October4,2023
Re: Ban Synthetic Pesticides
CleanEarth4Kids.orgsupportstheCityofSantaRosabanningsyntheticpesticides.
Pesticides are Toxic
Pesticidesareathreattohumanhealth,wildlife,andtheenvironment. Theyare linkedtoskin,eye,andlungirritation,hormonedisruption,brainandnervous systemtoxicity,cancer,bloodandnervedisorders,birthdefects,andreproductive effects. Childrenareparticularlysensitivetothesedangerouschemicals.Wemustdo allwecantoreduce,ifnoteliminatetheirexposuretopesticides Pesticidesharmhumanhealth,driftthroughtheair,contaminatethewater,poison fish,andharmaquaticlife1,coralreefs2,andourwildlife3.
Pesticidesareadirectthreattoourpreciouscoastalresourcesandecosystems.
Pesticides Harm Marine Life
Pesticidesdonotstaywheretheywereusedwithover98%ofsprayedinsecticides and95%ofherbicidesdriftingthroughtheair,absorbedintothesoilorrunningoff intowaterways.4TheNationalWaterQualityAssessment(NWQA)showsagricultural runoffasthemaincauseofpollutioninriversandstreams.5Toxicpesticidesharm thehealthofhumans,wildlifeandtheenvironment.
Aspesticidestravelthroughsoilandbedrockcracks,theycontaminategroundwater systemswhichprovide70%ofthewaterusedforpublicandprivatewatersupplies, irrigation,andindustry.6
Pesticidesareabsorbedbyaquaticorganismsthroughtheirskin,breathing,and mouths.7Longtermexposurehasmanynegativeconsequencesforaquaticlife,such asmortality,reproductivefailure,eggshellthinning,suppressionoftheimmune system,andotherfishhealthcomplicationssuchasexcessiveslimeonfishscales andgills,cancers,tumorsandlesions.8
PFAS in Pesticides
8https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2215153222001003 7https://biointerfaceresearch.com.pdf
6https://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/PSEP/6environment.html 5https://www.epa.gov/nps/nonpoint-source-agriculture
4https://archive.org/details/sustainingearthi0000mill
3https://www.beyondpesticides.org/programs/wildlife
2https://www.epa.gov/coral-reefs/threats-coral-reefs
1https://www.beyondpesticides.org/programs/wildlife/fish 1 VeryhighlevelsofPFASarefoundincommonlyusedagriculturalpesticides.9The levelsshowtheproblemisfromthepesticideingredientsthemselves,notjust leachingfromplasticcontainers.PFASarecommonlyusedasadditiveslike surfactants(helpspesticidesspraymoreeasily)andasinertingredientsin pesticides.10,11Almost70%ofallpesticidesintroducedaroundtheworldbetween 2015-2020containedPFASorrelatedcompounds.12
Dangers of PFAS
PFAS(perfluoroalkylandpoly-fluoroalkylsubstances)areaclassofover12,000 synthetic(man-made)chemicals13foundinmanyproducts14likesynthetic grass/artificialturf,foodpackaging,waterproofingsprays,householdcleaners, stain-resistantcarpet,nonstickcookware,firefightingfoam,clothing,makeup,toilet paper,personalcareproducts,textiles,children’sproductsandmuchmore.PFASas aclasssharemanycharacteristicsandtoxicities.15ThreePFAS (perfluorooctanesulfonicacid[PFOS],perfluorononanoicacid[PFNA],and perfluorooctanoicacid[PFOA])areonCalifornia’sProposition65listascarcinogens anddevelopmentaltoxicity.16TheEPAreleasedinJune2022ahealthadvisoryfor PFOS,PFOAandtheirreplacements,PFBS,andGenXchemicalsindrinkingwater.17 PFASareknownas"foreverchemicals"astheyareextremelystronganddon'tbreak downintheenvironmentorinourbodies.Onceinthebody,theyaccumulateinthe kidneysandliverwithabiologicalhalf-lifeof3-8years.18Manystatesandcitieshave foundPFASintheirdrinkingwater. PFASarefoundinthebloodof97%of Americansandeveninumbilicalcords.19,20
PFASaretoxic. AccordingtotheCDC,21EPA,22andtheEuropeanUnion EnvironmentAgency,23PFASarelinkedtolowbirthweight,thyroiddisease, increasedcholesterol,liverdamage,kidneycancer,andtesticularcancer. Theyare alsolinkedtolivercancer,24diabetes,25endocrinedisruption,andotherserious healthproblems.26
26https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32476019
25https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35970987/
24https://www.insider.com/study-confirms-link-between-forever-chemicals-and-liver-cancer-risk-2022-8 23https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/emerging-chemical-risks-in-europe 22https://www.epa.gov/pfas/our-current-understanding-human-health-and-environmental-risks-pfas 21https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/health-effects/index.html 20https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/forever-chemicals-found-umbilical-cord-blood-samples 19https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/health-effects/us-population.html 18https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/pfc/index.cfm 17https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/drinking-water-health-advisories-pfoa-and-pfos 16https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/proposition-65-list/ 15https://experts.unthsc.edu/en/publications/response-to-comment-on-scientific-basis-for-managing-pfas 14https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/PFAS_FactSheet.html 13https://comptox.epa.gov/dashboard/chemical-lists/pfasmaster 12https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/pesticides-are-spreading-toxic-forever-chemicals-scientists-warn/ 11https://peer.org/substantial-pfas-contamination-found-in-pesticides 10https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3214619/ 9https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266691102200020X 2 Stop the Use of Rodenticides
TheCaliforniaEcosystemsProtectionActof2020(AB1788)bannedtheuseof brodifacoum,bromadiolone,difenacoum,anddifethialonewhichareSGARs(Second GenerationAnticoagulantRodenticides).27Thoserodenticidesarealsopendinga reevaluationbyDPR.TheActwaspassedbecausedatafromtheDepartmentofFish andWildlifeshowedtheregulationsissuedbyDPRin2014hadnosignificant reductioninthenumberofnon-targetwildlifewithdetectablelevelsofSGARsintheir systems.28ThoserodenticidesarealsopendingareevaluationbyDPR.
StartinginJuly2014,productswithbrodifacoum29,bromadiolone30,difethialone31, anddifenacoum32couldonlybeusedbyprofessionalexterminatorsandwerenotsold toconsumerstoreducenon-targetexposures.33However,from2014through2018, thesepoisonswerefoundin94%ofmountainlions,92%ofbobcats,85%of protectedPacificfishers,83%ofcoyotes,and70%ofnorthernspottedowls.34 BecauseoftheadditionalregulationsonSGARs,salesofdiphacinonesignificantly increasedafter2014.35Theuseofbrodifacoum,bromadiolone,difethialone,and difenacoumwasbannedin2020.36
Largemammalsdonotevenhavetoingestrodenticidedirectly;thesepoisonous substancescanmaketheirwaythroughthefoodwebandanimalscanbeaffected throughsecondaryandeventertiaryexposure.37Theseeffectscanreduce,change behavior,anddestroypopulationsofplantsandanimals.38Theseharmscanripple upanddownfoodchains.
38https://www.beyondpesticides.org/assets/Pesticides.Harming.Key.Species.PAY.Summer.2018-4.pdf 37https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-64377-9_7 36https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/new-california-law-protecting-animals- 35https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/registration/canot/2023/ca2023-06.pd 34https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2018/rat-poison-12-12-2018.php 33https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=44338 32https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/54676884#section=Safety-and-Hazards 31https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/91771#section=Safety-and-Hazards 30https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/54680085#section=Safety-and-Hazards 29https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/54680676#section=Safety-and-Hazards 28https://wildlife.ca.gov/
27https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB1788&showamends= 3 DiphacinoneisthemostfrequentlydetectedFGARinnon-targetwildlife,threatening awiderangeofbirdsandmammalsincludingowls,bobcats,coyotes,andevenbears. 43 Notonlycanitbelethaltowildlifethathuntsrodents,butitcanalsocause debilitatingdiseaseslikesevereskindiseaseslikemange,decreasedimmunesystem response,andevenspontaneousbleeding.44
Ina16-yearstudy,diphacinonewasfoundin40%ofbobcatsinLosAngeles.45 NationalParkServiceresearchshowsSGARsandFGARsin39outof40mountain lionstestedintheSantaMonicaMountains. Rodenticidepoisoningissobadthat fourunbornkittensofapregnantmountainliontestedpositiveforSGARsand FGARs,includingdiphacinonein2022.Anotherfemalemountainliondiedin2022of severemangewith5anticoagulantrodenticidesincludingdiphacinoneinherliver.46 Rodenticidesasawholearetoxictohumans;commonsymptomsofrodenticide poisoningincludenausea,vomiting,internalbleeding,alteredstateofconsciousness andalertness,dehydration,headache,pain,andseizures,andextremecasesof exposurecanleadtokidneyfailure,liverdisease,andevendeath.47,48 Diphacinone,asaFGAR,reducestheabilityofone’sbloodtoclot.Thismeansthat humansexposedtodiphacinonearesusceptibletobleedingofthenose,skin,and mucousmembranes,bleedingofthedigestivetract,bleedingintothekidneys,and bleedingintootherorgans.49
Ban FGARs: Warfarin and Chlorophacinone
Warfarinisabloodthinnerandincreasestheriskofsevereorfatalbleeding, especiallyinadultsover65orwithmedicalconditions.50
Chlorophacinoneishighlytoxicwheningestedorabsorbedthroughtheskinwitha lethaldoseforhumansislessthan7drops.51
Ban SGARs: Brodifacoum, Bromadiolone, Difethialone, Difenacoum Brodifacoumishighlytoxicwithahalf-lifeofmorethanayear,meaningitcan persistintheenvironmentandpoisonlargeranimalsthroughsecondary poisonings.52
52https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/registration/reevaluation/2018_investigation_anticoagulant.pdf 51https://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/4918
50https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682277.html
49https://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/0794.pdf 48https://www.verywellhealth.com/rat-poison-first-aid-1298860 47https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554428/
46https://www.nps.gov/samo/learn/news/adult-female-mountain-lion-p-54-and-her-four-full-term-fetuses- 45https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272844423_Anticoagulant_rodenticides 44https://www.raptorsarethesolution.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2022-09-28-Final-Press-Release- 43https://www.crescentavalleyweekly.com/viewpoints/04/20/2023/news-from-sacramento-23/ 5 Usedindoorsandoutdoors,bromadioloneishighlytoxicandbannedin30 countries.53Bromadiolonepoisoningscancausedeathbyinternalbleedingbecause itshighlipidsolubilitypermitsittodiffuseacrosstheblood-brainbarrierand damagethecentralnervoussystem.54
Difethialoneanddifenacoumarehighlytoxicandcancausehemorrhages,muscle weakness,dyspnea,coughing,andswollenjoints.55,56
Ban Bromethalin
Bromethalindamagesthecentralnervoussystem,57withsymptomsgenerallypresent after1to2days,makingithardtodeterminethecauseofillness.Bromethalin intoxicationsyndrome58cancausetremors,hyperaesthesia,hyperthermia,and seizures.
Ban Strychnine
Highlevelsofexposuretostrychnineinterferewiththenervoussystemandcause respiratoryfailure,musclespasms,lossofconsciousness,andbraindeathwithin 15-30minutes.59,60
Poison for Pests is Poison for Humans
Regardinghumanhealth,theAmericanAssociationofPoisonControlCenters reportedthatyearlypoisoningsfromsecond-generationanticoagulantrodenticides causenumeroushealthconsequences.In2018,thereweremorethan4,226 exposureswiththemajorityofthemoccurringwithyoungchildrenandtoddlers.Itis importanttorecognizethathumansandanimalscanbeexposedtorodenticides61on adailybasis,evenifthesepoisonsareinthedeepestcornersofthehome.
Inadditiontohumanhealthimplications,petsandwildlifearesusceptibletoprimary andsecondarypoisonings.Secondarypoisoningsareproblematicbecause rodenticidespoisonlargeranimalsthatwouldnotnormallyeatrodentbait.
Rodenticidescanbioaccumulateintheenvironmentinsmallmammals,likemiceor rats,andlaterpoisonanimalshigherinthefoodchain.Forexample,the Massachusettsgovernmentreportedthatayoungbaldeaglediedafterasecondary poisoningin2021.62Evenmoretroubling,veterinarianshavetroubletreatingthese incidentsduetothenatureofrodenticides.Poisoningsfromratbaitoftenhave 62https://www.mass.gov/news/eaglet-dies-from-rodenticide-poisoning 61http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/rodenticides.html
60https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/emergencyresponsecard_29750018.html# 59https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/strychnine/basics/facts.asp 58https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3659449/ 57https://www.aspca.org/news/poison-alert-beware-bromethalin 56https://inchem.org/documents/hsg/hsg/hsg095.htm
55https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/difethialone 54https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5587214 53http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/bromadgen.html
6 delayedsymptoms,makingitdifficultforvetstodeterminethecauseofillness.
Use Alternatives to Protect Our Wildlife
TheorganizationPoisonFreeMalibuhasworkedwiththeirmunicipalgovernmentto successfullystoptheuseofanticoagulantrodenticidesintheircommunityduetothe impactonlocalwildlifepopulations,includingbobcats,coyotes,andmountain lions.63Thecitygovernmentimplementednaturalcontrolstoreducetherodent populationbymandatingthingslikelockingdumpstersandreplacingwarpedand defectivelids.TheeffortsinMalibuandothercommunitiesneartheSantaMonica mountainsprovethatrodentinfestationscanbecontrolledinurbanareaswithout theuseofunsafechemicals.
Ban Rodenticides
CleanEarth4Kids.orgcallsonCaliforniatopermanentlybanallFGARs(diphacinone, warfarin,chlorophacinone)andSGARs(brodifacoum,bromadiolone,difethialone, anddifenacoum)alongwithstrychninetoprotectwildlife,biodiversity,andhuman health.Acompletebanisnecessaryinordertoavoidevenmoreharmfulalternatives thatwillcontinuetopoisonwildlife.
Rodenticidesarecounterproductivetorodentcontrolastheypoisonandkillnatural predators. Scientificresearchandstatestudieshavefoundrodenticidesinover75% ofanimalstested.64
ItiscriticalthatCaliforniaadoptsacautiousapproachwhenconsideringmitigation measuresbecauserodenticidesareoftenadministeredincorrectlywhichthreatens thehealthofpeopleandwildlifeinthesurroundingareas.AstudyfromUCLA65 statedthatindividualsadministeringrodenticidesoftendonotreadthelabelsor adheretosafetyguidelines.Californiamustensurethisstate'smostvulnerable populationsandwildlifeareprotected.
The US Allows Toxic Pesticides Banned in Other Countries TheUSonlybans21pesticides,whileChinaandtheEUban54pesticidesandthe EUbans195pesticides.Foralistofpesticidesbannedinothercountries,please clickhere.66Legaldoesnotmeansafe!
TheEPAdownplayspesticidetoxicity.In2020,theEPAdecidedon1,3-D(dichloro propene)thatdowngradedthepesticide’scancerratingfrom“likelytobea carcinogen”to“suggestiveevidenceofcarcinogenicpotential,”despitetheirstudiesas wellasindependentstudiesconfirmingthepresenceoftumorsandlesionsinanimal 66https://pan-international.org/pan-international-consolidated-list-of-banned-pesticides/ 65https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1100&context=cate 64https://slconservancy.org/phase-out-rodenticides-and-how-integrated-pest-management-can-help 63https://poisonfreemalibu.org/about/
7 studies.67,68Dichloropropenewasinitiallylistedasaprobablecarcinogenin1985, andthisfindingwasestablishedin1989andagainin2005.69Despitethis,the categorizationisstillinplace,downplayingtheharmtohumanhealthandthe environment.
Farmworkersareespeciallyvulnerable,astheUnitedStatesusesabout40-50 millionpoundsof1,3-Deachyear,makingitthe4thmostusedpesticideinour country’sagriculturalsector.Somefarmworkersare14timesmorelikelytobe exposedbyairto1,3-DduetotheDPRallowingforapushtochangethetolerance threshold.70Wemustprotectourfarmworkersandensuretheirhealthstatusdoes notbecomevulnerableduetotheirworkingconditions.
Thiscarcinogeniccategorizationdowngradeof1,3-DrepresentshowlittletheEPAis requiredtoshowconcernandmakechangestoimprovetheriskstohumanhealth andtheenvironment.Theonlyfactorsthatshouldbeconsideredarethescientifically provendangerstohealthandwildlife,notwhatthepesticidecompanieswantor believetobetrue.71
“TheEPA’spesticideofficehassunktoadespicablenewlowinallowingfarmworkers, smallchildren,andtheenvironmenttobesacrificialpawnsintheprofitschemesof itsfriendsinthepesticideindustry,”saidNathanDonley,aseniorscientistatthe CenterforBiologicalDiversity. “Inrushingtoreapprovethesedeadlychemicals,it’s ignoreditsownscientistsandindependentresearchers,refusedtoprotecthuman healthandtheenvironment,andshownitselftobethepantinglapdogofamorally bankruptindustry.”72
Forinformationonhowthepesticideindustryensurestheirproductsareapproved withoutpropertesting,weencourageyoutoreviewthearticle“HowPesticide CompaniesCorruptedtheEPAandPoisonedAmerica.”73Sen.RichardBlumenthal, D-Conn.,isquotedinthearticle:“Thesefindingsareprofoundlyalarmingandpoint toatroublingpatternofdisregardattheEPA’sOfficeofPesticidePrograms.” Pesticidecompaniesoftensitonpanels,committees,andworkinggroupsto"advise" regulatorsandhaveensuredtheEPAreliesalmostentirelyonindustry-funded studies.74Thereisa10-partseriesinTheInterceptonhowtheEPAisfailingto evaluateandtestpesticidesandchemicalsduetoindustryinterference.75For example,theEPA’spesticideofficeapproved89%of972industryrequeststowaive toxicitytestsbetween2011and2018.76
76https://theintercept.com/2021/06/30/epa-pesticides-exposure-opp/ 75https://theintercept.com/2021/07/02/epa-chemical-safety-corruption-whistleblowers/ 74https://www.panna.org/gmos-pesticides-profit/corporate-science-spin 73https://theintercept.com/2021/06/30/epa-pesticides-exposure-opp/ 72https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/epa-reapproves-dozens-ultra-toxic-pesticides-2020 71https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33528302/
70https://www.pesticidereform.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/13-D-Report-Jan_2023-FINAL.pdf 69https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs 68https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2014-09/documents/health_effects 67https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2020-23503.pdf 8 Wemustdoeverythingpossibletoprotectchildren,publichealth,andour environment!Itisvitaltotransitiontonon-toxicpestcontrolmethodsthatare organic,regenerativeorganic,andpermaculture. Wemuststopusingsynthetic pesticidesandfertilizers,mostofwhichcontainfossilfuelsandtoxicchemicals.
We Need Policies and Laws to Stop Synthetic Pesticides
Pesticidesaredangeroustoanimalandhumanhealthandcauseacuteand long-termeffectsfromexposurethroughdermalandoralpathways,inhalation,and theeyes.77Long-termeffectsofpesticidescantakeyearstomanifestafterexposure.
Allergicreactionscanalsooccurinhumans.Acuteandlong-termimpactsusually impactthereproductive,centralnervous,andendocrinesystems.Forexample,DDT damagesthereproductive,nervous,endocrine,andimmunesystems.78 Thelong-termhealthconsequencesareespeciallyconcerningsincethesourcesof exposurearehardtoidentify,andillnessesaredifficulttoreverse,especially lymphoma,leukemia,breastcancer,asthma,andimmunesystemdisorders.79 Likeadultfarmworkers,childfarmworkersareexposedtomultiplesynthetic pesticides.80Thesechildren,bothworkingonfarms,orthoselivingcloseby,become particularlyvulnerable,duetoartificialpesticideexposure,tohealthoutcomessuch asrespiratoryandthyroidissues,cancer,andneurologicaldisorders.81Thiscould inherentlyleadtolong-termharmtotheirhealthstatus.
Broadly,syntheticpesticidescanthreatenhumanandhabitathealthbyleadingto pesticideresistance.Unlikenaturalpesticidestrategies,insectscanbecomeresistant tosyntheticpesticides,leadingcompaniestocreatemoretoxicpesticidesor communitiestoapplymoreintheirlocalenvironments.Currently,500speciesof insectsandmitesareresistanttooneormorepesticides.82Additionally,pesticides canpersistinthesoilandwaterforyears,poisoningenvironmentsandcan biomagnifythefoodchain,threateningthequalityofthefoodsupply.Pesticidescan alsothreatenthefoodsupplythroughresiduesonproduce.83IntheU.S.,theEPA measuresandlimitsthenumberofpesticidesonfoodafterthepassageoftheFood QualityProtectionAct(1996).84However,lower-incomecountriesperformdifferent investigations.Thelackofregulationinthesecountrieshurtstheglobal environment,worsenspesticideresistance,anddisproportionatelythreatensthe qualityofimportedfood.
84https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/health/natural-health/pesticides/index.htm#:~:text=There%27s% 83https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/pesticides-and-health#regulation 82https://www.canr.msu.edu/grapes/integrated_pest_management/how-pesticide-resistance-develops 81https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7035203/ 80https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8819502/ 79https://www.pesticidereform.org/pesticides-human-health/ 78http://www.bt.ucsd.edu/synthetic_pesticide.html
77https://extension.psu.edu/potential-health-effects-of-pesticides 9 TheUSisusingtoxicpesticidesbannedinmanyothercountries.85Legaldoesnot meansafe!Wemustdoeverythingpossibletoprotectchildren,publichealth,andour environment.Transitioningtonon-toxicmethodslikeorganic,regenerativeorganic, andpermacultureisvital. 99%ofsyntheticpesticidesandfertilizerscomefromfossil fuels,andthecontinueduseofthesepetrochemicalsisadirectthreattotheclimate andourworld.86
Regenerativeandorganicagriculturalpracticeshaveshownpoisonslike neonicotinoidpesticidesarenotnecessary.87Manycultural,mechanical,and biologicalsolutionscanbeusedforeffectivepestcontrolinourhomes,parks,and farms.88
Ban Glyphosate (RoundUp)
GlyphosateislistedunderCalifornia’sProp65asacarcinogen(causescancer)andit isaliabilityissue.89
Morelinksbelowabouttheharmofglyphosate.
a.GatewayonPesticideHazardsandSafePestManagement—Beyond Pesticides
b.GlyphosateListedEffectiveJuly7,2017,asKnowntotheStateof CaliforniatoCauseCancer-OEHHA
c.Exposuretoglyphosate-basedherbicidesandriskfornon-Hodgkin lymphoma:Ameta-analysisandsupportingevidence-ScienceDirect d.Multiomicsrevealnon-alcoholicfattyliverdiseaseinratsfollowing chronicexposuretoanultra-lowdoseofRoundupherbicide|Scientific Reports(nature.com)
e.Healthdangersofglyphosatevideo
f.Glyphosateinfiltratesthebrainandincreasespro-inflammatorycytokine TNFα:implicationsforneurodegenerativedisorders|Journalof Neuroinflammation|FullText(biomedcentral.com). Glyphosatecrosses thebloodbrainbarrier,increasingtheriskofneurologicaldiseases.
Glyphosatecangointothebrainandchangethelevelsoftwokey
molecules:TNF-αandAmyloid-β.
“ElevatedTNF-αisakeyindicatorofinflammationinthebrain,which playsaroleinmanyneurologicaldiseases.SolubleAmyloid-βis responsibleforplaques,aclassichallmarkofAlzheimer’s.Bothare elevatedafterexposuretoglyphosate.”-EWG
89https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/fact-sheets/glyphosate 88https://cleanearth4kids.org/stop-pesticides#
87https://cleanearth4kids.org/farming-regenerative
86https://www.ciel.org/reports/fossil-fertilizers/
85https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/united-states-uses-85 10 g.CourtrejectsTrump-eraEPAfindingthatRoundupweedkillerissafe| PBSNewsHour
h.Monsanto’sBigLieAboutRoundupandtheSystemThatEnabledIt| SierraClub
i.WhattheMonsantoPaperstellusaboutcorporatescience|Corporate EuropeObservatory
j.TheMonsantoPapers:Poisoningthescientificwell|PubMed/NIH Ban Organophosphates
Organophosphates(OP)arechemicalsubstancesproducedbytheprocessof esterificationbetweenphosphoricacidandalcohol.90OPscauseharmtoinsects, humans,plants,andanimalsandarecommonlyfoundininsecticides.
Organophosphatesarefoundinmostinsecticidesandareusedformosquito spraying.91Currently,theUnitedStatesregistersthirty-sixorganophosphatestobe usedinhomes,foragriculture,andevenveterinarypractices.92 Organophosphateresidueiscommonlyfoundoncropssuchaslettuce.93Most Americanshaveoneormorepesticidesintheirbodies,andorganophosphatescause cancer,puttingeveryoneatrisk.94Organophosphatesarebelievedtocausechildhood cancersandbreastcancer.95,96Whenpregnantwomencomeincontactwith organophosphates,theirunbornbabieshaveanincreasedchanceofdeveloping neurologicaldisordersandexperiencingcongenitaldisabilities.97 Childrenareespeciallyvulnerabletoorganophosphatepoisoning,with77,000babies eachdayexposedtohighlevelsoforganophosphatesinbabyfoodssuchasapple sauce,peaches,andpears.98Organophosphatescanalsocauseincreasedurination, vomiting,memoryloss,breathingdifficulty,headaches,sweating,cancer,and seizures.99Wildlifeanddomesticatedanimalscanbeexposedtoorganophosphates, causingnausea,vomiting,diarrhea,andtroublebreathing.100Humansandanimals canbepoisonedbyingestion,dermalcontact,andinhalation.101Inthepastten years,theEPAhasbannedtheuseoftwotypesoforganophosphatesforresidential use:parathionanddiazinon.102Organophosphatesaretoxicandhighlyharmfulto humansandwildlifealike.
102https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7399930/ 101https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470430/
100https://cwhl.vet.cornell.edu/disease/organophosphate-toxicity 99https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320350#symptoms 98https://www.ewg.org/research/overexposed-organophosphate-insecticides-childrens-food 97https://earthjustice.org/feature/organophosphate-pesticides-united-states 96https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/14/5030
95https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/clusters/fallon/organophosfaq.htm 94https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5734986/#R1 93https://www.ewg.org/research/overexposed-organophosphate-insecticides-childrens-food 92https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rmpp_6thed_ch5_organophosphates.pdf 91https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/OP-DPM_FactSheet.html 90https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499860/
11 Chlorpyrifosisanorganophosphatethatharmshumanhealthandthe environment.103Childrenandfarmworkersarethemostvulnerable,withevensmall amountsofchlorpyrifosbeingtoxic.104TheEPAbannedtheuseofchlorpyrifosonany foodsoldintheUnitedStatesin2022,andithasbeenbannedfromresidentialuse forovertwodecades.105ThatistheonlyorganophosphatepesticidethattheEPAhas banned. Allorganophosphatesmustbedeniedasaclassduetotheirharmto humanhealthandtheenvironment.Overadozenorganophosphatesareusedinfood intheUnitedStates,eventhoughtheyareverytoxicandcancauselearning disabilitiesandotherneurodevelopmentalharmtochildren.106 Ban Neonicotinoid Pesticides
CleanEarth4Kids.orgcallsforthebanofneonicotinoidpesticidesintheUnitedStates ofAmerica,includingneonicotinoid-treatedseeds. Recognizingtheharmtohealth, pollinators,wildlife,aquaticlife,water,andtheenvironment,aswellasrealizingthe economicandsocialcostofneonicotinoidpesticides,theEuropeanUnion(EU)has bannedalloutdoorusesofneonicotinoidpesticides,includingtreatedseeds.107,108 Neonicotinoidpesticidesareathreattopublichealth,109children’shealth,110brain development,111,andlearningability,andneonicotinoidsharmourwater,112aquatic life,113wildlife,earthworms,114soil,115bees,andotherpollinatorsvitalforecosystems, biodiversity,foodsources,crops,andoureconomyinCalifornia. Neonicotinoid pesticidesmustbebanned.
Neonicotinoidpesticidesareendocrinedisruptors116andcancausereproductive effects117likelowbirthweight,pretermbirth,118andlossofpregnancy.119Astudy statedneonicotinoidpesticides“...canposearisktotheintegrityandfunctioningof thenervoussystemofdifferentspeciesofmammals,includinghumans.”120 Neonicotinoidpesticidesarelinkedtodevelopmental/neurologicalproblemsand increasedriskofType1diabetes.121,122
122https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35902493
121https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/EHP515
120https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8395098 119https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0219208 118https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3279127 117https://academic.oup.com/occmed/article/56/8/521/1465431 116https://academic.oup.com/humupd/article/18/3/284/610048 115https://www.cebc.cnrs.fr/wp-content/uploads/publipdf/2021/PAEE305_2021.pdf 114https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7071835/ 113https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8431157/ 112https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412014003183 111https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3290564/ 110https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0329-0102 109https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412022001271 108https://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=269405&pageIndex=0&doclang= 107https://friendsoftheearth.eu/news/eu-bans-bee-killing-neonic-pesticides/ 106https://earthjustice.org/action/ban-organophosphates 105https://www.nrdc.org/bio/jennifer-sass/epa-bans-chlorpyrifos-food-crops 104https://earthjustice.org/press/2022/voices-across-the-u-s-demand-ban-on-brain-harming-pesticide 103https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33059141/
12 Neonicotinoidpesticidesareathreattochildren’shealth,evenatlowdoses.123 Researchshowsthatonceingested,theycanaccumulateinchildren’scerebrospinal fluid,plasma,andurine.124Arecentstudydoneamong71pregnantwomenin California,Georgia,Illinois,NewHampshire,NewYork,andPuertoRicofound neonicotinoidsin95%ofthestudyparticipants.125
Neonicotinoidpesticidesarealsotoxic126tobees,127insects,birds,128bats,129and otherpollinators. Asingleneonicotinoid-treatedseedisenoughtokillasongbird.130 Neonicotinoidsalsopoisonbatsthroughtheirfoodsupplyandnegativelyimpact echolocation. Neonicotinoidpesticideshavebeentheleadingcauseofharmto pollinatorsoverthepast20years,whichisadirectthreattoagriculture.131The declineofbeepopulationsputstheover$15billionCaliforniaagriculturalsectorat risk.132Withthelossofpollinators,morethan$11billioninCalifornia’sagricultural productionisthreatened.
Neonicotinoidpesticidesquicklygetintoourwaterandcanlastforyearsinsoil, contaminatingtheenvironment.133Asonestudyputit:“Neonicsarepersistentinthe environment:Theyhavebeenfoundinsoil,dust,wetlands,groundwater,nontarget plantsandvertebrateprey,andfoodscommontotheAmericandiet,includingwild andaquaculturedmarinespecies.”134ResearchshowshalftheUSpopulationover threeyearsoldareexposedtoneonicotinoidsregularly.135
Neonicotinoidsaresystemic,ineverypartofaplant,fromroottoleaftopollento seeds,makingthewholeplantpoisonoustoinsects.Thispoisoniswater-resistant andcannotbewashedoff.13695%ormoreoftheactiveingredientinneonicsstayin thesoilforyears,spreadingviarainandirrigationtopollutesoil,water,andeven otherplants.137
Theneonicotinoidpesticideimidaclopridisbannedin29countriesbutiscommonly usedinparks,schools,golfcourses,homes,andfarmsintheUnitedStates.138 Imidacloprid,likeotherneonicotinoidpesticides,driftstosurroundingareas.139 AccordingtotheEPA,nearly80%ofallendangeredspeciesarelikelytobeharmed 139https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-01/documents/imidacloprid_pid_signed_1.22.2020.pdf 138https://pan-international.org/pan-international-consolidated-list-of-banned-pesticides/ 137https://www.nrdc.org/bio/daniel-raichel/california-must-regulate-toxic-neonic-coated-crop-seeds 136https://xerces.org/systemic-insecticides-reference-and-overview 135https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0013935119303524 134https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp515
133https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969717324397 132https://www.nrdc.org/experts/daniel-raichel/neonic-pesticides-could-spell-disaster-our-food-supply 131https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/29/bees-food-crops-shortage-study 130https://abcbirds.org/neonics
129https://cwf-fcf.org/en/resources/research-papers/BatNeonicsReport_en.pdf 128https://ocm.auburn.edu/newsroom/news_articles/2020/10/141359-miao-bird-study.php 127https://xerces.org/sites/default/files/2018-05/16-022_01_XercesSoc_How-Neonicotinoids-Can-Kill-Bees_web 126https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-017-0341-3 125https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.1c08942
124https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-021-00821-z 123https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0329-0102 13 byimidacloprid,andthecriticalhabitatsof658speciesarelikelytobeimpacted.140 Neonicotinoidpesticidesaretoxictoallaquaticlifewithlong-termeffectsonthe marineenvironment.141TheCaliforniaDepartmentofPesticideRegulation(DPR)has detectedneonicotinoidpesticidesin92%ofurbanwatersamplesinsouthern California,14258%inurbanareasofnorthernCalifornia,143and94%inagricultural areas.144
Neonicotinoidpesticidesareinourwater,soil,andfood.Neonicotinoidresidueis foundonmostfruitsandvegetablesintheUS.145Unlikemanyotherpesticides, neonicotinoidscannotbewashedoffoffoodbeforeeating.146AccordingtotheFDA, overhalfofourfoodhastheresidueofatleastonepesticide,with10%havinglevels abovelegallimits.14790%ofAmericanshavedetectablepesticidelevels.148 Neonicotinoidpesticidescanalsoimpactchildren'sbraindevelopment,especially duringtheprenatalperiod.Exposurecouldaffectvariousemotional,motor,and neurologicalfunctions.149Ofagroupofchildren(ages3-18),nearly93%ofthe collectedplasmaand64%ofthecollectedcerebrospinalfluidsamplescontainedat leastoneneonicotinoid.150
Additionally,therearereportedlinksbetweenneonicexposuresandmalformationsof thedevelopingheartandbrain,aswellasaclusterofsymptoms,includingmemory lossandfingertremors.151
PollinatorsacrosstheUSareontheedgeofextinction.152Thisisanimmediate threattotheenvironmentandbiologicaldiversity,andadirectthreatto agriculture.153Pollinatorsare“responsibleforhelping90%oftheworld’sflowering plantsreproduce”andnearly75%offoodcrops,asrecognizedbytheEPAand FAO.154,155
Pollinatorsplayacriticalroleinmaintainingecosystemhealth,foodsupplies,and theeconomy.156IntheUnitedStatesalone,honeybeesandotherpollinators contributeapproximately$200billionannuallyinecologicalservicesbyfacilitating 156https://www.nps.gov/subjects/pollinators/what-is-a-pollinator.htm 155https://www.fao.org/pollination/background/bees-and-other-pollinators/en/ 154https://www.epa.gov/sciencematters/protecting-pollinators 153https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/29/bees-food-crops-shortage-study 152https://grist.org/food/mass-extinction-threatens-the-worlds-pollinators-and-its-crops/ 151https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/EHP515
150https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-021-00821-z 149https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31520389/
148https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5734986/#R1 147https://www.fda.gov/food/pesticides/pesticide-residue-monitoring-program-reports-and-data 146https://pubag.nal.usda.gov/catalog/4668856
145https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-018-0441-7 144https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/emon/pubs/ehapreps/study_304_ag_monitor_rpt_2018.pdf 143https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/emon/pubs/ehapreps/report_299_fy17-18.pdf 142https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/emon/pubs/ehapreps/study_270_fy_17_18_mngt_rpt.pdf 141http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/files/neonic-water-report-final-242016_web_33288.pdf 140https://www.epa.gov/endangered-species/draft-national-level-listed-species-biological-evaluation-imidacloprid 14 thereproductionofplants.157Pollinatorsareessentialtotheproductionofthefruits andvegetablesthathumansandotherorganismsinthefoodchainrelyonfortheir sustenance.158Withoutthesepollinators,ourfoodsupplywouldbeseverely limited.159Additionally,pollinatorscontributetocleanair,soilstabilization,and oxygensupplies,makingthemcrucialfortheoverallhealthofourecosystem.160 Nativebeesarevitalforpollinationbutarenottheonlypollinators.Otheressential pollinatorsincludenativebeetles,flies,butterflies,wasps,moths,and hummingbirds.Thesediversegroupsofpollinatorsplayacrucialroleinmaintaining thehealthandproductivityofecosystems,andtheagriculturalsystemsrelyonthem.
Importance of Pollinators
Pollinatorsaroundtheworldareontheedgeofextinction. Thisisanimmediate threattotheenvironmentandbiologicaldiversity,andadirectthreatto agriculture.161Pollinatorsare“responsibleforhelping90%oftheworld’sflowering plantsreproduce”andnearly75%offoodcrops,asrecognizedbytheEPAand FAO.162,163
Pollinatorsplayacriticalroleinmaintainingecosystemhealth,foodsupplies,and theeconomy.164IntheUnitedStatesalone,honeybeesandotherpollinators contributeapproximately$200billionannuallyinecologicalservicesbyfacilitating thereproductionofplants.165Pollinatorsareessentialtotheproductionofthefruits andvegetablesthathumansandotherorganismsinthefoodchainrelyonfortheir sustenance.166Withoutthesepollinators,ourfoodsupplywouldbeseverely limited.167Additionally,pollinatorscontributetocleanair,soilstabilization,and oxygensupplies,makingthemcrucialfortheoverallhealthofourecosystem.168 Nativebeesarevitalforpollinationbutarenottheonlypollinators.Otheressential pollinatorsincludenativebeetles,flies,butterflies,wasps,moths,and hummingbirds.Thesediversegroupsofpollinatorsplayacrucialroleinmaintaining thehealthandproductivityofecosystems,andtheagriculturalsystemsrelyonthem.
Habitat Loss
Pollinatordeclineisprimarilydrivenbythelossoftheirhabitats,whichare increasinglybeingreplacedbyartificialstructureslikeroadways,non-nativeplants, 168https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Understanding-Conservation/Ecosystem-Services 167https://ento.psu.edu/research/centers/pollinators/resources-and-outreach/pollinators-101 166https://www.pollinator.org/pollinators#
165https://www.farmers.gov/blog/value-birds-and-bees
164https://www.nps.gov/subjects/pollinators/what-is-a-pollinator.htm 163https://www.fao.org/pollination/background/bees-and-other-pollinators/en/ 162https://www.epa.gov/sciencematters/protecting-pollinators 161https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/29/bees-food-crops-shortage-study 160https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Understanding-Conservation/ 159https://ento.psu.edu/research/centers/pollinators/resources-and-outreach/pollinators-101 158https://www.pollinator.org/pollinators#
157https://www.farmers.gov/blog/value-birds-and-bees
15 finelycutgrass,andsyntheticturf.169Theeffectsofpesticidesonbiodiversityand habitatlossareseenallaroundtheworld.InNorthAmerica,theconversionofland forhumanusealonehasresultedinthesignificantlossofvitalpollinatorhabitats.170 InGermany,insectbiomasshasdeclinedmorethan70%inthelastfewdecades,and thefarmlandbirdpopulationsinEuropehavebeenhalved.171
A2019studyrecognizedchemicalpollution,includingpesticides,asthesecond leadingdriverfortheworldwidedeclineininsectpopulations.172Theintensification andindustrializationofagriculturesincethemid-20thcenturyhaveledtocrops occupyingabout11%oftheworld’slandsurface,withactivegrazingtakingan additional30%.Large-scalefarming,monoculture,pesticides,fertilizers,andthe eliminationofinterspersedhedgerowsandotherwildlifehabitatfragmentshave destroyedinsectsandbiodiversityeverywhere.173
Pollinatorsrelyontheirnativehabitatsforfood,reproduction,andsafety.174 Pollinatorhabitatsmustbeprotected!
Human Health
Thesocialcostofpesticideuseisestimatedat$10billionperyear,buttheharmto children,pregnantwomen,publichealth,andthelossesofpollinators,birds,fish, insects,biodiversity,healthysoils,foodproduction,andclimatechangecannotbe fullycaptured.175Howcouldweputapriceonachild’shealthandfuture? Documentedpesticidepoisonings,shorterlifespans,andseverehealthproblemsof farmworkersareofsignificantconcern.176
Neonicotinoidsareneurotoxinsthatalsoharmchildren’sdevelopingbrains.177 Exposuretoneonicotinoidsatanearlyagealters/changesthecorrect“neuronal development,” whichmeansneonicotinoidpesticidesharmthedevelopmentofthe brain.178Theinabilityofneuronstoproperlymigrateisonecauseofneurological disorders.179Neonicotinoidsdecrease“neurogenesis,”whichmeansneonicotinoids harmthegrowthofbraintissue.180Neonicotinoidsinduce“neuroinflammation,” whichmeansneonicpesticidesinflamethebrain. Neonicotinoidpesticidesharm 180https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8395098 179https://medcraveonline.com/FRCIJ/pesticides-induced-carcinogenic-amp-neurotoxic-effect-on-human.html 178https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1247187 177https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8395098 176https://www.farmworkerjustice.org/2013/07/Exposed-and-Ignored-by-Farmworker-Justice-email-version.pdf 175https://www.beyondpesticides.org/assets/media/documents/documents/pimentel.pesticides.2005update.pdf 174https://foe.org/blog/reasons-why-bees-are-dying/
173https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2002548117
172https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320718313636 171https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2019.00177/full 170https://www.xerces.org/bumblebees/conservation-efforts 169https://www.fws.gov/initiative/pollinators/threats
16 children’shealthevenatlowdoses.181Childrenaremoresusceptibletotheeffectsof environmentaltoxinsbecausetheyarestilldeveloping.
Childrenofcoloraremorelikelytobeexposedtopesticides,makingthemnotjust moresusceptiblebutmorevulnerabletoharm.182Thesechildren,forexample,those ofLatinAmericanandCaribbeancommunities,havebeenfoundtohavebeen exposedtothesepesticidesandexperiencesomeadversehealtheffects.183 Pesticidedriftsettlesonplaygrounds,porches,laundry,toys,pools,furniture, gardens,andlawnswherepeopleandchildrenlive,learn,andplay.184Thisexposes people,pollinators,andwildlifetodangerfromwhattheytouch,breathe,andeat.
Theproximitytoagriculturalpesticidesisessentialbecausepesticidescandrift miles,harmingchildrenandfamilieslivingnearagriculturalfields.185,186 Childrenwhoworkinagricultureareroutinelyexposedtoneonicsandothertoxic pesticides.187Assuch,itismorallybankrupttoallowchildagriculturalworkers.
Documentedpesticidepoisonings,shorterlifespans,andseverehealthproblemsof farmworkersareofsignificantconcern.188
Ban Dicamba
Dicambaisanorganophosphatethatishighlyvolatileandcanquicklybecome airborne.189Dicambaisfoundinover1,000differentherbicideproductsintheUnited States.Itiscommonlyusedtoselectivelycontrolbroadleafweedsincorn,soy,and othercrops.190
Organophosphates(OP)arechemicalsubstancesproducedbytheprocessof esterificationbetweenphosphoricacidandalcohol.191Thesechemicalsareharmfulto insects,humans,plants,andanimalsandarecommonlyfoundinmany insecticides.192Organophosphatesarefoundinmostinsecticidesandarefrequently usedformosquitocontrol.193IntheUnitedStates,thirty-sixorganophosphatesare approvedtobeusedinhomes,agriculture,andveterinarypractices.194 194https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rmpp_6thed_ch5_organophosphates.pdf 193https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/OP-DPM_FactSheet.html 192https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/npi/substances/fact-sheets/phosphoric-acid#:~ 191https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499860/
190https://www.mda.state.mn.us/dicamba#:~:text=DicambaselectiveherbicidecropsMinnesota. 189https://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/issues/6459/pesticides/dicamba 188https://www.farmworkerjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Exposed-and-Ignored-by-Farmworker 187https://www.aft.org/community/child-labor-united-states 186https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11097803/
185https://europepmc.org/article/AGR/IND20460440
184https://www.epa.gov/reducing-pesticide-drift/introduction-pesticide-drift 183https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36173136/
182https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-022-13057-4 181https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0329-0102 17 Organophosphateresidueiscommonlyfoundoncropssuchaslettuce,peaches,and apples.195ManyAmericanshaveatleastoneormorepesticideagentsintheirbodies.
Multipleorganophosphatesarecarcinogenictohumansandanimals,andmanymore stillneedtobeadequatelytested.196
Organophosphatesarebelievedtocontributesignificantlytochildhoodcancersand breastcancer.197,198Ifpregnantwomencomeincontactwithorganophosphates,their unbornbabieshaveariskofdevelopingneurologicaldisordersandcongenital disabilities.199Childrenareatahigherriskfororganophosphatepoisoning;77,000 babieseachdayareexposedtohighlevelsoforganophosphatesinbabyfoodsuchas applesauce,peaches,andpears.200Thesmallersizeofchildrencompoundedwith less-developedimmuneandnervoussystemscreatesamoreserioushealthriskthan adults.201
Organophosphatescanalsocauseincreasedurination,vomiting,memoryloss, breathingdifficulty,headaches,sweating,andseizures.202Bothwildlifeand domesticatedanimalsareatriskofexposuretoorganophosphates;OPexposurein animalscancauseexperiencesofnausea,vomiting,diarrhea,andtrouble breathing.203Humansandanimalscanbepoisonedbyingestion,dermalcontact,and inhalation.204Inthepasttenyears,theEPAhasonlybannedtheuseoftwotypesof organophosphates–parathionanddiazinon–forresidentialuse.205 A2020epidemiologicalstudyfollowednearly50,000pesticideapplicatorsinIowa andNorthCarolinaforovertwodecades,withoverhalfoftheapplicatorsusing dicamba.Thisstudyprovedarelationbetweenhighdicambaexposureandincreased riskofcancer,especiallyleukemia,livercancer,andintrahepaticbileductcancer.206 Dicambacanalterliverfunctioninwaysthatpromotelivercancerandtumorsin combinationwithothercarcinogens.207,208Additionally,dicambawasfoundtocause DNAmutations209andinduceoxidativestress210throughDNAdamage,whichare bothconditionsthatcancausecancer.211Oxidativestresshasalsobeenlinkedto neurodegenerativedisease,cardiovasculardisease,diabetesmellitus,andmanyother 211https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1535610820302749 210https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16828255/
209https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18676083/
208https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9863012/
207https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7657066/
206https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/49/4/1326/5827818 205https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7399930/ 204https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470430/Organophosphatepesticideexposure 203https://cwhl.vet.cornell.edu/disease/organophosphate-toxicity 202https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320350#symptoms 201https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6982419/#:~:text=Infants%20and%20children%20are 200https://www.supermarketnews.com/archive/study-baby-food-has-unsafe-pesticide-levels 199https://earthjustice.org/feature/organophosphate-pesticides-united-states 198https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/14/5030
197https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/clusters/fallon/organophosfaq.htm#:~:text=Some%20studies%20in%20adults 196https://monographs.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/mono112.pdf 195https://www.ewg.org/research/overexposed-organophosphate-insecticides-childrens-food 18 pathologies.212TherecklessdecisionsmadebytheEPAandstategovernment agenciesconcerningdicambaneedtocometoanend.213Itmustbebannedtoprotect human,plant,andanimalspeciesfromharmfuldicambaexposure. 2,4-D is a Toxic Herbicide
2,4-Disinthephenoxyclassofchemicalsandisclassifiedasaherbicide.214This herbicidealtersplantcellswhichendsupkillingthem.2152,4-Diswidelyusedandis oneoftwoingredientsinAgentOrange,adangerouschemicalmixtureusedbythe militaryonforestsduringtheVietnamWar,whichhasbeenshowntocausemany typesofcancerandotherserioushealthissueslikeParkinson’sdisease, hypothyroidism,type2diabetes,andischemicheartdisease.216,217 Therehasbeena67%increaseintheamountof2,4-Dthathasbeenappliedin agricultureinthepasttenyears,whichhasdramaticallyincreasedexposurerates.218 1in3Americanshavedetectableconcentrationsof2,4-Dintheirbodies.219Thistoxic herbicideislinkedtocancer,endocrinedisruption,reproductiveeffects, neurotoxicity,kidney/liverdamage,andbirth/developmentaleffectsandisharmful tobirds,fish,andbees.220Childrenages6-11aretwiceaslikelytobeharmedby 2,4-Dduetovariousfactorssuchasplayingoutsideandincreasedsensitivityto chemicalexposures.Arecentstudypredictsthattheexposureto2,4-Dwillrisein vulnerablepopulationsifwedonotactnowtobanthistoxicherbicide.221 TheInternationalAgencyforResearchonCancer(IARC)designated2,4-Daspossibly carcinogenicin2015,despitetheEPAclaimingthatitisnotlikelytobecarcinogenic tohumans.222
2,4-D and Dicamba Harm Pollinators
2,4-Distoxictobeesandcaninhibitbees'abilitytofly.223Itcanalsocauseheart contractionsinhoneybees.2242,4-Dindirectlyharmspollinatorsbydestroyingtheir foodsourcesandcausingdeathbystarvation.225Weedsarekilledby2,4-D,butthey areavitalfoodsourceforpollinators,andtheyrelyonthemforsurvival.226 226https://www.oneearth.org/six-reasons-why-you-should-love-weeds/#:~:text=1.,crops%20wo 225https://www.xerces.org/pesticides/understanding-pesticides 224https://rachelcarsonlandmarkalliance.org/rcla-reporting/a-herb 223https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00288233.1964.10416414 222https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/pr236_E.pdf 221https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-021-00815-x 220https://www.beyondpesticides.org/resources/pesticide-gateway?pesticideid=1 219https://beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/2022/02/one-third-of-americans-have-hazardous-weed-killer 218https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-021-00815-x 217https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/agent-orange/ 216https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/24-d 215https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYENVIRONMENTS/TRACKINGASSESSMENT/ENVIRO 214https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/reg_actions/reregistration/fs_PC-030001_30-Jun-05.pdf 213https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/national-institutes-health-study-links-dicamba 212https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213231715000038 19 Dicambacausesplantstobloomless,227resultinginfewervisitationsbypollinators.
Thiscanleadtoissueswithreproduction,navigation,andmemoryofpollinatorsand habitats,andexposuretopathogensanddiseases.228Dicambadriftscanalsodamage naturalareasandwildlifeinsects,includingspeciesthatbeesandotherpollinators relyonforsurvival.229
Ban Pyrethroid Insecticides
Pyrethroidinsecticidesaretoxictopollinators.230Althoughpyrethroidsaresprayed oncropsandintheairtocontrolmosquitos,231theyareoneofthemaintoxinsthat causecolonycollapsedisorderinbees.232Pyrethroidsarealsohighlytoxictofish, especiallyintheirjuvenilestages.233
Exposuretopyrethroidscancausedizziness,headaches,musclespasms,lossof consciousness,andconvulsions.234Manypyrethroidinsecticidesarelinkedto autism,Alzheimer’s,andParkinson’sdiseasesandareknowntobehighlytoxicto pollinatorsandfish.235TheonlycurrentprotectivemandatebytheEPAisa10-to 25-foot-widebufferofpermanentvegetationbetweenfieldssprayedwithpesticides andanybodyofwater.Thisisdrasticallysmallerthanitsoriginalrecommendation fora66-footwidebuffer.236
TherehavebeenotherEPAdecisionsconcerningpyrethroidsthathavelowered protectionsandmandates,despitethelinksbetweentheharmfulchemicalsand subsequentlearningdisabilitiesandneurologicaldiseases.237Forinstance,the agencydecidedtoincreasetheamountofpyrethroidexposureconsideredsafefor childrenthreefoldbasedonconfidentialpesticide-industrystudiesandamodel developedbypyrethroidpesticidecompanies.Twoseparatescientificadvisorypanels withpeer-reviewed,independentstudiesdisplayedcontradictoryevidencebutwere ignoredbytheEPA.238,239
Soils and Climate Change
Soil’svitalfunctionssustainplanetary,animal,andplantlife.Italsoregulateswater flow,filtersandbufferspollutants,cyclesnutrients,andprovidesphysicalstability 239https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8184428/
238https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8240001/
237https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/trump-administration-ends-long-standing- 236https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/trump-epa-proposes-weaker-protections-toxic 235https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0331-0176 234https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=786&toxid=153 233https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8300353/ 232https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201124152820.htm#:~:text=Pyrethroids 231https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/PHS/PHS.aspx?phsid=785&toxid=153 230http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/pyrethrins.html
229https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/farmers-conservationists- 228https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26184786/
227https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.3169 20 andsort.240Soilisanessentialallyinfightingthethreatsofclimatechange.Carbon sequestrationhasbeenarelativelynaturalwayofremovingcarbondioxidefromthe atmospherewithalessharmfulimpactonland,water,energy,andcost.241Currently, oursoilsremoveabout25percentoftheworld’sfossilfuelemissionsannually.
Large-scaleagriculturalpracticesthatdisturbsoiltillage,242mono-cropplanting,crop residueremoval,243excessiveuseoffertilizersandpesticides,alongwithovergrazing, exposetheatmospheretocarbonfoundinsoil;thiscarboncombineswithoxygen, allowingittoburnintotheatmosphere.Anexcessofcarboncausestemperaturesto increase,facilitatingclimatechange.244Reducingthedisturbancesonmanagedlands bypracticingno-tillfarming,harvestingforestslessfrequently,andleavinggreen spaceinurbanareascanreducecarbonemissionsfromsoils,ensuringthatcarbon isnotreleasedbackintotheatmosphere.245
Ban Synthetic Pesticides
WeasktheCityofSantaRosatobantheuseofsyntheticpesticides.
Thedecisionswemaketodayaffectourchildren’shealthandfuture.
Sincerely,
SuzanneM.Hume
[email protected]
(760)518-2776
CleanEarth4Kids.org
245https://www.soils.org/files/sssa/iys/november-soils-overview.pdf 244https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2018/02/21/can-soil-help-combat-climate-change/ 243https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2017/residue-removal-impacts-yield 242https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/frequent-tillage-and-its-impact-soil-quality 241https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-carbon-sequestration
240https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/education-and-teaching-materials/what-is-soil 21 From: Rika Gopinath
To: Montoya, Michelle
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Public Comment to Climate Action Sub-Committee Date: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 1:46:59 PM
Hello Chair Rogers and Members Rogers and Fleming,
My name is Rika Gopinath and I am Chair of YardSmartMarin and Co-Chair of the California chapter of NonToxic Communities. We support efforts to eliminate toxic chemicals to protect public health and the environment.
Purveyors of artificial turf pitch their products as an environmentally smart choice. A closer look at the facts shows this is not the case and artificial turf has a negative impact on efforts to combat climate change.
It is not surprising that fields of plastic would create heat islands, directly worsening climate change. Surface temperatures can be dangerously high, even leading to melted shoes and heat stroke. Artificial turf contributes to climate change in indirect ways as well.
Artificial turf is made of petroleum-based polyethylene plastic. This plastic is the most prolific emitter of methane (20 times more potent than carbon dioxide) and ethylene gases. These fields generate greenhouse gasses over the course of their useful lives (only 8-10 years) and for hundreds of years after they are dumped in landfills - an astonishing 40,000 lbs of synthetic waste per acre. Despite industry claims, artificial grass cannot be effectively recycled.
All of this plastic degrades into microplastics that contaminate our water, soil, and air.
The plastic blades of grass and their backing contain dangerous chemicals such as PFAS and flame retardants. The infill material contains chemicals including known carcinogens plus heavy metals like lead.
The answer is to turn to organically managed real grass instead. Real grass sequesters carbon and cools the earth. And Santa Rosa can get funding, training, and support from Beyond Pesticides with their Parks for a Sustainable Future program. I am the North Bay contact and I am currently working with multiple Marin municipalities to apply for this program. I would be happy to talk with you about this opportunity as well.
Organic grass has come a long way in the past decade. Today, organically managed grass is more drought-tolerant, more-pest-resistant and healthier than conventionally managed grass. This is possible because organic land management systematically builds the health of the soil. When soil is healthy, purchasing chemical fertilizers and herbicides is not necessary and thus it is actually less expensive to manage grass this way. And of course not using pesticides makes these fields a safer place to play.
I encourage you to pass a ban on artificial turf and pesticides, and turn to organic land management instead. Our children and our planet will thank you for making this choice.
Rika Gopinath
Chair, Yard Smart Marin
Pronouns: she/her
www.yardsmartmarin.org
From: Annie Stuart
To: Montoya, Michelle
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Ban plastic grass, stop using herbicides Date: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 2:03:12 PM
Dear Santa Rosa City Council Members,
Most of us care deeply about the health of our children, environment, and climate.
If this describes you, ask yourself why it makes sense to continue to install plastic grass – an “invasive species” that seriously harms all three. Synthetic turf:
Contains plastic, a petrochemical product, and recycled tires or other untested materials Releases microplastics and toxic chemicals – many that are linked to cancer – into our soil, water, and air, putting children at greatest risk
Creates heat island effects – an increasing concern, given rising temperatures Requires ongoing maintenance costs for sanitation and disinfection Has a short “life,” requiring regular replacement and increasing overall costs Is not recyclable in the U.S. and is therefore incinerated or landfilled at the end of its useful “life,” contributing to our climate crisis and putting nearby communities at risk Lead the way in Sonoma County.
First, ban installation of new plastic grass fields. With adequate funding for our parks, we can successfully maintain natural grass fields and address issues such as watering and injuries from gopher holes.
Second, stop using synthetic herbicides. According to the Pesticide Action Network, 99 percent of all synthetic chemicals, including pesticides, are derived from fossil fuels and can release greenhouse gas emissions after application. Additionally, their production, on average, requires 10 times more energy than that of nitrogen fertilizer.
With a rapidly accelerating climate crisis and myriad environmental challenges, we cannot afford short-term thinking. Please act on our behalf.
Annie Stuart,
Steering Committee Member
--
Annie Stuart
Encore Editorial Services
www.encoredit.com
From: Yes
To: Montoya, Michelle
Subject: [EXTERNAL]
Date: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 2:58:09 PM
Using synthetic pesticides is unconscionable especially Round up that causes Lymphoma for those who apply it and the resulting environmental harm that results in their use. Also artificial grass kills the soil underneath rendering dead zones and it increases heat which we do not need in this time of excess high temperatures.
Thoughts of saving money now will lead to damage that will cost Santa Rosa more in the future to mitigate the damage.
Thank you, Cyndi Houck, Santa Rosa, 95405
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