Yoon mentioned: ".....and then a modified OA spray at 30% in syrup—in part,
because all my colonies are on SBB, making it difficult to keep the vapors
inside for any length of time, and, in part, because I wanted to maximize
the benefits of both trickling and spraying methods, let alone OA in
solution is a bit safer to administer than in gaseous form."  and "OA at
30% is a strong poison, no doubt:  wear all the protective gear (eye and
nose and hands) and always *check the wind direction* before you apply."
and also " At one point during administration... As I went down, almost
following the settling vapors in the air, I felt a sharp sensation [burn]
in the eye, for a few vapors came up through the cracks beneath the tight-
fitting sun glasses.   At that point, I stopped and washed my face and
eyes...."

Yoon, I give the following comments in hopes that others will read and
take light of this posting as well as my posting of December 30, 2003, Re:
[BEE-L] The Effort to Obtain Oxalic Approval in North America,
http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0312e&L=bee-l&P=4041.

1) Place a cut-out piece of cardboard or heavy paper over the screened
bottom board, SBB, thus saving the need to modify directions for using the
oxalic acid, OA.

2) Adding a syrup solution to the OA results in an oxalic acid and syrup
mixture when dried is a residue almost completely distributed within the
hive(s); I do not know what the consequences of the resulting mixture will
have, perhaps you could let us know the outcome of your application.  I do
know that the bees will want to take up the syrup residue, which also
contains the OA. IMO here is a prime case of modification of application
and the use of an unapproved pesticide. YOON, there are people besides
beekeepers who read this List!

3) I do not believe that anyone on this List has said anything as direct,
pointed, and as sharp as my comments about Beekeepers misusing pesticides
and how the FDA looks at Beekeepers as my last post which is referenced
above. I have posted on this List in the past about proper pesticide
usage; and have made note of the necessity of reading the labels and the
Material Safety Data Sheet, MSDS. I remain an advocate of the proper and
legal use of pesticides and I encourage the same to all. If my words seem
harsh it is because I am concerned about health and safety.

The above example, IMHO, is just one reason why the FDA has a real concern
in approving pesticides for Beekeeping operations and when new pesticides
are indeed approved, the methods of application are often as simple and as
foolproof as possible.

Yoon, I sincerely hope that you received no permanent damage to either
your eyes or your lungs by using OA in the manner that you described. I
also hope that the situation as you described will not happen to another
beekeeper reading this List or hearing about Oxalic Acid administration
from another source that referenced this List.

With Sincere Respect to All,

Chuck Norton
Norton's Nut & Honey Farm
Reidsville, NC

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