On December 24, 2014 the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) approved a statewide Pest Environmental Impact Report (PEIR). The PEIR provides advance approval for the state to spray pesticides in our communities and on our food when and where they want, for any insect they consider a threat, anywhere in the state, for years into the future, and the public’s ability to challenge these programs would be severely restricted or in many cases, completely eliminated.
The CDFA has mandated the spraying of residential yards and other areas in San Bernardino with three pesticides (cyfluthrin, imidacloprid, and glyphosate) that are linked to cancer, birth defects, miscarriages and are extremely toxic to bees and aquatic life. The spraying, aimed at killing Asian Citrus Psyllid, has been conducted numerous times throughout California without success of CDFA’s stated goal of eradication and increases the risk of resistance.
Since the program continues to be ineffective and only reduces the numbers of the psyllid, the CDFA should reconsider the current spraying protocol and should allow residents to choose a comprehensive integrated pest management plan that protects public health and non-target animals from the effects of these toxic substances.
The Univ. of CA has released over 40,000 Tamarixia, a parasitic wasp of the ACP at over 200 different sites. Yet, they admit that it is too early to tell what the impact is. However, how will they make an impact if they are killed with pesticides? In addition, the Univ. of CA also admits that organic protocol, less toxic and safer, are effective if applied every 7-10 days. The Univ. also admits that all substances should only be applied if a heavy infestation is present on a host plant. They do NOT recommend the blanket door to door spraying of all plants regardless of infestation.
It took over 40 years for the World Health Organization to label glyphosate as a carcinogen. How many children and families continue to be exposed to this cancer causing substance? There is plenty of evidence that the proposed pesticides cause damage now and in the future through epigenetic mutations to our DNA with disease causing mutations being found 3 generations later! This page is dedicated to the mounting evidence as to the damage that these pesticides cause.
In addition, mandated spraying does not allow vulnerable populations such as those with chemical sensitivities, cancer, asthma, autoimmune diseases, allergies, pregnant women, infants, etc. to choose for their families the degree of exposure to pesticides.
It took over 40 years for the World Health Organization to label glyphosate as a carcinogen. How many children and families continue to be exposed to this cancer causing substance? There is plenty of evidence that the proposed pesticides cause damage now and in the future through epigenetic mutations to our DNA with disease causing mutations being found 3 generations later! This page is dedicated to the mounting evidence as to the damage that these pesticides cause.
In addition, mandated spraying does not allow vulnerable populations such as those with chemical sensitivities, cancer, asthma, autoimmune diseases, allergies, pregnant women, infants, etc. to choose for their families the degree of exposure to pesticides.
Epigenetics
- ARRA Investments in Environmental Exposures Impacting Epigenetics and Mutagenesis
- Environmental chemical exposures and human epigenetics
- Effect of environmental epigenetics on disease, evolution
- Environmental-Epigenetic-Evolutionary Chain’s Genetic Link
- Can We Inherit the Environmental Damage Done to Our Ancestors?
- Could the current epidemic of obesity be traced back to spraying DDT in the 1950s? Entirely possible, according to epigenetics – the new branch of research that posits that acquired characteristics can be passed down from generation to generation.
Obesity
Reproductive Health
- Exposing pregnant women to pesticides could cause inherited reproductive disorder
- Pesticides & male infertility: Harm from the womb through adulthood -- and into the next generation
- Scientists report disturbing reproductive health trends around the world, and research shows that pesticides are at least partly to blame.