February 19, 2004

CONTACT:

Eric Cárdenas, CCEHP (805) 963-1622
Mattie Gadsby, CAC (805) 964-8857

SANTA MARIA, CA- A report released today by the Central Coast Environmental Health Project (CCEHP) highlights the use of high levels of toxic pesticide within 1.5 miles of schools in Lompoc, Santa Maria, and Guadalupe. The report, entitled "Too Close for Comfort: Pesticide Use Near Five Santa Barbara County Schools," offers recommendations that elected officials, farmers, schools and parents can take to reduce the possibility of pesticide exposure associated with agricultural activities.

"With so many schools located near agricultural lands in the county, steps must be taken to ensure the safety of school aged children," said Eric Cárdenas, CCEHP director. "It is essential to address this issue proactively and collaboratively, before a serious accident occurs."

The report was drafted in response to pesticide drift incidents that have continued to plague communities and schools from Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties to the Central Valley over the last five years. The report analyzes pesticide use around five local schools, including Adam and Bonita in Santa Maria, Clarence Ruth and Miguelito in Lompoc, and McKenzie Jr. High in Guadalupe. These five schools were selected with the assistance of the County Agricultural Commissioner based on their proximity to agricultural lands.

The data in this report was obtained from the Agricultural Commissioner and the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), and shows high levels of carcinogens, nerve system and developmental toxins being used near local schools. Because of these findings, CCEHP believes extra caution should be taken near schools located at the "agricultural/urban interface."

The Community Action Commission (CAC), a service agency that, among other things, works closely with CCEHP in educating families about pesticide risks, agrees.

"At CAC, we educate parents about steps that can be taken in and around the home to reduce pesticide risks," said Mattie Gadsby, Program Assistant at CAC. "We hope and expect that planners, elected officials, schools and growers seriously look at the recommendations in order to reduce people's exposure to pesticides as well."

The report, using 2002 data, identifies the following usage within 1.5 miles of the schools
listed:
· Bonita School- 183,372 lbs.
· Adam School- 168,242 lbs.
· Kermit McKenzie Junior High School- 130,554 lbs.
· Clarence Ruth Elementary School- 26,024 lbs.
· Miguelito Elementary School- 15,855 lbs.

"The responsibility does not fall on any one entity or individual," says Cárdenas. "Rather, it is up to everyone in our communities to take steps that reduce the possibility of accidents. This includes farmers, schools, elected officials and even parents."

The report suggests that schools develop emergency plans for pesticide related accidents and appoint a liaison to establish relationships with neighboring farmers. Farmers are encouraged to adopt practices that reduce the chance of pesticide drift, including timing applications for when school is not is session, using methods that are less prone to drift, and adopting less toxic pest control practices. Elected officials are discouraged from adding new schools near active agricultural land, instead focusing on redeveloping existing sites or underutilized areas within existing urban boundaries.

Mr. David Francis, Superintendent of the Santa Maria-Bonita School District, agrees that issues of community concern, such as pesticide use near schools, be properly addressed. "It is important that all sectors of our community work together to protect our collective self interests," said Mr. Francis. "Everyone is affected, and everyone plays an important role."

Over the next few months, CCEHP will meet with local school boards, farmers and city/county officials to discuss the recommendations and the possibility for collaborative working relationships to implement suggestions wherever possible. This outreach, along with other CCEHP efforts, seeks to not only protect residents from dangers associated with pesticide use, but to reduce overall pesticide use from within our communities.

Currently, CCEHP is working with the City of Santa Barbara in implementing a newly approved Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program to drastically reduce pesticide use in community parks and public spaces. Additionally, CCEHP is working with farmers along the Central Coast to address polluted discharges from agricultural lands.

"Working with such diverse stakeholders provides its challenges," said Cárdenas. "But every now and then, we get results where everyone wins."

The Central Coast Environmental Health Project (CCEHP) is a project of the Environmental Defense Center (EDC) that seeks to raise awareness about the health risks posed by pesticide exposure while decreasing our reliance on pesticides through education and advocacy. The EDC is a non-profit public interest law firm working to protect the health, environment and quality of life for Central Coast residents.

To find out more, please call Eric Cárdenas at (805) 963-1622 ext. 102.

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