I am encouraged and hopeful reading the recent articles about Nancy Oden and her coalition, Clean Maine, working toward reducing our exposure to pesticides in Washington County. Residents in Addison should be proud of their effort to stop aerial spraying in their community. Many more residents should take similar steps.

All over our beautiful state, thousands of acres of forest and agricultural land is sprayed each year, yet little or no records remain through the Board of Pesticides Control. We are bearing witness to traces of pesticides now in our public and private water supplies, all in levels the state considers to be non-action, or safe.

We have a right to drink water free of chemical pesticides and we should exercise that right. If our state agencies will not work actively to reduce pesticide exposure through reducing aerial spraying, and will not keep accurate records of what and how much is being sprayed, we as residents must take on this responsibility.

Residents who would like to take steps to protect their communities against aerial spraying of chemical pesticides are encouraged to call Toxics Action Center for help at 871-1810. Although we may soon reach the point where a statewide referendum is feasible, our communities can and must take action, one by one, in the meantime.

Maggie Drummond

Toxics Action Center

Portland