Lawmakers Pass Landmark Pesticide Legislation

Subject:   Lawmakers Pass Landmark Pesticide Legislation
Date:      Sat, 29 Apr 2000 12:11:50 -0400
From:        Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization:     Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)

To:     Lyndon Hawkins <hawkins@empm.cdpr.ca.gov>
          Senior Research Scientist
          State of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation - Integrated Pest Management

Dear Lyndon: I thought you might be interested in the following news release. Massachusetts has become the first state in the nation to ban the use of your most dangerous "registered" pesticide poisons in their schools and day care centers!

Massachusetts will become the first state in the nation to ban the use of the most dangerous chemical pesticides in schools and day care centers under legislation engrossed by the House of Representatives today. The Senate is expected to endorse the minor changes made by the House later today and the Cellucci/Swift administration has expressed strong support for the bill. The move by the Legislature was hailed by public health and environmental advocates who were prepared to take the measure to the ballot this fall. "First and foremost, this bill is about safeguarding children's health," said Paul Burns, Environmental Attorney with MASSPIRG. "No longer will we allow children to be unknowingly and unnecessarily exposed to toxic pesticides in and around schools and day care facilities."

The bill, known as the "Children's and Families' Protection Act," will prohibit the use higher risk pesticides in schools and day care centers and provide prior notification to parents and teachers when outdoor pesticides are to be used. It will also promote safer alternatives to pesticides in various settings including schools and at all state-owned properties. Finally, the bill will establish a statewide pesticide registry that would make pesticide use data broadly available to the public.

"The legislature today has taken a significant step to limit the risks of pesticides to children and families. I am thankful for all the contributions and support of citizens and environmental groups who have been in the vanguard of pushing this issue to the forefront," said Representative Douglas Petersen (D-Marblehead), chief House sponsor of the legislation.

Numerous scientific studies have shown pesticides to be more harmful to children, and at lower doses, than to they are to adults. Common symptoms of exposure include headaches, dizziness, respiratory distress, nausea, sore throats, and rashes and skin irritation. School pesticide exposures have also been linked to serious and life-threatening conditions including acute poisonings, asthma attacks and abnormal heart rhythms.

A recent report released by the United States General Accounting Office (GAO) found that although "underreporting is a known problem for pesticide poisoning surveillance systems in ... schools", data from the nation's Poison Control Centers show that from 1993 through 1996, about 2,300 pesticide exposures at U.S. schools were reported. Of these exposures, at least 329 individuals were treated in health care facilities, with at least 4 requiring intensive care treatment. "The passage of this bill will make us a leader in preventing harmful pesticides from reaching children. It is important we make every effort to protect our vulnerable young who have no idea of the significant health risks presented by pesticides," said Paul Haley (D-Weymouth),Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

"Our children spend most of their day in our schools and they deserve a safe and healthy learning environment free from unnecessary toxic pesticides," added Bob Durand, Secretary of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. Secretary Durand is a longtime proponent of the legislation and is the lead signatory on the initiative petition that was likely made moot by the legislative action. In addition to making schools safer for children to study and play, the new legislation will be a boon to researchers attempting to study the link between chemicals and cancer, and to citizens who simply want to know more about the use of toxic pesticides in their neighborhood.

"By arming citizens with more information about when and how they may be exposed to harmful chemicals, we make it possible for people to begin to defend themselves," said Matthew Wilson, Executive Director of Toxics Action Center.

MASSPIRG has been leading efforts to pass pesticide reform legislation in the state for several years. Dozens of organizations have supported such legislation including the Mass. PTA, the Mass. Medical Society, the Mass. League of Women Voters, Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility, the Mass. Teachers Association, the Mass. Breast Cancer Coalition, Mass. Audubon Society, the Environmental League of Mass., and Toxics Action Center.

"This legislation puts Massachusetts at the head of the class in terms of reducing the risk of pesticide exposure, honoring the public's right to know, and promoting safer alternatives," said MASSPIRG's Burns. Advocates singled out Representative Petersen for praise, citing his unwavering leadership on the matter. "Chairman Petersen truly distinguished himself through his commitment to this issue and his tenacity in pushing for strong legislation," said Burns. Chairman Haley was also lauded for his role in moving the legislation rapidly through the House.

MASSPIRG is the largest nonprofit environmental and consumer advocacy organization in Massachusetts with over 50,000 members.

Well Lyndon, the people are clearly speaking - are you listening? When will it be "legal" (in your opinion) to use safe and far more effective alternatives to actually control pest problems in California? Do you want to protect the children or do you want to continue to "legally" contaminate them with your "registered" POISONS?

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