NEWS RELEASE

For Release:                                    For More Information:
July 14th, 1999                                 Susan Kegley, Ph.D.,  Staff Scientist
                                                         Pesticide Action Network,
                                                        (415)981-1771

Joan Clayburgh, Californians for Pesticide Reform, (415)981-3939x5

Upward Trend in Dangerous Pesticide Use Continues in California

Use of pesticides that are nerve poisons, cause cancer or are reproductive toxins continues to increase dramatically in California, according to statistics for pesticide use between 1991 and 1997 recently released by CalEPA's Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR).

According to a Pesticide Action Network (PAN) analysis of the state's data from 1991 to 1997:
 

• Use of pesticides which cause cancer increased 81%, from over 31 million pounds in 1991 to over 56 million pounds in 1997.

• Use of pesticides identified by the State of California as reproductive hazards increased 34%, from 24.4 million pounds in 1991 to 32.6 million pounds in 1997. These are pesticides which may cause birth defects, reduced fertility and sterility.

• Use of acutely toxic systemic nerve poisons (organophosphates or carbamates) increased 17%, from 13.8 million pounds in 1991 to 16.1 million pounds in 1997. These are pesticides which disrupt the enzymes that control the nervous system.

"It's time for the State of California to aggressively promote alternatives to pesticides that cause cancer, birth defects, sterility, and other serious illnesses." said Susan Kegley, Ph.D., Staff Scientist with the Pesticide Action Network.

Members of a statewide coalition, Californians for Pesticide Reform (CPR), noted in particular DPR Director Paul Helliker's statement that use of high hazard pesticides must  be reduced in California, signaling a new approach to pesticide regulation in the state.  Under the Wilson administration, the pesticide use data were not released to the public for three years and no analysis of trends in use of the most toxic pesticides were ever conducted.

-More-

"When it comes to protecting our children, it is better to be safe than sorry and stop using the most dangerous pesticides," said Jonathan Kaplan, Policy Advocate with the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG). "We look forward to tracking the Davis Administration's performance in reducing pesticide use."

PAN and CPR will be releasing an in-depth analysis of pesticide use trends in California following the projected August release of the 1998 pesticide use data. The upcoming report will evaluate pesticide use, agricultural production, and pesticide toxicology.

DPR released the statistics to the public on July 13th. Summaries of pesticide use in 1997-categorized by chemical and crop or site-Pesticide Use Report, Annual 1997  are available on DPR's web site www.cdpr.ca.gov/whatnew.htm
 

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