Cancer-Causing Pesticide Use Rising in CaliforniaReport Shows Total Use Remains Alarmingly HighMay 4, 2000 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, of which Butte Environmental Council is a member. 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. The use of the most toxic pesticides to humans in Butte, Glenn, and Tehama counties has increased between 15 and 18 percent from 1995 to 1998 while Sutter and Yuba, counties have decreased their use between 10 to 20 percent. Colusa County also decreased the use of pesticides in those years, but it was after a 140% increase from 1991 to 1995. Butte County had over 4.2 million pounds of active pesticide ingredients applied in 1998 with over 1.1 million of the total designated as the most toxic pesticides to human health. "The increased use of pesticides in food production in the north state is absolutely unacceptable," stated Barbara Vlamis, BEC Executive Director. "Butte, Glenn, Tehama, and Colusa counties all exceed the state’s average death rates from cancer and Glenn County has the highest breast cancer rate in the state. The State of California must take a leadership role in determining the cause of the high cancer rates and simultaneously phase out the most dangerous pesticides to protect the region’s air, water, food, and the animal and human populations," Barbara concluded.
The report is available on the web at: Posted May 2000 |