We need to do something about this and we have little time.
You need to do something, even if you don’t live in California, this needs to be stopped because California is the largest Strawberry producing State.
So what’s so awful about methyl iodide? Well, it is a carcinogen, a neuro-toxin and anyone who studies it uses the utmost precautions, from gloves, to respirators and they want to spray this on the soil that we grow our food in!
According The Pesticide Action Network methyl bromide is known by the State of California to cause cancer and can be used in the lab with great predictability to do so!
This pesticide is used on the soil before strawberries are planted and tarped to kill anything in the soil. But according to the report by the Department of Pesticide Regulation it’s just beyond uncontrollable. This threatens our water safety, worker safety and public health. Why would we approve such a toxic product to be put anywhere near our food?
Based on the data available, we know that methyl iodide is a highly toxic chemical and we expect that any anticipated scenario for the agricultural or structural fumigation use of this agent would result in exposures to a large number of the public and thus would have a significant adverse impact on the public health. Due to the potent toxicity of methyl iodide, its transport in and ultimate fate in the environment, adequate control of human exposure would be difficult, if not impossible.
Do you need to read more? We need to act now, not just in California but all over the US, to stop this poison from being approved for use in California because much of what we grow here is eaten elsewhere.
And it’s not too late for the rest of the Country either! Pending this review by California, the EPA says it will reconsider the decision, we can also ask the EPA to revoke the use of this pesticide on our food. We must!
TAKE ACTION»
Call The Governor
Methyl iodide is so reliably carcinogenic that it’s used in the lab to cause cancer. Scientists say it “cannot be used safely,” yet DPR has proposed approval. We have until the end of June to register public concern. Call Governor & demand that methyl iodide not be approved: (916) 445-2841
Sign the Petition to EPA
Public comments accepted through June 29. Sign our petition to say no to methyl iodide.
Email the Department of Pesticide Regulation
Submit your comment to CA DPR by emailing here: [email protected]
3.31.10 :: A Legal Petition was submitted to U.S. EPA urging a rethinking of their national decision. Sign the petition.
24 hours to stop methyl iodide. Please call now.Key Sacramento representatives have the opportunity to block the registration of methyl iodide in California during the next two days. They need to hear from you in order to take action. Tell them that our health and water are too important to compromise with a chemical that causes cancer, late-term miscarriages and “chronic, irreversible brain damage.”
Instructions: Political insiders tell us that one phone call is worth dozens of emails.
1) Call California Senators & Assemblymembers, using the suggested talking points to get you started. Below, you will see Senator & Assembly members’ phone numbers. Make your call, then;
2) Tell a Friend with the feature below.
Talking points for your call:
I am calling to ask [Assemblymember/ Senator X] to ensure that methyl iodide is not registered for agricultural use in California. As you consider the budget of the Department of Pesticide Regulation, I urge you to ensure the Governor is unable to register toxic methyl iodide.
As a resident of California, I am extremely concerned about the health and environmental effects of this toxic chemical and believe it is the responsibility of the Senate and DPR to protect me and my family from such poisonous substances. Although I support the decision to phase out methyl bromide, I don’t think replacing one dangerous chemical with another upholds this responsibility in any way, especially when alternatives exist. From farms like Swanton Berry to strawberry giants like Driscoll, farmers know how to grow strawberries and other fruits and vegetables without toxic fumigants.
I am so concerned about methyl iodide because:
» Methyl Iodide is a known carcinogen, a thyroid disrupter, a neurotoxin and may cause miscarriages.
» It is used in laboratories to create cancer cells for scientific research.
» Methyl Iodide will contaminate our groundwater.
Call these Assemblymembers and Senators
Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny (D), Chair – Imperial
(Southern San Diego, all Imperial County, Coachella, Chula Vista, El Centro, Calexico, Imperial Beach)
916-651-4040Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (D) Vice Chair – Van Nuys
(Van Nuys, Northridge)
916-319-2040Senator Mark Leno (D) – San Francisco
(San Francisco, Marin, West Sonoma)
916-651-4003Senator Alan Lowenthal (D) – Long Beach
(Long Beach, Bellflower, Artesia, Bellflower)
916-651-4027Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes (D) – Los Angeles
(North Hollywood, Pacoima, San Fernando, Panorama City)
916-319-2039Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D) – East Bay
(Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Oakland, Moraga, Richmond)
916-319-2014
An objection to methyl bromide, among other things, is that it destroys the ozone layer. CA, & I believe some other states’ farms, have been using the stuff under an exemption, but US and international ozone preserving treaties and regulations require it to be phased out.
Methyl iodide is an “improvement” because the pollution stays down closer to our level and gets into the water, etc.
So one thing you may hear is, “Do you want to destroy the ozone layer?”
As the post points out, successful strawberry growers have figured out how to get by without either of them. The two methyls are not our only choices.
It might be a good idea to make that point right at the outset in calls or emails, just to head off the likely reflex defense from Big Poison.