Editor, The Herald:

I totally agree with the letter John G. Hurt sent to you (“Harsh chemicals threaten wildlife,” Friday, May 29). In fact, I would go one step further in suggesting that these chemicals may endanger more than wildlife. There is a possibility they could get into our water and food supplies through leaching and runoff. Has a long-term study been made contradicting this?

Not only do foresters use herbicides and defoliates, but so do our electrical companies in their right of ways. They have established this practice instead of mowing because it is cheaper. Once done, all plant life is killed in the area sprayed.

Of course, the power companies say that what they use is not dangerous, much like what the contractor cited in Mr. Hurt’s letter said to him. That is also what was said about “Agent Orange” in South Vietnam: “It only kills the foliage!» Well, we see 40-plus years later how wrong that is. Tell that to some of our Vietnam vets suffering from the effects of Agent Orange exposure.

I ask that we all write our utility companies, our congressman, U.S. Rep. Robert Hurt, R-Va., our state representatives, and county supervisors and call for an end to this practice until a long-term study has been conducted by an independent body (and made public). I for one don›t need these chemicals in my well.

Robert D. McRae

Prince Edward County