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P A N U P S
Pesticide Action Network Updates Service
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Cancer-Causing Pesticide Use Rising in California
May 3, 2000
PANNA Report Shows Total Use Remains Alarmingly High
Use of cancer-causing pesticides in California has more than doubled
in the past eight years, up 127% between 1991 and 1998, according to
a report released by the Pesticide Action Network North America
(PANNA). Since 1996, use of carcinogens has remained within 0.5
million pounds of the highest level ever reported, with no downward
trend in sight. The report, Hooked on Poison: Pesticide Use in
California 1991-1998, was released by the statewide coalition
Californians for Pesticide Reform. The coalition was joined by
cancer and health organizations and physicians who signed a joint
letter to Governor Davis calling for leadership to end the use of
carcinogenic pesticides.
Between 1991 and 1998 more than 1.5 billion pounds of pesticides
were applied in California including agricultural and
non-agricultural uses. Hooked on Poison finds that total reported
pesticide use rose 40% between 1991 and 1998, and that over the last
three years, use has remained at alarmingly high levels. These use
patterns show no trend toward decreasing dependence on toxic
pesticides.
Approximately one-third of pesticides used in 1998 are known to be
particularly toxic to humans. These pesticides are classified as
acute poisons, carcinogens, neurotoxins, reproductive or
developmental toxins or are known to have contaminated groundwater
in California. Use of these most hazardous, "California Bad Actor"
pesticides rose sharply between 1991 and 1998 from 50.4 million
pounds to 63.9 million pounds, peaking in 1995.
The total pounds of pesticides used on California cropland increased
51% between 1991 and 1998 -- from 129 million pounds of active
ingredients to 195 million pounds. During this same time period, the
number of acres planted remained approximately constant. The result
was a dramatic increase in intensity of pesticide use--up 60% from
14.4 to 23 pounds per acre. One quarter of all pesticides used in
the U.S. are applied in California, even though planted acreage in
the State represents only 2-3% of total U.S. cropland. Crops that
have the highest intensity of pesticide use are strawberries, dates,
sweet potatoes, pears and lemons.
Use of pesticides outside of agriculture is extremely difficult to
estimate. Only 7% of reported pesticide use falls in this category;
however, pesticide sales data indicate that many more pounds of
pesticides are applied but not reported. This gross underestimate is
due to the fact that there are no requirements to report consumer
pesticide use (estimated to be about 20% of total use) and some
institutional and manufacturing uses. Non-agricultural applications
of pesticides are of particular concern because they are applied in
close proximity to where large numbers of people live and work.
The report finds that government agencies have no coherent,
long-term strategy guiding growers and other users to transition
their pest control practices to least-toxic approaches. It
recommends that the California Department of Pesticide Regulation
and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency take a proactive stance to
reduce pesticide use, including the following elements:
* Phaseout use of the worst pesticides, including carcinogens, acute
poisons, reproductive and developmental toxicants, neurotoxins and
pesticides that are known to contaminate California groundwater.
* Increase funding and grower support for a transition to
least-toxic pest control.
According to PANNA, state and federal agencies currently have an
"inadequate, haphazard patchwork of programs and regulations to
promote alternatives--but pesticide use trends show these efforts
aren't nearly enough. PANNA calls for a comprehensive plan to
research and promote sustainable agriculture."
The report analyzed data from the California Department of Pesticide
Regulation annual pesticide use reports from 1991 to 1998, the
latest year for which data is available. The Pesticide Use Reporting
system tracks use of pesticide active ingredients used commercially
in agricultural and urban applications. It does not include consumer
or most institutional uses of pesticides.
Copies of Hooked on Poison: Pesticide Use in California 1991-1998,
are available from Pesticide Action Network North America at (415)
981-1771. Free to California residents; US$10 for all others. The
report is also available at http://www.panna.org.
Source/contact: Pesticide Action Network North America.
PANUPS is a weekly email news service providing resource guides and
reporting on pesticide issues that don't always get coverage by the
mainstream media. It's produced by Pesticide Action Network North
America, a non-profit and non-governmental organization working to
advance sustainable alternatives to pesticides worldwide.
You can join our efforts! We gladly accept donations for our work
and all contributions are tax deductible in the United States. Visit
our extensive web site at www.panna.org to learn more about getting
involved.
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Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA)
49 Powell St., Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94102 USA
Phone: (415) 981-1771
Fax: (415) 981-1991
Email: panna@panna.org
Web: http://www.panna.org
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