Californians have the right to know where unsafe agricultural pesticides will be used

For many years now, residents of farmworking communities have been calling for advance warning of pesticide use near their homes and schools. Science clearly shows that pesticides can and do drift far from fields where they’re applied. Research also makes clear that chronic exposure to pesticides can cause health harms that last a lifetime, including cancer and damage to children’s developing brains.

We applaud this precedent-setting proposal to provide Californians with the basic right to know about the planned use of toxic chemicals in our neighborhoods.

However, the Department’s proposal would not provide the exact location of planned pesticide applications. Instead, it would only give the 1×1 square mile “section” — even though the exact field location is known to county officials in advance. Without an exact location, these notifications won’t provide the information people need to protect themselves.

For years Earthjustice has advocated for a healthy, safe, and fair food system that would protect us all and safeguard the health of farmworkers, farmers, rural communities, and consumers. Communities should also be given an opportunity to provide ongoing feedback on how to improve this advance warning system.

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation has a chance to do the right thing and not waste this crucial opportunity, but they need to hear from us. We all have the right to know where and when toxic pesticides will be used in our communities.