| This one is close to home. I live in the Ground Zero for strawberries. Previously, the strawberry growers used methyl bromide to fumigate the ground before planting the strawberries. Alas, it was worse than CFCs for the ozone layer, and it was phased out internationally. As recently as a few years ago, the US was still being quite uncooperative about phasing it out. It appears now that they are replacing methyl bromide with methyl iodide - a carcinogen. Ain't modern science great?
You can take action here. Think of me when you sign the letter. The pesticide drift mentioned below, well... that's in my county. I'll have the enormous pleasure of breathing that stuff. Thanks, but no thanks.
There is overwhelming evidence of potential harm from exposure to this pesticide - a chemical so toxic that scientists take precautions to use methyl iodide in a ventilation hood in very small quantities. In contrast, if registered as a soil fumigant, methyl iodide would be applied in agricultural fields at rates up to 175 pounds per acre. Since fumigants spread as a gas, they drift from the application site, poisoning neighboring residents and farm workers in nearby fields.
Methyl iodide is a clear threat to public health, could contaminate groundwater, and is not needed to build a secure, viable and healthy agricultural economy in California. Again, we strongly urge you to not fast-track the registration of methyl iodide, and instead allow DPR's process that incorporates independent scientific review and public input to proceed as planned.
After you sign the petition, do me another favor. Don't support these dumbasses with your business. Buy a bunch of strawberries in season, locally, and freeze them. Then don't buy the California strawberries available when they are out of season where you live. |
