Tell Jerry Brown: Reverse Schwarzenegger's toxic decision
In an 11th-hour move, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Department of Pesticide Regulation has formally issued its approval of methyl iodide for use on strawberries and other food crops in California. Methyl iodide is a potent carcinogen and neurotoxin that represents a clear danger to those who consume and grow our food.
The decision flies in the face of overwhelming public and scientific opposition. Prior to the decision, the DPR saw its largest public comment period ever, with 53,000 comments submitted by CREDO and our allies urging the state to ban the pesticide. Unfortunately, an unprecedented lobbying and media campaign by Arysta LifeScience -- the company that manufactures methyl iodide -- persuaded the DPR to put corporate interests ahead of public health.
But all is not lost. In just over a month, Governor-Elect Jerry Brown will take office, and he will have the power to issue an immediate moratorium on methyl iodide. In addition, he can reconvene the review committee and direct the DPR to incorporate the committee's analysis and evaluation into its final decision.
The science on this chemical speaks for itself. Methyl iodide is a known neurotoxin, disrupts thyroid function, damages developing fetuses, and has caused lung tumors in laboratory animals. California already classifies it as a human carcinogen. Fumigating fields with the gas -- even with the strictest regulations -- would no doubt still result in unacceptable exposures to farmworkers and surrounding populations.
If that wasn't enough, there is plenty of evidence that both the federal and state approval processes were flawed. When the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued its approval in 2007, more than 50 prominent scientists signed on to a letter criticizing the agency for hiding the process from public view and using too limited a focus in its research.1
The California DPR approved the chemical despite a report from an independent panel of scientists declaring that "methyl iodide is a highly toxic chemical and we expect that any anticipated scenario for the agricultural or structural fumigation use of this ag
ent would result in exposures to a large number of the public and thus would have a significant adverse impact to public health." 2
Governor-Elect Brown needs to take a public stance against methyl iodide and make a moratorium one of his first priorities in office.
Dec. 3, 2010
act.credoaction.com/campaign/methyl_iodide_moratorium/index2.html