Fumigant Pesticides Put Central Coast Communities At Risk

by via Californians for Pesticide Reform

Wed, Apr 8, 2015 3:13PM

Fumigants are outdated, and a toxic technology that undermines soil health, and safe replacements are needed to grow food on the Central Coast, concludes a new report released by Californians for Pesticide Reform (see PDF). The report examines data that revealed cancer-causing chloropicrin is in the air where Monterey County children live and play, and shares monitoring results that confirm chloropicrin in the city of Watsonville’s air poses an increased cancer risk, despite state required “safer tarps” and "buffer zones". Chloropicrin detections found in Watsonville translate into significantly increased cancer risk for people who live near fields, the report states.

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In 2012, Monterey County was the sixth highest pesticide use county in the state, applying more than 9.2 million pounds of agricultural pesticides. Half (50%) of this use came from just five fumigants: chloropicrin, Telone, methyl bromide, metam sodium and metam potassium. That same year, Santa Cruz County applied 1.7 million pounds of agricultural pesticides, with more than 80% of this use coming from the same five fumigants.

Californians for Pesticide Reform urges the California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation to immediately protect Californians by:

1. Establishing protection zones
2. Requiring neighbor notification for all fumigants
3. Developing stronger regulations on chloropicrin use
4. Commitment to reduce fumigant use

Californians for Pesticide Reform
http://www.PesticideReform.org

§Fumigant Use on Strawberry Crops

by via Californians for Pesticide Reform

Wed, Apr 8, 2015 3:13PM

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§Chloropicrin Use Near School in Monterey County

by via Californians for Pesticide Reform

Wed, Apr 8, 2015 3:13PM

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More chloropicrin by pounds was applied within ¼-mile of Monterey County public schools than any other pesticide, according to the California Department of Public Health study, Agricultural Pesticide Use Near Public Schools in California, April 2014 (p. 69—53,860 pounds).

Chloropicrin concentrations in the air at Salinas Airport exceeded Department of Pesticide Regulation health screening levels in 2013 by 40%, according to the Cal EPA and DPR’s “Air monitoring network results for 2013, Volume 3,” December 2014.

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