Amendment on Military Use of Pesticides

Senate Passes Boxer Amendment on Military Use of Pesticides - Measure would ban routine use of highly toxic chemicals in areas used by children

Subject:   Senator Boxer's Amendment---
Date:      Wed, 14 Jun 2000 17:53:53 -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 like to know how to find your senators' telephone numbers; if you do, go to: http://www.senate.gov/contacting/index.cfm

Lyndon, I thought you might like to read the following press release: That notes the great news that the Senator Boxer's bill was passed overwhelmingly today. HOWEVER, it could still be tossed "in conference" ... so, for those who are interested, please call your Senators and Representatives and tell them to support the "Amendment on Military Use of Pesticides"

Senate Passes Boxer Amendment on Military Use of Pesticides - Measure would ban routine use of highly toxic chemicals in areas used by children. - June 13, 2000.

Washington, DC - The Senate today passed an amendment by U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) which would ban the Defense Department's routine use of certain highly toxic pesticides in areas used by children. Boxer's amendment to the Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations bill passed on a roll-call vote of 84 to 14.

Boxer said, "The Defense Department has developed good policies to prevent the use of toxic pesticides. This amendment would codify current DoD policy so that the children of our military personnel are not exposed to toxic pesticides that have been linked to cancer and learning disabilities."

Boxer's amendment prohibits the use of funds for the routine application of certain highly toxic pesticides -- those containing a known or probable carcinogen or an acute nerve toxin and those of the organophosphate, carbamate, or organochlorine class - in any area owned or managed by the DoD that may be used by children. Such areas include parks, base housing, recreation centers, playgrounds, and daycare facilities. By banning only "preventative" use of the listed classes of pesticide, the amendment permits their use if needed to meet an emergency such as an encephalitis outbreak.

Boxer is the author of the Children's Environmental Protection Act, a comprehensive bill that would set all federal environmental standards at levels that protect children.

As steps toward this goal, Boxer has offered relevant amendments to a variety of bills over the years. Her child safety amendment to the Safe Drinking Water Act is now law; her amendment requiring parental notification before harmful pesticides are used on schoolyards or playgrounds passed the Senate earlier this year; and her amendment to protect children around Superfund sites was approved by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. "Most of our environmental laws were designed to protect the average 155-pound adult male," Boxer said. "We now know that children are more vulnerable to the dangers posed by toxic compounds and other environmental pollutants. That is why I am working to 'childproof' our environmental laws. I appreciate the Senate's support in this effort."

Well Lyndon, are you in favor or against this bill? Will you ever decide in writing to state any of your opinions?

(Editor's Note: Now that children on military bases will be protected, how about the rest of us?)

TOP
If you would like to be included in our mailing list for continuing information on pesticides, Email Us. with "subscribe" in the subject line.

Nontoxic Products Recommended by Steve Tvedten

Now Available

Safe 2 Use Products and Services