PANUPS: Lawsuit Targets Pesticide Air Pollution

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PANUPS: Lawsuit Targets Pesticide Air Pollution

Wed, 19 Jan 2005 12:32:14 -0800

 

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P A N U P S

Pesticide Action Network Updates Service

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Lawsuit Targets Pesticide Air Pollution

January 19, 2005

 

 

Today, PANNA and a number of environmental health and community groups

sued California's Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) for failing

to uphold the Toxic Air Contaminant (TAC) law. The law, enacted in

1984, requires DPR to assess pesticides as potential air contaminants,

and

to regulate them in order to protect public health.

 

More than 900 pesticides are registered in California, yet in the last

20 years DPR has completed the review process for only four. Of the 172

million pounds of pesticides used in 2002 in the state, more than 90%

are prone to drifting from application sites as airborne toxins.

 

Pesticides are a major component of air pollution in California's

Central Valley. According to the California Air Resources Board,

pesticides

are among the top three contributors to ozone pollution (smog) in the

San Joaquin Valley, and account for nearly 10% of the ozone-forming

gases produced in the region. High levels of ozone trigger asthma attacks

and exacerbate other respiratory illnesses. In 2002, asthma rates in

Fresno County were the highest in the state, and the third highest in the

nation. Nearly one-third of pesticides used in California are also

associated with serious chronic and acute health problems, such as cancer

or nervous system damage.

 

" Millions of Californians are exposed to airborne pesticides against

their will. Like secondhand smoke, these 'secondhand pesticides' put us

at risk of serious health problems such as asthma, cancer and

neurological damage, " said Susan Kegley of Pesticide Action Network.

" For over 20

years, DPR has ignored its duty to uphold the Toxic Air Contaminant law

and shirked its responsibility to protect the health of Californians. "

 

Pesticides are the largest source of toxic substances released into the

environment in California. In 2002, pesticide use accounted for the

release of 5.7 times more toxic materials to the environment than

manufacturing, mining, or refining facilities, as reported through U.S

EPA's

Toxic Release Inventory. If enforced, the TAC law would provide an

important tool to reduce a major source of Central Valley air pollution.

 

" When state agencies like DPR refuse to implement the law, communities

like mine suffer the consequences, " said John Mataka of Grayson

Neighborhood Council in Stanislaus County. " Pesticides are a double

health

hazard because they're toxic and they cause air pollution. Here in the

San

Joaquin Valley, we breathe polluted air, have the highest rates of

asthma in the state and suffer from other chronic diseases like cancer

because DPR allows industrial agriculture to continue with business as

usual. "

 

The lawsuit was filed by Pesticide Action Network North America,

Californians for Pesticide Reform, Grayson Neighborhood Council, Wishtoyo

Foundation/Ventura Coastkeeper, Neighbors at Risk, Association of

Irritated Residents, and Community and Children's Advocates Against

Pesticide

Poisoning. The plaintiffs want DPR to comply with its duty under TAC to

assess pesticide toxic air pollutants, to take action to reduce the

health impacts of these air pollutants, and to comply with the

sections of

the law requiring public transparency and input, including review by an

independent Scientific Review Panel and substantive cooperation with

California's Air Resources Board and Office of Environmental Health

Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). The plaintiffs also seek to ensure that risk

assessment and mitigation measures for pesticide air pollutants are

completed and implemented on a timely schedule.

 

Source: Press Release, PANNA and Californians for Pesticide Reform,

January 19, 2005.

Contact: PANNA.

 

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