Keep Methyl Iodide out of California Fields

[Guest guest]

Please help stop the use of this highly toxic chemical on our food supply.

<http://action.ufw.org/page/speakout/cadpr_mel>

http://action.ufw.org/page/speakout/cadpr_mel

Take

<http://action.ufw.org/page/m/3bed9d77/1457c859/465c6da9/2b46b3dd/2779638882/VEs\

F/> Action to Keep Methyl Iodide out of

California Fields

Comment period expires in a week on June 29th

California is on the verge of approving a dangerous carcinogenic gas for use on

strawberry fields and other food crops. Methyl

Iodide is so toxic that scientists in labs use only small amountsand wear

special protective equipment. In fact it's so reliably

carcinogenic that it's used to induce cancer in the lab. It's a fumigant so

there is a constant threat of it drifting to farm

workers and rural communities.

Yet the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is on the verge of

approving its use in the fields. They are doing this

despite their Independent California Scientific Review Committee (SRC) issuing a

<http://www.panna.org/files/SRC_methyl_iodide_peer_review_report.pdf> final

report (PDF), which

<http://www.panna.org/files/Release-MethylIodideSciencePanelReport-2-11-10.pdf>

found (PDF) that " any anticipated scenario for the

agricultural.use of this agent would.have a significant adverse impact on the

public health. "

Last Thursday a Sacramento hearing was convened by the California Senate Food

and Agriculture Committee, where members of the panel

testified. Dr. Froines of UCLA who chaired the committee, said, " This is,

without question, one of the most toxic chemicals on

earth. " DPR does not seem to be listening to the scientists they hired.

Please help. If Methyl Iodide use is approved, this toxic poison can be released

directly into California's air. We have to stop

this. The DPR is accepting public comments on its proposal through June 28.

Please take the time to send an e-mail to the DPR

immediately and ask them not to release this toxin into our environment.

There is little to debate about Methyl Iodide's toxicity. It is a known

neurotoxin, disrupts thyroid function, damages developing

fetuses, and has caused lung tumors in laboratory animals. California already

classifies it as a human carcinogen. Fumigating fields

with the gas, even with the strictest regulations, would no doubt still result

in unacceptable exposures to farm workers and nearby

communities.

We have one last chance to stop Methyl Iodide from being used in our fields.

Please submit your comment today and tell DPR that we

don't want to be exposed to this poison.