Latest news with #CaliforniaDepartmentofPesticideRegulation
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Pesticide levels found in Stanislaus County air — but far below danger limits
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation shared early findings from a seasonal air monitoring study conducted last year in Stanislaus County. The central question driving the study: Are pesticide levels in the air high enough to pose health risks? While the three pesticides monitored were detected in some samples, all concentrations remained below health-based safety thresholds. Preliminary data showed that both short- and medium-term levels of the fumigants were very low — none exceeded DPR's regulatory limits. 'From the start, this project has been about transparency, community involvement and working together to understand what's in the air during the peak months of pesticide use,' Stanislaus County Agricultural Commissioner Linda Pinfold said in a statement. 'We're all committed to protecting the health and safety of our residents, supporting our farmworkers and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our farming operations.' Yvan Delgaro, senior environmental scientist with the DPR's Air Program, gave a presentation Friday at the Grayson Community Center, where about 40 people gathered to hear the findings. As part of DPR's ongoing efforts to evaluate pesticide safety, the agency collects air samples to measure pesticide levels, uses computer models to analyze the data and determines whether action is needed to reduce potential health risks from exposure. If a risk is found, DPR can recommend measures including limiting how much pesticide can be used, who can apply it, how and when it's applied — such as during certain weather conditions — and how close applications can be to homes, schools, or the size of the treated area. These rules are enforced by county agricultural commissioners. DPR's Air Program conducted a 15-week monitoring study from Jan. 20 to May 10, 2024, testing four days a week for three specific pesticides in the air. The study period was chosen based on past pesticide application patterns. Air monitors were placed in Grayson, the Monterey Park Tract west of Turlock, and Hughson — locations chosen due to both community interest and local pesticide use. This marked the first time DPR conducted a multi-community air study in Stanislaus County, which was selected because of its high pesticide use between 2019 and 2021 and concerns raised by residents. The air samples were tested for three soil fumigants: 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D), chloropicrin and methyl isothiocyanate (MITC). These pesticides turn into gas after being applied to soil to kill pests and can drift from the application site into the air. All three monitoring sites showed similar detection patterns, with more frequent detection in April. The highest levels were found in Grayson that month, with 1,3-D reaching 1.5% of DPR's regulatory target — a level still well below what is considered harmful. Regulatory targets are the levels of pesticides in the air that are considered safe for everyone, with no expected health effects. Of the three pesticides, 1,3-D was detected in 19% of samples, MITC in 34% and chloropicrin not at all. Overall, the concentrations found were low compared to safety thresholds. All three pesticides are classified as toxic air contaminants and restricted materials, meaning they can pose serious health risks if people are exposed to high levels. Because of these risks, a permit is required to apply them. Each pesticide is used on different crops common in the region. 1,3-D is often applied before planting almonds and sweet potatoes, chloropicrin is used for almonds and transplanting other crops, and MITC is commonly used on tomatoes, melons and watermelons. Exposure to these pesticides can cause a range of symptoms, including skin and nose irritation, chest pain, difficulty breathing, watery or burning eyes, coughing, headache, nausea, sore throat and excessive salivation. MITC, in particular, can lead to additional issues like numbness or tingling in the limbs, memory problems, headaches and behavioral changes. Long-term exposure to 1,3-D has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. DPR advises anyone who may have been exposed to a pesticide to seek immediate medical attention by calling 911 or going to the nearest hospital — and to make sure medical staff are aware that pesticide exposure is suspected. Grayson resident John Mataka urged community members to advocate for themselves at medical appointments. He noted that symptoms can sometimes be brushed off as allergies, so it's important to ask doctors to report the exposure. 'You gotta push the doctor,' Mataka said. New regulations on 1,3-D went into effect at the start of 2024, making this the first focused study of the pesticide under the new rules. DPR is currently working with the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to develop additional restrictions on 1,3-D use. The full dataset from this air monitoring study will be released in June as part of DPR's Pesticide Air Monitoring Results. A full report is expected later this year or early next year. Residents can track local pesticide applications by visiting the Spray Days website, where they can view an interactive map and sign up for notifications. Low-income households in disadvantaged communities may also qualify for a free home air filtration unit through the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District's Clean Air Rooms Program. To be eligible, residents must live within the district and not have previously received a unit. To report a pesticide exposure or misuse, contact the County Agricultural Commissioner's Office. Reports can also be submitted anonymously using the CASPIR app. Additional community presentations will be held Monday at 4:30 p.m. at the Monterey Park Tract Community Center, 7655 Foy Ave., and Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the United Samaritan Community Center in Hughson, 2314 Third St. Snacks, interpretation and childcare activities will be provided, courtesy of Valley Improvement Projects. 'I'm grateful for the partnerships that made this study possible — they showed a strong commitment to finding balance: protecting our environment and communities while also supporting our vital agricultural industry. This is a powerful example of what we can accomplish when science, local knowledge, and community voices come together,' Pinfold stated.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
SprayDays California to provide pesticide alerts, interactive online map
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation recently launched a new program to alert the public about the nearby use of restricted material pesticides. SprayDays California, which is being described as 'a first-of-its-kind statewide system,' is designed to deliver transparent, accessible, and timely notifications and information about the use of these pesticides. By signing up on the SprayDays website, users can access an interactive online map and receive email or text updates about pesticide applications 48 hours before the intended use of soil fumigants, and 24 hours before the use of other restricted pesticides. Website visitors, even without signing up, can search for scheduled pesticide applications on a map by entering any California address. SprayDays will then show the location of nearby applications, based on information supplied by growers or other applicators. The website also provides the product name of any pesticide to be used, its active ingredients, the application method, the number of acres to be treated, and the pesticide's EPA registration number. This information will stay on the website for four days after the scheduled application, according to state officials. 'The notification system is specifically for restricted material pesticides that are used in production agriculture across the state,' explained Juvenio Guerra, outreach lead for the new system. 'Those are the only types of pesticides that this notification system is for, and they have a higher level of regulation standards that they have to meet. There's a lot of regulation around who can actually apply these, when, and where.' Before using restricted material pesticide applications, growers and other applicators are required to provide a notice of intent to their county ag commissioners. 'That's a process that's already been in place,' Guerra said. 'It was in place before the SprayDays system. The only thing that's changing is that these notices of intent have to be submitted electronically. 'When these are submitted electronically, usually they're reflected in real time on our map and in our system, and in our notifications,' he added. SprayDays California is the state's response to public concerns about the use of pesticides in their areas. 'It stems from an interest that people had in wanting to know more, particularly communities in agricultural areas across the state that have been wanting to have more access and transparency around pesticide applications,' Guerra said. 'It's a widespread interest that has been growing over the years. That's really what was the core driver of this program being approved and developed. 'They were contacting our department, but also legislators,' he said. 'This actually came down to us from the California State Legislature.' Latest news, sports and more: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the Times-Delta app SprayDays California, state officials said, was developed through "extensive public engagement" to improve access to information and enhance understanding of the state's pesticide regulatory framework. 'Managing pests – such as insects, rodents and weeds – is vital for protecting public health, the environment, the stability of our food supply and maintenance of our infrastructure,' said Karen Morrison, California Department of Pesticide Regulation director. The SprayDays system was among the 2021-2022 state budget allocations approved by the California State Legislature, which assigned the Department of Pesticide Regulation to develop and implement it. The development process, which included two years of focus groups and public meetings, followed by pilot projects in four counties, took about four years. More information about SprayDays California, including a video, fact sheet, and flyer, is available on the SprayDays website. This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: SprayDays California: New system alerts public to pesticide use
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Incredible dogs trained to protect vineyards with new method of pest control: 'It's a game to them'
Want a suitable replacement for pesticides? Apparently, dogs just might be it. Dr. Stephanie Bolton, a sustainable winegrowing director for the Lodi Winegrape Commission, wanted to find eco-friendly ways to combat pests (mainly the vine mealybug) in wine vineyards. After receiving a $428,000 grant from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, she went to work, successfully training four dogs known for their above-average sense of smell to find mealybugs and infected vines. Should the government be allowed to restrict how much water we use? Definitely Only during major droughts No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The results were astonishing. According to Wine Spectator, the dogs found mealybugs on average over 97% of the time during three sets of trials. They also detected leafroll viruses around 93% of the time. Once they locate the problem, the dogs sit to alert their handlers to a compromised vine. If you're worried about the dogs working overtime, don't be. "The canines are rewarded by play; it's a game to them," Bolton added, noting that "the dogs will even improve with time." Pesticides have been continuously proven to have adverse effects on the environment. According to the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, pesticides can pollute the air and soil when improperly applied or disposed of. There are also restrictions in place for their usage. For example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency currently has restrictions on specific toxic pesticides, though some argue that even those aren't enough, citing their harm to humans and bee populations. Using dogs completely eliminates that problem — and ups the cuteness factor on vineyards by 1000%. At this point in time, canines aren't used for pest detection on a large scale, but given Dr. Bolton's successful study, they could be. Wine Spectator shared that dogs are being taught to sniff out other pesky bugs in vineyards, suggesting that the future is bright for this one-of-a-kind project. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
