^VIDEO: The Bay Area Bio Lab & Synthetic Biology, False Solutions Part Two, Panel Discussion

Convened by: Alliance for Humane Biotechnology, California BioSafety Alliance, California Coalition For Workers Memorial Day, Center for Environmental Health, Center for Food Safety, ETC Group, Friends of the Earth, Global Justice Ecology Project, Injured Workers National Network, International Center for Technology Assessment, Movement Generation Justice and Ecology Project, West County Toxics Coalition.

BY GLOBAL JUSTICE ECOLOGY PROJECT | APRIL 2, 2012 · 3:03 PM

Safety issues plague designer gene, nano workers

Joany Chou, Sandi Trend, and David Bell

This website contains information about the hazards and human health related illness/s and disease/s as a result of working in the microbial; research and development biotech lab, Agraquest, Inc. in Davis, California.

David Bell, worked for Agraquest for a mere 5 months and 9 days before he became so sick; he told his supervisor he was ill and had to seek emergency medical care.  His "project" was the Laginex^TM Project; the living fungus lagenidium giganteum which eats mosquito's from the inside out... 

Bell tested Laginex on living mosquito's - Prior to Bell's employment with Agraquest; the EPA had been denied a registration for "new active ingredient" in Laginex. ^{READ→ HERE [#199]}

David's Laginex Project was to find a viable stabilizing agent to extend Laginex's shelf life.  There had been several problems with the product;  ^READ→ "Laginex, which is a fungus that infects mosquito larvae in water, has been sold to several counties as well as Disney World. There have been some problems, however." and "The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District also had problems with Laginex, but that was due to a bad batch of the product, said Glenn Yoshimura, a biologist with the district."

THE FUNGUS, LAGENIDIUM WAS NOT AS SAFE AS BELL HAD BEEN TOLD BY AGRAQUEST as was documented in the March 24-26, 2004; Focus on Fungal Infections, New Orleans, Louisiana paper, ^{CLICK TO READ→} "CHARACTERIZATION OF A PREVIOUSLY UN-DESCRIBED LAGENIDIUM PATHOGEN ASSOCIATED WITH SOFT TISSUE INFECTION: INITIAL DESCRIPTION OF A NEW HUMAN OOMYCOSIS"

LIFE CYCLE OF LAGINEX^TM {from Zoospore to Oospore?

AGRAQUEST'S MICROBIAL CULTURES MEDICALLY IDENTIFIED IN DAVID BELL:

BELL'S CULTURES - Acinetobacter (bacteria) *Found in mosquito midgut and identified from Bells sinus / Acremonium (fungi) identified from Bell’s sputum /   Curvularia (fungi) identified from Bell’s nose / Penicillium (fungi) identified from Bell’s sputum, Pseudomonas (bacteria) *Found in mosquito midgut and identified in numerous cultures / Staph (bacteria) *Found in mosquito midgut and identified in numerous cultures;  *BLOOD SERUM / Histoplasma (fungi) identified by the Mayo Clinic in Bells Blood → Pamela Gail Marrone; first named inventor on United States Patent # 6,004,774 - → On January 18, 1999; 4 days after Bell told his supervisor he was sick with bloody pus draining from his nose, clocked out and sought emergency medical care, all four Agraquest Scientist started signing away their interest rights on this patent [6,004,774] which states→, "Additionally, an antifungal composition comprising an extract produced by B. subtilis strain ATCC 55614 may be used to treat human fungal diseases in which the disseminated disease propagule is a conidia, for example, Aspergillus sp. , Histoplasma sp., and Tinea sp." [found under V. Utility] The appointed qualified medical examiner, Dr. Ng; who is American Board Certified in Internal Medicine and  LEGAL MEDICINE was very clear in his evaluation of Bell when he stated, "By the description of Mr. Bell, it is not surprising that he could have been exposed to histoplasmosis in the contaminated "microfoci' as described by Gorbach et al."  ^{READ Dr. Ng's report of March 2, 2005 [page 22 of 27]} →Within 3 days Bell saw Dr. McKennan at Sacramento ENT with "the left part of his face and teeth became numb".  McKennan order a stat CT scan and said "he may require urgent drainage" ^{READ CHART NOTES→ HERE} Four days after seeing Dr. McKennan;→ David was scheduled for the #1 Sinus Surgery on January 25, 1999;  the 1st of what would become 4 MAJOR sinus surgeries. The appointed qualified medical examiner, Dr. Ng conclusion on March 2, 2005 was, "It it therefore within medical probability that his exposure at work has aggravated his allergic rhinitis which in turn exacerbated his sinusitis resulting in the need for surgery in 1/99."  ^{READ Dr. Ng's report of March 2, 2005 [page 24 of 27]}

Nowhere within the case of David Bell vs Agraquest does the California Workers' Compensation System recognize Dr. Ng as being an appointed Workers' Compensation Qualified Medical Examiner  (QME) specializing in Internal and Legal Medicine;  During the 'trial' of Bell vs Agraquest and the decision set forth that Bell didn't sustain a workplace injury/illness and he shall receive nothing by way of his  employment; the California Workers' Board refers to Bell's QME  as "Dr. Ng" ONLY.

*Although Bell had been given numerous medications for infection [and pain] prior to his 1st MAJOR sinus surgery; there were clear indications of infection in a polyp during the 2/3/1999 sinus surgery; the infection was never cultured to identify the microorganism/s in Bell.  *IgG LEVELS Alternaria (fungi) POSITIVE / Aspergillus (fungi) POSITIVE / Botrytis (fungi) Positive / Cladosporium (fungi) HIGH POSITIVE, Eppicoccum (fungi) POSITIVE / Fusarium (fungi) HIGH POSITIVE / Helminthosporium (fungi) HIGH POSITIVE / Mucor (fungi) POSITIVE / Pullularia (fungi) POSITIVE / Rhizopus (fungi) POSITIVE / Stemphylium (fungi) POSITIVE.  Bell also showed positive to a RARE  (unknown microorganism in a urine test).  Although Bacillus Subtilis has never been identified in Bell's cultures; it is like finding a needle in a haystack.  With Agraquest experimenting with numerous KNOWN strains and species of subtilis; there were many that were NEWLY DISCOVERED STRAINS or SPECIES; of not only bacteria, but fungus as well.  Again, The appointed qualified medical examiner, Dr. Ng report on Bacillus Subtilis on March 2, 2005 clearly shows there are human health issues with this bacterium.  ^{READ Dr. Ng's report of March 2, 2005 on Bacillus Subtilis [page 23 of 27]}

To view the massive amounts of prescriptions prescribed Bell  due to his employment at Agraquest; between the dates of January 18, 1999 though 2005 ONLY. Please locate these ^HERE [these are color coded to the prescribing  Physician/Hospital]     **Many additional prescriptions have been prescribed Bell after 2005 which are not on these lists.

*BIOLOGICAL SAFETY - Principles and Practices; LABORATORY, GROWTH CHAMBER AND GREENHOUSE MICROBIAL SAFETY: PLANT PATHOGENS AND PLANT-ASSOCIATED MICROORGANISMS OF SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMAN HEALTH by ANNE K VIDAVER, SUE A. TOLIN, AND PATRICIA LAMBRECHT - 4th ed. editors D. O. Fleming and D. L. Hunt, eds.) ASM Press, Washington, D.C. (Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

*Molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity: how do pathogenic microorganisms develop cross-kingdom host jumps? Peter Van Baarlen1, Alex Van Belkum2, Richard C. Summerbell3, Pedro W. Crous3, Bart P.H.J. Thomma1   Article first published online: 26 FEB 2007  DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2007.00065.x

During Bell’s workers compensation ‘trial ‘The presiding Judge (SUZANNE F. Dugan);  did not recuse herself as she should have; because of “bias” and/or “appearance of bias” when her husband; Michael T. Dugan had direct ties to Agraquest.  ^{READ the Sacramento Bee, October 4, 2009 article - Second Act - Michael T Dugan} "Michael Dugan of Shingle Springs consulted state government agencies on water issues for the Florida-based engineering firm PBS&J the past four years until he and others were laid off in June." (**This conflict of interest and bias by Judge Suzanne F. Dugan was not discovered until 2010). ^{READ Michael (T.) Dugan of Shingle Springs contribution for Obama for America in (2008)}.  "Employer/Occupation - Pbs&J/Consultant-Attorney"

California workers' compensation Judge Suzanne F. Dugan went so far as to say in her November 21, 2007 REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION on Bell's MOTION/PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION; "Applicant did not challenge me at that time nor before he received his decision.  I had no knowledge about the facts of the case before the trial" and "I have no personal bias about the parties of the case."  ^{READ APPLICABLE PORTIONS HERE}

**VALIDATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST  & BIAS BY CALIFORNIA WORKERS' COMPENSATION JUDGE IN THE CASE OF DAVID BELL vs AGRAQUEST, INC:

Judge Suzanne F. Dugan presided over Bell's workers compensation 'trial' on September 10, 2007 (Dugan's order on October 12, 2007 was that DAVID BELL did not sustain a workplace injury/illness at AGRAQUEST, INC and he was to receive nothing on his workers' compensation claim).

**SUZANNE F. DUGAN'S HUSBAND HAD "FIVE DIRECT TIES" TO AGRAQUEST BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER she heard the case of DAVID BELL vs AGRAQUEST, INC ; PBS&J Corporation, Agraquest, Agraquest's law firm of Morrison and Foerster and Agraquest's founder and CEO, Pamela Gail Marrone, company; Marrone Organic Innovations:

Judge Suzanne F. Dugan's husband, Michael T. Dugan was employed by the company, PBS&J Corporation, on the date of October 4, 2007.  Michael Dugan's employer, PBS&J Corporation "CO-SPONSORED" the University of California - Davis's Explorit Science Center's 16th annual Science Fair and Silent Auction - with Agraquest, Agraquest's United States Securities and Exchange and "patent" law firm; Morrison and Foerster, and Agraquest's founder; Pam Marrone's 3rd start-up biotech company in Davis, Marrone Organic Innovations [later re-named Marrone Bio Innovations].  **Not only were all four co-sponsors of the October 4, 2007 event; they provided "teams" for participation in the events held that day. ^{READ EXPLORIT SCIENCE CENTER WEEKLY COLUMN; DATE OCTOBER 19, 2007 HERE}

***It should be noted that Bell had written to Christopher Russell; of the law firm of  Morrison and Foerster in February 2000 and had requested a copy of his employee file, for his review, per his legal rights under California law. ^{READ BELL LETTER TO RUSSELL}. David did not receive a copy of his Agraquest employee file until 2004 when a subpoena was issued for it's release.)

^NEW Because of David Bell's illness; on February 9, 2011 a letter from Sandra Trend was attempted to be read at the California Department of Insurance-Fraud Assessment Commission meeting.  Although this letter was refused to be read aloud AND video taped; it was accepted by the Fraud Assessment Commission.    

On September 8, 2010 the California Department of Insurance; Workers' Compensation Fraud Assessment Commission held a meeting in which District Attorney's from every county in the state had the opportunity to submit their proposed budget for the years 2011/2010 to investigate and prosecute Workers' Compensation Fraud committed by fraudulent employers and employees.  Lt. Daniel Stroski of the Yolo County District Attorney's office and Supervising Deputy District Attorney; Dale Kitching, Insurance Fraud Unit of the Sacramento County District Attorney's office were there for funding.

Lt. Stroski made $108,000 in the year 2009 as THE INSURANCE FRAUD UNIT at the Yolo County District Attorney's office and and he doesn't know what employee's rights are?  He doesn't know that according to the California Department of Insurance; Workers' Compensation Fraud committed against an employee by an employer is; 1) Illegal acts committed by an employer; 2) Job duties and job title being misclassified; 3) Wages being under reported and 4) Not reporting "REPORTABLE INJURIES"?

*Sandi Trend AGAIN objected to any and all funding for both Yolo and Sacramento County D.A.s Workers' Compensation Fraud Units.  As of the year of 2007 to the present time; both Yolo and Sacramento County D.A.s office have refused to investigate and/or prosecute the willful criminal acts of concealment, fraud, corruption and collusion perpetrated against her son, David Bell in his workers' compensation case; DAVID BELL vs AGRAQUEST, INC.

What's Going On? Sandi Trend Reports On Systemic Fraud at California Department of Insurance - Fraud Assessment Commission

Not only did Trend object to funding for Yolo and Sacramento county D.A.s office; she further addressed the Workers' Compensation fraud Assessment Commission ChairWoman, Lisa Middleton concerning the conversation they had after the last Workers' Compensation Fraud Assessment Commission meeting on June 16, 2010 concerning Trend's newly discovered  evidence of Workers' Compensation Judge, Suzanne F. Dugan's "conflict of interest" and "bias" in presiding over her son's workers' compensation 'trial' on September 10, 2007.  Dugan's husbands employer in 2007 was PBS&J Corporation.  Twenty Three (23) days after Judge Dugan presided over Bell's trial (October 4, 2007); Dugan's husbands employer, PBS&J cosponsored the University of California's; Explorit Science Center's 16th annual Science Fair with the Defendant, Agraquest, Inc. in David Bell's workers' compensation case against the company.  Not only were Agraquest, PBS&J cosponsors of the event.. additional cosponsors were  the founder of Agraquest, Pamela Gail Marrone's third start-up company, Marrone Organic Innovations; AKA Marrone Bio Innovations and one of Agraquest's law firms; Morrison & Foerster (David had requested a copy of his employee file, for his review, in his February 2000 letter sent to Christopher Russell of Morrison & Foerster. David's request was ignored by both Agraquest and Morrison & Foerster; although California law clearly states employee's and ex-employees have the legal right for such a request.  David did not receive a copy of his Agraquest employee file until 2004 when a subpoena was issued.)  Agraquest, PBS&J, Morrison & Foerster and Marrone Organic Innovations provided teams for competitions during the Science Fair's events that day.  after the event; on October 12, 2007, Judge Suzanne Dugan ruled that David didn't sustain a workplace injury or illness and he shall take nothing by way of his claim.

Additional letters were sent to 1) California Attorney General; Edmond G. Brown & 2) The California Department of Insurance - Fraud Division (The enclosure that was included in both of  the California Attorney General and California Department of Insurance - Fraud Division letters can be read by "CLICKING" on the above "DEMAND FOR YOLO AND SACRAMENTO  COUNTY" letter.

On July 17, 2010 the National Education Conference on Biotech, Health and Safety, Labor And The Public was held in San Francisco, California.  This event was sponsored by the California Coalition for Workers’ Memorial Day (CCWMD) 415-867-0628 and endorsed by The Council for Responsible Genetics.  Several Speakers; from Connecticut to California, testified during this conference:

Dina J. Padilla; Candidate for CA Insurance Commissioner speaks of: Not getting care, diagnosis for conditions such as: mold, asthma or work related issues; That we get conservative care while insurance companies charge "lots of money": We get sick, we pay high premiums for medical care, given false hope, which is all a betrayal and a way to get rid of us, after the medical industrial complex takes all of our money.industrial complex takes all of our money. Mrs. Padilla also says, That for the first time an injured worker is on the ballot and that she just may know a little more then this last guy, who is a billionaire.

Steve Zeltzer - Labor on the Job Video Project, California Coalition For Workers Memorial Day

LawrenceRose, MD, M.PH- Former Cal/OSHA Senior Public Medical Officer [retired after 28 years]; Part of the UCSF Occupational/Environmental Medicine Department discussed how the new Cal-OSHA Standard, "5199 Airborne Transmissible Pathogens" could be used to bring employers in the biotechnology industries into compliance through mandated proper enforcement. He also reviewed how the Cal-OSHA enforcement program is becoming increasingly dysfunctional and ineffective, and what could be done to improve this problem in all California workplaces.

READ DR. JACK THRASHER'S RESUME

Dr. Jack D. Thrasher, PhD - Toxicologist, Immunotoxicologist, Fetal Toxicologist; Consulting Committee Member of:
Research Committee Report on Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Caused by Exposure to the Interior Environment of Water-Damaged Buildings - JULY 27, 2010; discussed the role of mold, ACOEM and the systemic corruption that prevents the protection of the health and safety of workers and the public.

Becky McClain - Molecular biologist [23 years] and injured Pfizer biotech worker gave a synopsis of the lack of public health and safety and worker’s rights involved in biotechnology's dealing with genetically engineered viruses, nanotechnology and synthetic biology.

McClain's power point presentation illustrated how genetically engineered viruses have been designed to infect humans in broader and multiple ways and also within a broader range of the animal and insect populations for long term expression. It also showed how these genetically engineered viruses can be designed to contain genetic “missiles”, called shRNAs, that can search and destroy specific human gene targets.  All these factors together illustrated how these viruses, which are made and used in unregulated BL2 laboratories throughout the U.S., could cause new emerging disease if not bio contained properly.

Sandi Trend - Mother of Injured Agraquest, Inc. biotech worker, David Bell  described how her son has been fighting sinus infections for 12 years, after only 5+ months on the job at the biotech company, Agraquest in Davis, California; How there is no protection for biotech employees; How Cal/OSHA is non-compliant in insuring biotech worker’s a healthy and safe workplace environment ; And the refusal of the California Attorney General, Jerry Brown and both Yolo and Sacramento County District Attorneys’ offices in not enforcing Federal and state of California laws and Labor codes.

Ms. Trend also spoke of her recent discovery of the “conflicts of interest” in Sacramento, California's workers' compensation Judge, Suzanne F. Dugan presiding over her son's workers' compensation trial on September 10, 2007 (Dugan's order on October 12, 2007 was that Trend's son did not sustain a workplace injury/illness at Agraquest and he was to receive nothing on his workers' compensation claim).  Judge Dugan's husband; Michael T. Dugan was employed by the company, PBS&J and on the date of October 4, 2007 Michael Dugan's employer, PBS&J "co-sponsored" the University of California - Davis's Explorit Science Center's 16th annual Science Fair and Silent Auction - with Agraquest, Agraquest's "patent" law firm; Morrison and Foerster, and Agraquest's founder; Pam Marrone's 3rd start-up biotech company in Davis, Marrone Organic Innovations [later re-named Marrone Bio Innovations].  Not only were all four co-sponsors of the October 4, 2007 event; they provided "teams" for participation in the events held that day.

To District Attorney's:  "Enforce The Laws"

CLICK each picture to watch testimony

To California DOI, Fraud Assessment Commission:  "No   Funding for Non-Compliant District Attorney Offices"

~ Dina Padilla is the only hope for the California Worker... ~

√ She will bring FAIRNESS and ACCOUNTABILITY to The California Department of Insurance •VISIT DINA PADILLA's WEBSITE BELOW •

BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY - BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!

MARCH-APRIL 2010 GENEWATCH Editorial on "David Bell & Agraquest "TeaTime in the Lab"" by Sam  Anderson - [pages 16 & 17]

COUNSEL FOR RESPONSIBLE GENETICS - MARCH-APRIL 2010 GENEWATCH MAGAZINE - Volume 23 Issue 2; Biolab Safety EDITORIALS:

A Cruel and Unusual Corporation By Ralph Nader; A Roach in the Kitchen By CRG staff - interview with Becky McClain Commentary: GM Crops By Eric Hoffman Dedication: Tony Mazzocchi By Jeremy Gruber Give Them an Inch... By Michael Siciliano One Bug, One Drug By Lynn Klotz, Edward Sylvester The Lab in My Backyard By Beth Willis Teatime in the Lab By Sam Anderson Book Review: Breeding Bio Insecurity and Germs Gone Wild By Andrew Thibedeau Flushing It Down the Rabbit Hole By Andrew Thibedeau Topic: Genetic Discrimination By Jeremy Gruber Topic: Forensic DNA Databanks By CRG Staff The Case of Dr. Malcolm Casadaban By CRG Staff

^NEW The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) IS NOT complying with workplace safety and health issues of the American Worker/s.  The January 18, 2010 Letter of reply ^{READ→ HERE} to the January 12, 2010 David Michaels letter ^{READ→ HERE} (United States Department of Labor) concerning lack of Federal OSHA standards in the state of California has NEVER BEEN ANSWERED.

^NEW "CLICK" TO WATCH, DEMAND TO YOLO & SACRAMENTO COUNTIES D.A. S TO ENFORCE LAW

_{^{VIEW VIDEO→}} 2010 - CALIFORNIA INSURANCE COMMISSIONER CANDIDATE Padilla Charges Fraud At SAC DA Kitching Office PRESS RELEASE

^{SANDI TREND'S PRESS RELEASE}

Additionally, Bio Tech employee's are not afforded the RIGHT-TO-KNOW OF HAZARDS IN THE WORKPLACE. As with Agraquest, The biotech companies claim, "Trade Secrets", "Proprietary Information" and "Confidential Communication".  Which leaves no hope for a diagnosis to what Bell and McClain were exposed to.  How can a Physician treat and occupational illness when there is no enforcement of "workers RIGHT-TO-KNOW of hazards in the workplace.  How does the governmental agencies enforce RIGHT-TO-KNOW laws to save an biotech workers life?  This too is happening across the United Sates in the biotech Connecticut Pfizer Lab where Becky McClain was unaware what she had been exposed to.  Bouts of paralysis effect McClain around 12 time a month.  She has been told REPEATEDLY, she has not rights.

^{_{VIEW VIDEO→}}Daniel Berman On Pfizer Molecular Biologist Becky McClain Case Daniel Berman, author of "Death On The Job" talked about the case of injured Pfizer molecular biologist Becky McClain on April 27, 2010 in Sacramento. McClain was doing stem cell research and was contaminated as a result of the lack of proper health and safety protection at the Groton CT. Pfizer laboratories. For more information go to: www.cpab.info or www.workersmemorialday.org

On April 27, 2010; several member's of the California Worker's Memorial Day Coalition met individually with Don Parvin, Criminal Investigator of the Sacramento, California County District Attorney's Office.

In attendance was: Dr. Jack Thrasher, Toxicologist/Immunotoxicologist/Fetal toxicologist;  Dan Berman, Phd., Author of 'Death On The Job'; Dina J. Padilla, 2010 candidate for California Insurance Commissioner; C.T. Weber, 2010 Candidate for California Lieutenant Governor; Steve Zeltzer, Producer - Video Labor Project, and Sandi Trend, Mother of Injured Agraquest Biotech worker, David Bell. All testimony submitted to Don Parvin was audio taped by Mr. Parvin in the D.A.'s conference room.

Sandi Trend read and presented to Don Parvin; a four page Affidavit entitled:  ISSUES: NON-COMPLIANCE OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY OFFICE'S IN UPHOLDING THE LAW ^READ→HERE

^NEW Question: Do District Attorney's offices enforce Federal & state law's pertaining to Fraud & Perjury committed against an injured worker? Read relating correspondence to and from the Sacramento County District Attorney, Dale E. Kitching; Principal Criminal Attorney-Insurance Fraud Unit

QUESTION?  Was the "1" and only claim ($756.00) reported by Agraquest; "in the entire 3 years of it's experience period" to the Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau the incident when David Bell had metal fly in his eye at the Agraquest workplace and was taken to the emergency room at Davis-Sutter Hospital by a coworker? If so, why was this not in Bell's employee file?

•According to Dale Kitching of the Sacramento County District Attorney's office; "You don't have to report EVERYTHING".

^watch "Gaming The System" Read ^{the transcript with evidentiary documents HERE}

^{MORE SCIENTIFIC PROOF}

Prior to David Bell's "trial" in the California Workers' Compensation court (September 10, 2007) to prove the causation of Bell's workplace acquired illnesses and diseases were the direct result from his exposure to known and unknown chemicals as well as microorganisms at his former employer, Agraquest, Inc. Agraquest founder and CEO, Pam Marrone (including Denise C. Manker who testified and in fact committed perjury) had full knowledge that some plant diseases [bacterial and fungi] are cross-infective pathogens [disease producing] and infect humans.   Marrone was one of the participants in the November 2006 workshop, Microbial Biopesticides and Transgenic Insecticides - Enhancing Regulatory Communication.
Professor Anne K Vidaver gave her presentation, "Cross-infective microbes: from plants to humans" on November 7 2006. The following day (November 8, 2006) Morrone gave her presentation, Regulatory And Commercialization of Microbial Biopesticides".   During Marrone's presentation, Impact of regulatory activity on emerging companies" she said, "And of course it goes without saying , human environmental safety is what we are talking about at this conference."   **Session 5: Regulation of and impacts on microbial biopesticides. (Moderated by Eldon Ortman, Agricultural research programs, Purdue)  ^See→•    5 - Impact of regulatory activity on emerging companies - Pam Marrone, Marrone Organic Innovations (wmv, 29 Mb)

****Fungi & Bacterium testing positive in David Bell were Cross-Over Pathogens from workplace exposure*

^{READ→ BELL'S MEDICAL & "CROSS-OVER" INFECTIONS} READ→ Why no cultures before 2002?

OF INTEREST:  During Marrone's November 8, 2006 presentation, she makes it clear that there was congressional influence in getting her biocontrol product, Serenade cleared through the EPA:                 ^{WATCH VIDEO→} Microbial Biopesticides and Transgenic Insects- Enhancing Regulatory Communication; Session 5: Regulation of and impacts on microbial biopesticides; Impact of regulatory activity on emerging companies: [Pam Marrone, Marrone Organic Innovations (wmv, 29 Mb)]

What is most frightening is the fact that several members from the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and several biotechnology companies attending the November 2006 workshop were made aware (if they didn't already know) that there is indeed cross infections from plant diseases to humans.  However, this has not been made known to anyone working in the agricultural arena.

One MAJOR CONCERN is Biotechnology companies have been known to use “known plant pathogens” as biocontrol products.  One very good example is the bacteria, Burkholderia cepacia which causes onion skin rot.

Burkholderia cepacia was a biological fungicide for the control of soil-borne fungi on seeds and seedling forestry nurseries, however because of the Center for Disease Control’s intervention it was discontinued in 2000 because of links with lung infections in persons suffering from cystic fibrosis.  Had the Center for Disease Control NOT intercepted with respect to the human health implications of Burkholderia cepacia, we can only assume how may people would have been affected. 
Limitations of the Registration Process: Regulatory Burden (International Symposium on Biopesticides for Developing Countries 2003)

One aspect of FIFRA, which separates it from many other regulatory statutes, is that it provides a means for the EPA to re-evaluate and require further testing after registration if the current science indicates that this is prudent. For example, the bacterium Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia (now cenocepacia) was registered for use as a seed treatment to control fungal diseases of several crops. Researchers also indicated that some strains had great potential as nematicides, a group of chemicals which are typically quite toxic to mammals. Others had even touted the organism as a useful drain cleaner and included it in other, mostly unregulated, products as well. Over the past decade it became apparent that this species (actually a conglomeration of several species or genospecies) was implicated in the decline of patients suffering from Cystic Fibrosis (CF) or Chronic Granulomatous disease. While it is not possible to determine with absolute certainty the probability that agricultural use of this agent will affect the population of CF patients, a science review panel determined that the potential hazard was too high to warrant continuing use of these products in any form. This past year, the manufacturers halted all uses voluntarily after EPA requested significantly more data to examine field dissemination of this bacterium. This move toward cancellation of the product was ultimately a positive one for users of the product and consumers as a whole; however, the companies involved lost significant research and development input into this line of work. While this is not something easily predicted a priori, it is a possible outcome with any new agent, including synthetic chemicals and active microbial or biochemical ingredients, and can influence the survival of a company and even the trust in biopesticides. ~END~


I find it most concerning that the USDA themselves had involvement with Burkholderia cepacia being used as a biocontrol agent.

The above is only ONE EXAMPLE OF USDA’S INVOLVEMENT with Burkholderia cepacia as a biocontrol agent, there are others. Is this the reason the USDA is down-playing cross-over infections from plants to humans?

Another plant pathogen, Aspergillus flavus; which causes system aspergillosis in humans is also being used on cotton fields and peanut crops.

^NEW On the date of January 11, 2010 a SECOND LETTER was sent to the United States Department of Agriculture urging RECONSIDERATION

December 7, 2009 Letter to United States Department of Labor - Secretary of Labor, Hilda L. Solis

November 30, 2009 Letter to United States Attorney General - Department of Justice, Eric Holder

November 30 2009 Letter to California Attorney General - Department of Justice, Jerry Brown

WorkCom Edge Video E"Staying Out of Trouble with OSHA: by tim coomer.  In this video, Mr. Coomer takes you through the; 20 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR) Part 1904; Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illness process.  This clearly shows workplace injury/illness MUST be reported as is mandated by law. David Bell's illness was NEVER reported by Agraquest, in willful violation of both Federal and state of California Labor law and in violation of FIFRA.  Further violations have been committed by the California Department of Insurance, State of California Department of Insurance - Workers' Compensation Fraud Commission and the Sacramento and Yolo County District Attorney Offices - Workers' Fraud Units.

^NEWJune 17, 2009 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE

"Injured Worker's Mother Charges Workers Comp Fraud At CA Fraud Assessment Commission California Department of Insurance, Workers' Compensation Fraud Commission"

^READ→ TRANSCRIPTION (with evidentiary documentation)

•Transcription includes David Bell's transcription of his interview, "Injured Agraquest Biotech Worker David Bell Tells His Story"; includes documentation which supports Bell's claims.

•THIS TRANSCRIPTION IS 110 PAGES  AND IS 17.65MB, BUT WILL OPEN IN A NEW WINDOW AFTER IT IS DOWNLOADED. Although the evidentiary documentation in the transcript of David Bell's interview are "screenshots" only.  All  documents [in full] are on file.

•This further documents the California Department of Insurance, Workers' Compensation Fraud Commission and the Sacramento and Yolo County District Attorney office's [Workers' Compensation Fraud Units] are not prosecuting employers who willfully commit insurance and workers' compensation fraud.

DESCRIPTION:  Injured Worker's Mother Charges Workers Comp Fraud At CA Fraud Assessment Commission". Sandi Trend, the mother of injured Agraquest worker David Bell spoke at the California Fraud Assessment Commission in Sacramento on 6/17/2009 about the illness of her son at the Agraquest company in Davis, California. Trend demanded that the California Fraud Commission investigate the cover-up of fraud by the failure of the District Attorney's to do their job and the role of the owner of Agraquest Pam Marrone in this criminal fraud. She pointed out that the Yolo County DA Daniel Stroski, the Sacramento DA and the Insurance Commission had refused to prosecute Marrone's fraud. This FAC commission does oversight on California District Attorneys prosecuting fraud and dispenses more than $29 million to District Attorney's in California to investigate Workers Comp fraud. However they refuse to go after systemic fraud by the insurance industry bosses and those involved in this case. Pam Marrone and Agraquest conspired to violate health and safety regulations and lied about the injuries of employee David Bell to cover-up their liability. The insurance company Liberty Mutual has also fought David Bell's effort to get his healthcare taken care of.
The FAC commission which is chaired by William Zachry has itself refused to act and the fact that Zachry is also in insurance executive as Vice President of Risk Management for Safeway Inc.

^NEW September 9, 2009 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE

"Injured Worker's Mother Charges Workers Comp Fraud At CA Fraud Assessment Commission California Department of Insurance, Workers' Compensation Fraud Commission"

^{READ→ Transcription of Steve Zeltzer interview of Sandi Trend}

•This futher documents the California Department of Insurance, Workers' Compensation Fraud Commission and the Sacramento and Yolo County District Attorney office's [Workers' Compensation Fraud Units] are not prosecuting employers who wilfully commit insurance and workers' compensation fraud.

Relating video: "Workers Comp, The Destruction Of Ca-OSHA/EPA And The Case Of David Bell"

^{READ→ Transcription of video}

"Labor On The Job" focuses on the case of Agraquest biotech worker David Bell. Bell who worked at the Davis, CA biotech laboratory owned by former Monsanto scientist Pam Marrone was infected with fungus and bacteria while working. He and his family have faced a terrifying battle for healthcare and justice from injuries on the job. Despite the fact that his mother found material in his body that was patented by scientists at the laboratory he has been prevented from getting full healthcare to save his life. The corruption and breakdown of the workers compensation system is connected to the deregulation of workers compensation and the elimination of all medical doctors at Ca-OSHA. Joining the show is his mother Sandi Trend, the last Ca-OSHA doctor Larry Rose and author of "Death On The Job" Daniel Berman. "Labor On The Job" is programmed the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month on San Francisco Cable Channel 29 from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM. "Labor On The Job" is also the longest running labor cable show in the United States since 1983. It is produced and programmed by the Labor Video Project in San Francisco. Labor On The Job also programmed on Philadelphia Drexel TV 54 every Wednesday 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM and St. Louis cable systems on on cable ch. 22 in the "City" of St. Louis Fridays at 9:00 PM The Labor Video Project also produces labor documentaries and is part of the Union Producers and Programmers Network (UPPNET) www.uppnet.org Labor Video Project P.O.Box 720027 San Francisco,CA 94172 Phone (415)282-1908 Fax (415)695-1369 lvpsf(at)labornet.org "Labor On The Job" focuses on the case of Agraquest biotech worker David Bell. Bell who worked at the Davis, CA biotech laboratory owned by former Monsanto scientist Pam Marrone was infected with fungus and bacteria while working. He and his family have faced a terrifying battle for healthcare and justice from injuries on the job. Despite the fact that his mother found material in his body that was patented by scientists at the laboratory he has been prevented from getting full healthcare to save his life. The corruption and breakdown of the workers compensation system is connected to the deregulation of workers compensation and the elimination of all medical doctors at Ca-OSHA. Joining the show is his mother Sandi Trend, the last Ca-OSHA doctor Larry Rose and author of "Death On The Job" Daniel Berman. "Labor On The Job" is programmed the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month on San Francisco Cable Channel 29 from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM. "Labor On The Job" is also the longest running labor cable show in the United ...all » DESCRIPTION: "Labor On The Job" focuses on the case of Agraquest biotech worker David Bell. Bell who worked at the Davis, CA biotech laboratory owned by former Monsanto scientist Pam Marrone was infected with fungus and bacteria while working. He and his family have faced a terrifying battle for healthcare and justice from injuries on the job. Despite the fact that his mother found material in his body that was patented by scientists at the laboratory he has been prevented from getting full healthcare to save his life. The corruption and breakdown of the workers compensation system is connected to the deregulation of workers compensation and the elimination of all medical doctors at Ca-OSHA. Joining the show is his mother Sandi Trend, the last Ca-OSHA doctor Larry Rose and author of "Death On The Job" Daniel Berman. "Labor On The Job" is programmed the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month on San Francisco Cable Channel 29 from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM. "Labor On The Job" is also the longest running labor cable show in the United States since 1983. It is produced and programmed by the Labor Video Project in San Francisco. Labor On The Job also programmed on Philadelphia Drexel TV 54 every Wednesday 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM and St. Louis cable systems on on cable ch. 22 in the "City" of St. Louis Fridays at 9:00 PM The Labor Video Project also produces labor documentaries and is part of the Union Producers and Programmers Network (UPPNET) www.uppnet.org Labor Video Project P.O.Box 720027 San Francisco,CA 94172 Phone (415)282-1908 Fax (415)695-1369 lvpsf(at)labornet.org

There is the article, "CAL OSHA: GOING DOWN THE TUBES?" written by Larry Rose, M.D., former Cal/OSHA Public Health Medical Officer (28 years) in which Dr. Rose is very clear in saying California does not have the protection it needs within the state to protect injured workers. READ→ "CAL OSHA GOING DOWN THE TUBES?"

This document further validates the need for medical doctor's in the California Occupational Safety and Health agency. There are over 17 million worker's in the state of California without a Medical Doctor on board. In the Video, ^{WORKERS COMP, THE DESTRUCTION OF CA-OSHA/EPA AND THE CASE OF DAVID BELL}

Dr. Larry Rose (retired Public Safety Medical Doctor with Cal/OSHA for 28 years and who was the last doctor at Cal/OSHA) is very critical of California's Occupational Safety and Health Administration because when he left California chose to not replace him.  Therefore, Cal/OSHA only has Industrial Hygienists and Compliance Officers for inspections of Hospitals, Medical Centers/Clinics, and Biological Laboratories to name a few.  As Dr. Rose says, "They don't know what they're looking for".

^NEW Becky McClain, injured molecular biologist from Connecticut spoke of the dangers in working in the biotechnology industry during the 2009 Workers Memorial Day event in San Francisco.  Mrs. McClain  also encountered the same plight as David Bell;  NOT KNOWING what she had been exposed to THAT MADE HER SICK ( industry's "TRADE SECRETS"), non-compliance of: the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, agencies within the state of Connecticut, including U.S. Federal Agencies. WATCH VIDEO

^NEW _{February 23, 2009 OPEN LETTER TO APHIS; REGULATORY ANALYSIS AND DEVELOPMENT; PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ON PROPOSED RULE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY REGULATIONS}

INJURED AGRAQUEST BIOTECH WORKER DAVID BELL TELLS HIS STORY video by Labor Video Project ^{WATCH VIDEO}

THE CRIMINAL COVER-UP OF PAM MARRONE's AGRAQUEST OPERATION by Sandi Trend, Mother of David Bell - NOTE:  The Introduction was not written by Sandi Trend ^{VIEW→ HERE} Includes: "FALSE & MISLEADING INFORMATION IN CAL AGGIE ARTICLE CONCERNING DAVID BELL and AGRAQUEST" by Sandi Trend "comments" "LIST OF FUNGUS & BACTERIA RELATING TO DAVID'S EMPLOYMENT AT AGRAQUEST"   "LIST OF HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS FROM THESE PATHOGENS INCLUDING medical peer reviewed references"

Additional Articles, Video's and Audio's relating to David Bell and Agraquest can be found→ ^HERE

HOW WORKERS IN A BIO LAB SHOULD BE PROTECTED

This website contains the horrifying experiences of a biotech worker employed at a biotechnology company with unsafe work conditions and which poses public health threats.   It is a story of exposure and serious illness…abuse, lack of biotech worker’s rights and abandonment by Federal and state agencies, biotech industry and worker’s compensation.  It is about lies and conflicts of interests within the scientific community that pose not only threats to workers, but public health threats.

At 31 years of age David Bell began employment as an "Assistant Researcher" for the research and development company, Agraquest (AQ)  of Davis, California, a company that searches for fungus and bacteria in soils that are not entirely endemic to the United States.  Since 1999, after 10 long years of suffering, David remains seriously ill because of employment with this company.  Read more on this website about his struggles as his battle continues with his health and against public health and safety deceptions within the biotech industry. ^NEW To Jump to when David Bell first got sick, please begin at, HOW DID THIS START? section on this web page.

PUBLIC HEALTH THREATS

"Our common problems are BIOSAFETY and WORKER RIGHTS and Human rights and public health and safety VIOLATIONS regarding biological inventions".

"Both GMO [genetically modified organism] and natural microorganisms MUST be used in a responsible and safe manner",

"Anthrax is a natural bacteria and not a GMO.  But it is one of the major concerns regarding bioterrorism."

"Some microorganisms are dangerous on their own without GE [genetically engineered]."

"The issue is that biotech companies are using their inventions in an unnatural way both in the lab and within the environment without proper safety studies and without proper biocontainment."

"These companies promoting “green” science are not using them in a “green” manner."

"Promoting that their biotech product is “natural” is a way to fool the public into believing that the use of “natural” bacteria applied in an unnatural manner is SAFE."

"David’s exposure proves differently. His story is very important."

Written by a molecular biologist regarding unsafe work conditions and harmful commercial practices within the biotech industry

To better understand what David's ex-employer, Agraquest does (and did when David Bell worked there), the 2001 SF Chronicle article, "Biotechnology Battles Chemical Industry in Pesticide Market, Pam Marrone is out to give germ warfare a good name" ^{read→ HERE} is in itself frightening to not only employees being exposed to known and unknown microorganisms, but keep in mind, these living bacteria and fungus are being used on our food crops and used for insect control.

SF Chronicle article:

"Marrone is the chief executive of AgraQuest Inc., a biotechnology firm in Davis (Yolo County) that uses beneficial bacteria to fight crop diseases. The idea is to use microbes to fight microbes, creating biopesticides that would compete with the chemical variety."

"Last summer, AgraQuest won state and federal approval to market an antifungal agent called Serenade. That's the brand name for a strain of bacteria that AgraQuest scientists found in a handful of dirt from a Fresno farmyard."

"Lab tests showed that the bacterium had an appetite for the fungus that causes bunch rot and mildew in grapes. At that point, AgraQuest went to work on finding a formula to grow the beneficial bug in industrial quantities."

"Although the exact formula is proprietary and therefore secret, this is how AgraQuest goes about creating it. A flask of bacteria is dumped into a 10,000- gallon tank filled with a special food source. Forty-eight hours later, the gooey slime in the tank is harvested. To create a useable product, the bacterial concentrate is dried so that it becomes something resembling powdered chocolate milk."

"We put that powder into 24-pound bags and ship it to the farmer, who dumps it into a spray tank and applies it just like a chemical fertilizer," Marrone said. The product costs about $25 to $50 an acre, which she said is competitive with chemical fungicides.

David was exposed to this subtilis powder and was unprotected; he was told it was "safe" and "wouldn't hurt a fly".  He helped Brian Campbell transfer the subtilis powder from large drums to the 24-pound bags (quoted in the above paragraph).

David found out that the bacteria Bacillus Subtilis wasn't as safe as he had been told when he worked with and around it at Agraquest.  After he left Agraquest (and was still sick) he read about the harm subtilis causes to the human body at the Mayo Clinic Medical Library in Scottsdale, Arizona. ^{read→ Flindt article, Papers that have changed the practice of occupational medicine}

Additionally, David then found numerous other scientific, peer reviewed articles referencing the same ill effects of exposure to subtilis; as was found in 1969 by Flindt, as well as the EPA's, Bacillus subtilis Final Risk Assessment of exposure to Bacillus subtilis ^{read→ HERE}

It is the enzyme, subtilisn which is produced by the bacteria, Bacillus subtilis that causes ill effects to the human body.  Agraquest did not test for the subtilisn enzyme in their Serenade product, Bacillus Subtilis QST 713 until 3 years after David had left Agraquest; on 6/19/2002.  This was an UNPUBLISHED STUDY done by Denise Manker of Agraquest. [This is documented in the European Commission's, ^{view→HEALTH & CONSUMER PROTECTION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL of 2006}

Denise Manker has testified, under oath; during David's workers' compensation trial, that the subtilis that David was exposed to did not contain the enzyme, subtilisn.  She did not reveal to the court that testing for the presence of subtilisn was done by her and was UNPUBLISHED, nor that it wasn't done until 2002, after DAvid had left Agraquest.  Denise Manker also did not reveal to the court that David had also been exposed to another strain of subtilis, Agraquest's strain; QST 153 and did not reveal to the court whether this strain had ever been tested for the presence of subtilisn.

Further, David had been exposed to Agraquest's Bacillus Subtilis QST 713.  In 1999 there were two fermentation submissions of QST 713 to the EPA  from Agraquest in which the EPA only granted Agraquest "Conditional Time-Limited" Registration instead of a full registration as the EPA themselves found fault with it. ^{PLEASE READ THE SECTION Agraquest's QST 713 section of this website.}

David Bell explained his knowledge of Agraquest's process of finding beneficial (living bacteria, including fungi) and what happened when they found it, in his interview, INJURED AGRAQUEST BIOTECH WORKER DAVID BELL TELLS HIS STORY ^{view→ HERE} with Steve Zeltzer, Host of The Labor Video Project:

"They [Agraquest] would go and scour the world around and bring back dirt and rotting plants, decaying material, feces... you name it... anything and culture it at random, in petri dishes and then they would take the pure culture and run it through a screen to see if it might kill a plant... a plant pathogen or maybe a pest of plants... and then it if showed promise then it would further be upped into more... more trials until finally they might consider registering it if it was really a promising candidate."

Steve Zeltzer had asked David whether the organisms were alive and said it was exciting what could be discovered. To this David said:

"Oh absolutely viable... yeah [yes].  That’s the whole thing.... is when you put a biological on a product you don’t really just spray the chemical of the biological... you expect the biological to be viable and propagate and actually grow on the plants.  That’s how the inhibitory effect works."

"It’s cutting edge, it’s definitely cutting edge. I mean you’re culturing and growing species of bacteria and fungi that maybe nobody’s ever catalogued before."

"The biopesticide industry is very much like the beer industry.... ok.  We get the stuff and we have it in a petri dish and it’s in this pure form and then we do what’s a shake flask scale-up to where it moves and it slowly goes up in volume til it gets to big fermentors.  Very much like you make beer.  It’s fermented product."

ARE THE "ACTIVE INGREDIENT's" IN AGRAQUEST's PRODUCTS CONSIDERED CHEMICALS? ACCORDING TO THE EPA, THEY ARE:

It is rather odd, although Agraquest purports to not be using chemicals in their biological products, that the "active" ingredient/s of their products are in fact listed as chemicals in the above EPA's Pesticide Data Submitters List; BY ACTIVE CHEMICAL CODE. ^{VIEW EPA DOCUMENT→ HERE}

SEVERE LACK OF FEDERAL AND STATE OF CALIFORNIA  BIO-SAFETY CONCERNS FOR THE AMERICAN WORKER AND/OR THE ENVIRONMENT

HISTOPLASMA (fungus) WAS IDENTIFIED IN DAVID's BLOOD SERUM

Numerous Letters and e-mails were sent to Federal and State Agencies after the fungus Histoplasma was discovered in David Bell's blood serum by the Arizona Mayo Clinic in 2003.

Upon extensive search for the relationship to this fungi being at AQ at the time David was employed there it was discovered that 3 months and 15 days after David began employment at AQ Pam Marrone filed an application (number 09/199,871)  for United States patent 6,004,774 ^{view→ HERE} which said the invention "may be used to treat human fungal diseases in which the disseminated disease is a condida, for example, Aspergillus sp, Histoplasma sp. and Tinea sp." .  Additionally, Pamela Gail Marrone was "first named inventor" on United States patent 6,004,774 ^{view→ HERE .}

It was also discovered that on 1/22/1999, four days after David first sought emergency medical care,  the four AQ scientists who are listed as inventors on this patent started signing away their interest rights on the patent to the company, Agritope in Beaverton, Oregon. ^{view→ HERE}

LACK OF FEDERAL AND STATE OF CALIFORNIA AGENCIES RELATED TO DAVID BELL AND HIS WORKPLACE EXPOSURE AT AQ:

On 4/29/2004 an  e-mail was sent to the ^{[view] → United States Department of Human Health Services letter/e-mail} informing the agency what had happened to David Bell while working at AQ, help was also requested from the HHS. At this same time, the e-mail was also cc'd to the WHITE HOUSE, CDC, NIOSH, SENATOR BOXER, SENATOR FEINSTEIN, OSHA and CAL/OSHA. (a certified letter was also sent to CDC on 5/1/2004) ^{view HHS email→ HERE} The 6/4/2004 reply from HHS  was, "unfortunately, we can't [help]" ^{view email→ HERE} Additionally, received per the certified letter sent to HHS was a letter from Lauren Burwell, Mycotic Disease Branch of the CDC (8/10/2004).  Ms. Burwell stated, "..we do not have authority over the safety of workers in industrial laboratory settings." "I encourage you to continue to work with your local and state health departments. ^{view letter→ HERE} A reply was sent to the 8/10/2004 letter received from Ms. Burwell in which again was stated the urgency and concerns regarding the histoplasma found in David's blood serum and the relation to this human pathogen being at the AQ workplace in the first place coupled with the risks to the environment. ^{view letter→ HERE}

The 6/30/2004 response from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) concerning the AQ occupationally acquired Histoplasma merely said, "NIOSH can respond only to requests from current employees, their collective bargaining representatives, or the employer". ^{view letter→ HERE}

NIOSH did however send a copy of the letter they had received concerning David Bell and AQ  to Cal/OSHA and the Yolo County Health Department.  Over a month had passed before a response was received from the former Health Officer/Director of the Yolo County Health Department, Bette G. Hinton.  Ms. Hinton said in her 8/2/2004 response letter that the 2nd AQ location at 1530 Drew Avenue in Davis, Ca had been inspected by Cal/OSHA and stated, "with findings that do not suggest "ongoing exposure" to Histoplasma organism". ^{view letter→ HERE}

Ms. Hinton was immediately notified that where David had gotten sick was at the 1st AQ location at 1105 Kennedy Place in Davis, Ca. and "not" the Drew Avenue location where Cal/OSHA inspected. There was never a reply from Ms. Hinton concerning this fact.  It is only known that AQ's Drew Avenue location was inspected by Cal/OSHA one time per the documented citation and fine they received for "several illegal fume-hoods" ^{view documents→ HERE}

As of this date, 1/21/2009 there has never been an inspection of the 1105 Kennedy Place building nor the grounds surrounding the building where AQ "dumped" liquid substances down the so-called "drain" that was merely a hollowing out in the concrete that led directly onto the ground per requests from the City of Davis residents. ( ^{See article} Agraquest's Research Microbial Lab In The Residential Neighborhood" on this page to view a picture of the "drain" ).

Additionally notified was the U.S. federal regulatory agency, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with several e-mail communications with respect to Histoplasma, AQ and the company's connection to this fungus found in David Bell. ^{view EPA e-mail documentation→ HERE _{The end result was in essence, nothing.}}

It should be noted that hazardous waste/toxic substances had been removed from AQ's 1105 Kennedy Place location & 1530 Drew Ave. view California Department of Toxic Substance reports on AQ CAL000170815 → HERE , and California Department of Toxic Substance reports on AQ  CAL000104458→ HERE , as well as from the CEO and founder, Pam Marrone's other start-up company, NovoNordisk - ENTOTECH in Davis, Ca. site, which was the exact same type of biotechnology research and development company as AQ. ^{view California Department of Toxic Substance reports on Entotech/Novo Nordisk→ CAL000051388 HERE} and ^{California Department of Toxic Substance reports on Entotech/Novo Nordisk→ CAL000060309 HERE} Therefore, the same type of "hazardous waste/toxic substances" (biological and chemicals) would have been believed to have been at the same location where David got so sick and It is feared what this residential neighborhood with apartments and senior housing have been exposed to. ^{List of Toxics removed found → HERE}

INFECTIONS FROM NATURAL FUNGI CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS

^NEW The disease producing bacteria and fungus of plants and insects that were tested in the AQ laboratory (and medical testing showing positive in David) are "known" to also cause diseases and even death in humans. ^{view the linkable chart, click →HERE}

^NEW Written by David Bell, (DATE: 1/20/2009): "This is about 1/2 hour ago, right after a rinse. this occurs at least monthly." "I warn you, this video is not for the weak stomach." ^{view VIDEO→ HERE}

"...and then there is this if you want to see the black".

Sincerely, David Bell

Nineteen (19) microorganisms, both bacteria and fungus have tested "positive" in David's blood, nose and/or sputum cultures and/or IgG levels (showing levels of exposure) can be all be traced to David's workplace exposure from working at AQ. ^{Fully linkable chart relating to Agraquest connections and David Bell's health can be viewed → HERE}

AQ denies any and all responsibility and as you will read on this website, they have done everything in their power to circumvent the "truth" from being known as to their "sole" responsibility of David's first major emergency sinus surgery after only 5 months and 9 days at the company, but also his continuing infections, illness and diseases that have led to 3 additional major sinus surgeries (numerous in office sinus procedures and the loss of an intact immune system which resulted in 3 years (every 28 days) of IV Immunoglobulin infusions at  the hospital. These infusions ranged in costs between $7,0000 to $15,000 for each infusion.  As of the end of 2005, David's medical bills were over $333,000.00 and they have continued to climb. ^{View Totals Billed and Payments→ HERE} (This is a 25.5 MB pdf file and my be slow to load.  Please rotate the viewing window for easy reading)

HOW DID THIS START?

On January 18, 1999 David Bell left work early and went directly to Immediate Care Medical Clinic, where he saw Dr. Dorothy Peterson.  He had been sick prior to this; throwing up and had bloody pus draining from his nose.  He also had a fever, cough, was congested and had lost his appetite for 3 days.  He had a fever of 100.2 when he saw  Dr. Peterson.

David was prescribed the broad spectrum antibiotic, Zithromax and was told by Dr. Peterson to see an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist immediately.  VIEW→ Dr. Peterson Chart Note of 1/18/1999

Shortly thereafter, on 1/21/1999 upon Dr. Peterson's advice to see an ENT immediately, David saw Dr. McKennan at Sacramento ENT . VIEW→ Sacramento ENT Medical History Form At this time David was now experiencing numbness on the left side of his face (including his teeth). VIEW→ Dr. McKennan chart notes of 1/21/1999 which reflect:

•"Mr. Bell is an, otherwise, healthy 31-year-old male, who comes in because of symptoms of acute left facial pain and numbness.  He had flue-like illness last week.  He ran a fever a was placed on Zithromax."

•"First, his left upper teeth became painful and then the left part of his face and teeth became numb."

•"He has chronic allergies."

•"I advised continued use of Vicodin for pain relief, hot and cold compresses.  I advised Neo-Synephrine 3 to 4 times a day to promote sinus drainage.  Once the Zithromax is finished I will start him on Cefzil."

•"I have ordered a stat CT scan of the sinuses."

•"He may require urgent drainage.

"VIEW→ RADIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF SACRAMENT MEDICAL GROUP, (Dr. David J. Seidenwurm) cat scan results of David Bell

Dr. Nancy Appelblatt of Sacramento ENT then became involved in David's medical care. On 1/25/1999, 7 days after David first sought emergency medical care, Dr. Appelblatt scheduled the first of what would become four (4) major sinus surgery's on David. VIEW→ Sacramento ENT Surgery Scheduling (Dr. Appelblatt also performed David's second sinus surgery in 2002.)

Dr. Nancy Appelblatt’s Operative Report of David Bell’s first sinus surgery on February 3, 1999 can be viewed here→ PAGE 1 , PAGE 2

•Although these subpoenaed pages from Sacramento ENT are extremely hard to read, it is without a doubt that David was in dire need of this surgery.  Within the pages you will read that during the surgery “a large cyst was encountered, it immediately ruptured” and concerning the polyp that was found by Dr. Appelblatt, “There was no obvious infection other than the polyp at this time”.

•Cysts as well as polyps can be the byproduct of bacteria and fungal exposure, and it is well known that David was exposed to these microorganisms in his every day work environment at Agraquest.  Medical documentation of this can be seen  on the linkable chart,
VIEW→ Disease From Bacteria & Fungus In Agraquest Workplace Although this chart only applies to the bacteria and fungus testing positive in David, it is only a fraction of the medical conditions and diseases caused as a result of bacterial and fungal exposure.

Given the fact that David had been put on so many medications in the sixteen (16) days between his first seeking emergency medical care and the 2/3/1999 sinus surgery; it is questioned WHY Dr. Appelblatt, months later told David, “I guess I forgot to culture”. Dr. Appelblatt  had in fact told David and his family that she had saved his life.