Cancer-Causing Pesticide Use Rising in California

Use of Most Toxic Pesticides Reaches Record High in Ventura County

Total Pesticide Use at All Time High in Santa Barbara County

VENTURA—Use of cancer-causing pesticides in California has more than doubled in the past 8 years, up 127% between 1991 and 1998, according to a report released today. 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, authored by Pesticide Action Network, 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.

“Pesticide use trends show that California is hooked on toxic pesticides,” stated Margaret Reeves, Ph.D., staff scientist at Pesticide Action Network. “Use of the most toxic pesticides, including carcinogens remains alarmingly high, indicating that the state is on the wrong track.”

“As a cancer survivor, I am deeply disturbed, but more important -  as a parent I am appalled that we knowingly, legally are increasing use of carcinogenic pesticides in California,” said Elise Wright, Board Member of Community & Children’s Advocates Against Pesticide Poisoning.  “Common sense and medical science tell us that the most sensible way to approach cancer is to prevent it before it starts. We need to adopt a precautionary approach and phase out the use of cancer-causing pesticides.”

Between 1991 and 1998 more than 1.5 billion pounds of pesticides were applied in California.  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.

  Ventura county ranks tenth among all 58 California counties for overall pesticide use, and sixth for use of the most toxic, “California Bad Actor” pesticides. Overall use in Ventura county increased from 4.9 million pounds in 1991 to 6.6 million pounds in 1998 with a peak in 1996. Use of carcinogenic pesticides in Ventura county increased from 260,000 pounds in 1991 to 440,000 pounds in 1998. In Ventura county, the top crops for carcinogenic pesticide use are celery, strawberries, leaf lettuce and spinach.

  The three top “California Bad Actor” pesticides most heavily used include methyl bromide a developmental toxicant and acute poison; chloropicrin, an acute poison; and metam sodium, a carcinogen and developmental toxicant.

  Santa Barbara county ranks 15th among all 58 California counties for overall pesticide use, and eighth for use of the most toxic, “California Bad Actor” pesticides. Overall use in Santa Barbara county increased from 3.1 million pounds in 1991 to an all time high of 4.0 million pounds in 1998. Use of carcinogenic pesticides in Santa Barbara county increased from 370,000 pounds in 1991 to 1.04 million pounds in 1998. In Santa Barbara county, the top crops for carcinogenic pesticide use are carrots, leaf lettuce, head lettuce and broccoli.

  The three top “California Bad Actor” pesticides most heavily used include metam sodium, a carcinogen and developmental toxicant; methyl bromide a developmental toxicant and acute poison; and chloropicrin, an acute poison.

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 US Environmental Protection Agency take a proactive stance to reduce pesticide use, including the following elements:

∑    Phase out 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

  “Currently state and federal agencies have an inadequate, haphazard patchwork of programs and regulations to promote alternatives—but pesticide use trends show these efforts aren’t nearly enough,” said Stephan Orme, data specialist at Pesticide Action Network and report co-author. “We need to see 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 (PUR) 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.

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To order a copy of Hooked on Poison: Pesticide Use in California 1991-1998, call Californians for Pesticide Reform, 888-CPR-4880 (in California) or visit www.igc.org/cpr.

Californians for Pesticide Reform is a coalition of over 130 organizations in California dedicated to turning the tide on toxic pesticide use.

Pesticide Action Network is an international coalition of over 400 citizens groups in more than 60 countries working to oppose the misuse of pesticides and to promote sustainable and ecologically sound pest management.