The colored parts of the image above, prepared by Columbia University scientists, indicate where a child’s brain is physically altered after exposure to this pesticide.

UPDATE: CALIFORNIA IS DONE, DONE, DONE with this neurotoxin!

Governor Newsom and the California Environmental Protection Agency announced yesterday (Wednesday, 5/8) that the Department of Pesticide Regulation is moving to ban the use of chlorpyrifos in California by initiating cancellation of the pesticide, according to a news release issued today.

The cancellation process could take up to two years. During the cancellation process, DPR’s recommendations to county agricultural commissioners for tighter permit restrictions on the use of chlorpyrifos will remain in place. These include a ban on aerial spraying, quarter-mile buffer zones and limiting use to crop-pest combinations that lack alternatives. DPR will support aggressive enforcement of these restrictions.

Newsom will propose $5.7 million in new funding in the May Revision budget proposal to support the transition to safer, more sustainable alternatives, and plans to convene a working group to identify, evaluate and recommend alternative pest management solutions. “California’s action to cancel the registration of chlorpyrifos is needed to prevent the significant harm this pesticide causes children, farm workers and vulnerable communities,” said CalEPA Secretary Jared Blumenfeld. “This action also represents a historic opportunity for California to develop a new framework for alternative pest management practices.”

Minimal script – Call or email: I’m calling from [zip code] and I want to thank Governor Newsom for banning chlorpyrifos (klaw-pir’-uh-fos), the terrible neurotoxin that’s been harming California residents and their children.

Contact: Governor Gavin Newsom: email, (916) 445-2841

Action #1 – Stand Indivisible with other states! Support H.R. 230/S.921 – Ban Toxic Pesticides Act of 2019

Continue reading “Thurs 5/9: This is our kids’ brains on chlorpyrifos. UPDATE: Newsom bans it in CA!” →

The colored parts of the image above, prepared by Columbia University scientists, indicate where a child’s brain is physically altered after exposure to this pesticide.

Announcement: The guy who protected chlorpyrifos is now Secretary of the Interior…

David Bernhardt, the man who intervened to suppress the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) report on the lethal effects of chlorpyrifos on endangered species, was confirmed today (Thursday) as Secretary of the Interior (and boss of the FWS) in a 56-41 vote with three Democrats and one Independent voting for him. Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.(?)), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.(?)) and Angus King (I-Maine) voted in favor of his confirmation. (Note: Both Maine Sens. Susan Collins (R) and King voted for Bernhardt because he promised that their state would not be open to his evil offshore drilling plan – apparently Maine’s ocean is separated by an invisible force field from the ocean off other northeastern states!)

Action #1 – CA isn’t waiting for the EPA to ban chlorpyrifos. 

Continue reading “Thurs 4/11: This is our kids’ brains on chlorpyrifos. New Senate action! Update on CA action! Learning to pronounce it -ongoing…” →

The colored parts of the image above, prepared by Columbia University scientists, indicate where a child’s brain is physically altered after exposure to this pesticide.

Action #1 – CA isn’t waiting for the EPA to ban chlorpyrifos. 

SB 458 (Durazo) will ban the use of Dow’s highly profitable pesticide chlorpyrifos (klaw-pir’-uh-fos) in California, its biggest market, because the EPA will no longer do its job. In 2016, the agency’s own scientists and the Dept. of Pesticide Regulation determined that there was no safe level on food crops and prepared to completely ban its use. After the election, however, the new and now-disgraced EPA director Scott Pruitt reversed course. Therefore, Californians are still being exposed to a neurotoxin that can cause serious, irreversable harm to adults, children, as well as fetuses, through residue on food which cannot be washed or peeled off, water pollution, or drift from 1/2 mile away. Everyone is at risk. The bill is co-sponsored by CPR allies/members: the United Farm Workers, the American Academy of Pediatrics-California and Earthjustice.

Earthjustice is currently presenting its case against the EPA reversal in court, but the agency can draw this out for years. Meanwhile, activists who are pushing for state and local bans to speed up the process of protecting their communities. Hawaii has already banned this toxin. We can too.

Minimal script: I’m calling from [zip code] and I want Senator [___] to vote ‘YES” on SB 458 – the “Protect Children from Brain-Damaging Chlorpyrifos Act of 2019.”

Continue reading “Tues 3/26: This is our kids’ brains on chlorpyrifos. State & federal actions.” →