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Lamorinda Pesticide Problem
Did You Know these Facts about Weed & Ant Sprays…
Research studies from major Universities throughout the world, such as U.C. Berkeley’s
School of Public Health, Colombia University, and Keck, at the Southern CA University
Medical School’s Public Health Dept. have recently linked low levels of pesticide
exposures in fetus and children to chronic asthma, childhood leukemia, developmental
damage, among other problems. (See table)
We often don’t consider lawn chemicals or commonly used ant control pesticides to be of
concern. Herbicides, a type of pesticide, used to kill broadleaf weeds in lawns or
pre-emergents used to prevent germination of weed seeds, are linked to serious illnesses.
Pyrethroids, a family of broad-spectrum insecticides that have replaced diazinon are
killing water organisms. Many are suspected hormone disruptors at best, and are
reproductive and developmental toxins at worst. (See table)
Our landscaping runoff, containing pesticides, ends up in the Delta, killing fish and
other organisms or entering the food chain. Furthermore, the contaminated Delta water
is pumped into the San Leandro Reservoir, a primary drinking water source. Wouldn’t only
relatively safe products be sold and applied? Not necessarily. We have much data gaps
in diseases and their causes along with political pressure from the industry for
consumers to prove danger instead of the other way around.
The Lamorinda and Danville areas are known to contract out the largest amount of
scheduled, bi-monthly applications by pest control operators according to the County’s
Agricultural Commissioner’s Office. Some of the pesticides applied are reproductive,
developmental and hormonal toxins to humans. In addition, these pesticides are also
listed as possible cancer causing agents in people (Table). Many lawn fertilizers also
contain pesticides that damage the hormone system and cause developmental damage,
particularly risking the health of the fetus and young children. Pets are vulnerable,
having more contact with lawns. Many provinces in Canada, European countries, and U.S.
towns/counties including those in California have banned these chemicals for aesthetic
use due to public health concerns.
What do we do about all the pests? The good news is that there are safer alternatives
that work. Prevention is the key in most cases but many new and old proven safer
products are available. Turn this page for resources and quick guidance to controlling
common pests.
Parents for a Safer Environment (PfSE) is an all-volunteer, grass roots organization
founded in August, 2002 by Susan JunFish, MPH, a mother of a 3 year old at the time due
to the high frequency of environmental hazards seen in the preschools of Lamorinda.
In 2004, PfSE is focusing on pesticide use reform in the towns of Moraga, Orinda and
Lafayette. We are presently working to train town parks and facilities staff on
pesticide use reduction, ‘integrated pest management’; Giving talks to community service
groups, hospitals and schools; Writing articles for local publications; Developing a
resource list for safer gardening and structural pest control services; And conducting
research on pesticide drift in residential areas of Lamorinda.
We are always looking for volunteers and those with a heart and enthusiasm to work with
us in any capacity! We are presently looking for legal/accounting help to gain a
non-profit status, help with graphic arts for a brochure, help with designing a
community survey on pesticide use/children’s health, residents who are using scheduled
pest control operators and who would volunteer their yard for a pesticide drift study;
and help with writing/finding grants and funding to sustain our work. Contact Susan
JunFish at junfishpfse@hotmail.com or 925-283-4609.
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