An article in USA Weekend (“Are common chemicals srambling your hormones?,” Feb. 13-15), offered some suggestions to counter the alarming trends of decreasing human fertility (males) and precocious onset of puberty (female). One recommendation was “Buy organic food to avoid pesticide residues.” For several decades my family has sought out organic food in grocery stores, health food stores, and mail-order suppliers.

The article, “Organic proposals” (BDN, Feb. 21-22), reveals that this healthful opportunity soon may be lost. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is about to establish new standards (read “definitions”) of what constitutes organic. Particularly alarming is the designation of sludge from sewage treatment plants (known to contain heavy metal pollutants and carcinogens) as “organic” fertilizers.” Another USDA guideline would permit ground-up waste from the slaughterhouses to be fed to livestock whose meat could be labeled “organic” (mad cow disease, anyone?).

Why has the USDA chosen to alter and subvert the meaning of “organic” with such a bizarre interpretation? This is Orwellian doublepseak where a word once meaning “safe and natural” is applied to human-produced toxins and potentailly contaminated protein materials. Must be foresee a time when fresh fruits and vegetables from our own gardens will be unsafe to eat — if raised in USDA-redefined “organic” compost or fertilized with USDA-rated “organic” fertilizers? We must persuade government officials of the urgency to protect human health and reduce the pollution and contaminants that we will pass on to future generations.

Thank you for listing the name and address of the USDA administrator to contact regarding Docket No. TMD-94-00-2. Alice Sheppard Presque Isle