by the suction of the toilet and contained within the closet. An agreement perhaps. The choice was now mine. Return to my seat and vacation and trust that we have come to an understanding or, stand firm until we land and take up residence in a Costa Rican holding tank.
Compassionate eyes all around. I returned to my seat and numerous queries by the passangers. What happend? Are they spraying? What did you say?
Hand on the release of my seat belt, I watched the crew carefully for the remainder of the flight. One came by to record my seat number although she pretended not to. I did not smell anything.
Perry
Posted by pike at December 8, 2003 06:19 PMhey perry¡¡ how are you? my dad buy me a surfboard and i want to go to the beach the much faster that i can. Merry christmas and a happy new year.
Posted by: israel at December 31, 2003 02:54 PMHey Rambo!! nice Job.. So how is the surf? Sun and Sand???? I'm sooo envious, I think I woud have been sparyed just to get there.....Hey it's only a little CANCER!!!
Ian
Posted by: Ian P at December 15, 2003 06:41 PMWay to go Perry. The majority of people just allow stuff to happen. It takes people like you to not allow ourselves to be run roughshod into whatever their latest scheme is. Keep it up.
Aaron
Posted by: Aaron at December 12, 2003 08:56 PMSounds like the Perry I know. Education is the key to survival playing ignorant gets you nowhere. As individuals you must stand up for what you believe in cause the government don't give a damn! Money is what they believe in. Way to go Perry.
Humberto
Hi all,
Perry - Thanks for sharing this story - the issue really is a two sided coin. The Black Widow spider has infested to planet from its origins of Austrailia, the Asian Long Horned Beatle is an invading species from china that is threatening Maple stands throughout Central and Eastern Canada.
The issue is broad and Glocalization is at the centre. I am with you on your stance and I love the Maverick Style that you act and tell with.
Chris
Posted by: chopik at December 11, 2003 02:07 PMHoly Shit brother! Nice work. You know your dossier is growing somewhere, "...troublemaker..." atta boy!
greg
so the adventure starts even sooner than i would have thought. good that you did what you did! keep on rockin' in the free world!
Posted by: skip at December 11, 2003 12:12 PMats m'boy perry, keep up the good work and stories. Are pasengers of Air Canada informed that they face this attack on their person at any time in the flight? I will ask this question.
Posted by: al-marilyn at December 10, 2003 11:23 PMAside from the potential danger of the spray itself its the total disregard for passengers rights and health that really scares me. I have seen worse of course, being subjected to faulty 1950's x-ray machines in Indonesia and other such things but this was on Air Canada coming from Toronto!
Posted by: Perry at December 10, 2003 09:11 PMon a visit to egypt our family was well sprayed
with no warning as we left. now that we have west nile virus maybe theve stopped. it was an uncomfortable feeling.
I was just talking about this today. Appearantly insecticide is used on flights travelling into Australia. Unfortunatly the countries that impose these kinds of restrictions (with regard to quarentines, sprayings, etc.) tend to be the ones that have wreaked the most havoc on the environment.
Posted by: gillian at December 10, 2003 05:04 PMWho the hell were you flying with?! I've never heard of this happening...Crazy.
Don't forget to use your "special" soap.
Love ya Perry.
Posted by: Ilda at December 10, 2003 04:29 PMHi Perry,
You have courage...I definately would want you on my flight!. Did anyone else back you up? It's important to stand up at the right time and be counted..and you did. Congratulations.
Hey Perry,
Thanks for keeping up the good fight..This is a ridiculous policy, and the makers of such "low-level" toxicity sprays must have a hand in this, for purely economic reasons.....how lucrative an airline market must be!!
It is inspiring to read of actions like this.. and I am reminded to keep challenging myself to stand up and act when these types of opportunities arrive.. So it isn't easier to keep quiet and dumbed down and agreeable... and then you can't sleep at night.
Have a great vacation.
Perry,
I'm a bit troubled. When Marna and I went Costa Rica last year there was no "announcement" of a insecticide spraying. Do you know if this is standard for all flights into Costa Rica? Can they spray without knowledge or consent? Hmmmm...
Posted by: Andrew at December 10, 2003 01:08 PMgood for you Perry. there's no need to be exposed to any chemicals u are not forewarned about. when i was in hawaii, they were 'disinfecting' the childrens dishes with bleach. i held up a similar protest.
and how is san jose? i suspect you are now cloase to a beach, and the water....