Pesticides are intentional poisons: we know as we use them that they are designed to interfere with animal, plant and environmental systems. California accounts for about 25% of all pesticide use in the country. These reported figures do not include so-called inert ingredients (unidentified but potentially hazardous chemicals that make up the bulk of many pesticide formulations), over-the-counter consumer use, and many other non-agricultural applications.
Pesticides put human health at risk About one-third of total pesticide use in the state is known to be particularly toxic to humans, either as immediate (acute) poisons and/or chronic toxins. Children are particularly vulnerable to many, and susceptible to exposure. These "bad actor" pesticides are those recognized by California and federal regulatory agencies as having high acute toxicity; as known or probable carcinogens, neurotoxins, or reproductive or developmental toxicants; or as known groundwater contaminants in California.
People are regularly exposed to pesticides Pesticides are found in our lawns, gardens, parks, workplaces, schools, and homes, in the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. These varied pathways make controlling public exposure to pesticides a virtual impossibility. As a result, many Californians are exposed to pesticides without their knowledge through many combinations of "pathways of exposure." We all face risks that are very difficult to measure, especially the most vulnerable groups in society - farmworkers because of constant exposure, and children because of their physiology, growth and habits. Read more about the Health Effects of Pesticides.
Government and Corporations Push Pesticides California is one of the most important markets for pesticides and accounts for over 15% of the $11 billion U.S. pesticide market. To keep the chemicals flowing, the pesticide industry has exerted intense pressure to influence how the government, farmers and the general public deal with pest control by giving millions of dollars to state and national election campaigns, ensuring their advocates are placed in regulatory agencies, falsifying information on the impacts of their products and using powerful public relations machines to undermine critics of the chemical industry.
Managing pests without pesticides Given the very real risks pesticides pose to human health and the environment, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the most hazardous pesticides are phased out, that all pesticide use is reduced, that the public has full access to information about where and when pesticides are used, that safe alternatives are used and that growers are supported in transitioning to more healthy production practices. Read more about Alternatives to Pesticides.
