Pesticide Research: HUmans & the Environment

Pesticides are known to negatively impact the quality of the air, water, human health and the lives of farmworkers and their families. While there is extensive research on the effects of pesticides, the use of chemical pesticides is still widespread and highly pervasive in Californian agriculture. Explore the various resources available here and read more about the effects of pesticides on humans and the environment.

Agricultural Pesticide Use Near Public Schools in California, APRIL 2014 

The 2014 Department of Public Health study found that of the top 10 pesticides applied near schools:
  • 6 are toxic air contaminants (TACs)
  • 4 are carcinogens
  • 3 are reproductive/developmental toxins
  • 2 are neurotoxins
    ​
​This began our campaign for one-mile buffer zones around schools and one-week’s notification for pesticide applications near schools.
More findings:
  • 8 of the 10 pesticides most heavily used within ¼ mile of CA schools persist in the environment for a week or longer.
  • Monterey County has the highest percentage (25%) of students in the state that attend school within ¼ mile of the heaviest pesticide use.
  • Latinx students are 3.2 times more likely to attend these schools.​
    ​
​Read the full study here: Agricultural Pesticide Use Near Public Schools

Relevant Studies

Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas (CHAMACOS)   UCLA Sustainable Technology & Policy Program UC Davis Mind study 2014 Department of Public Health Study of Pesticide USe Near Schools Pesticide Action Network Studies  DPR Air Monitoring Network Studies

Peer-Reviewed Pesticide Drift studies: ThE Various Impacts of Pesticide Usage in CA

Acute Pesticide Illnesses Associated with Off-Target Pesticide Drift from Agricultural Applications: 11 States, 1998–2006
  • ​First comprehensive report of drift-related pesticide poisoning in the United States. From Lee, S-J, et al. “Acute Pesticide Illness Associated with Off-Target Pesticide Drift from Agricultural Applications: 11 States, 1998-2006” Environmental Health Perspectives, 119(8) 1162-1169. 2011.

Pesticides in dust from homes in an agricultural area
  • The UC Berkeley CHAMACOS study has documented chlorpyrifos contamination in homes up to 1.8 miles from treated fields (Harnly, ME, et. al. “Pesticides in dust from homes in an agricultural area” Environmental Science and Technology, 43:8767-8774. 2009). 

Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Prenatal Residential Proximity to Agricultural Pesticides: The CHARGE Study
  • The UC Davis MIND Institute study documented significantly increased rates of autism in children of mothers who lived up to one mile from treated fields (Shelton, Janie F., et al. “Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Prenatal Residential Proximity to Agricultural Pesticides: The CHARGE Study.” Environmental Health Perspectives, June 23, 2014. doi:10.1289/ehp.1307044).

Determinants of Agricultural Pesticide Concentrations in Carpet Dust
  • California Childhood Leukemia study found elevated concentrations of several pesticides in dust of homes up to three quarters of a mile from treated fields (Gunier, RB, et. al. “Determinants of agricultural pesticide concentrations in carpet dust.” Environmental Health Perspectives, 119:970-976, 2011).

Community air monitoring for pesticides. Part 3: using health-based screening levels to evaluate results collected for a year
  • Parlier Study: Intensive monitoring of ambient air concentrations for 40 active ingredients or degradation products of pesticides in a California Central Valley city. 23 pesticides or degradation products were detected. Air concentrations of the metam fumigant breakdown product MITC did not correlate with fumigant applications within 8 km (~5 miles) of the community, indicating that applications over 5 miles from the monitoring sites contributed to air levels measured. (“Community air monitoring for pesticides. Part 3: using health-based screening levels to evaluate results collected for a year,” Environ Monit Assess (2014) 186:1355–1370 DOI 10.1007/s10661-013-3394-x)

Correlating Agricultural Use of Organophosphates with Outdoor Air Concentrations: A Particular Concern for Children
  • A California Health Department and UC Berkeley study found a significant association between air concentrations of the pesticides chlorpyrifos and diazinon and use of the pesticides within 3 miles of the air monitoring sites (Harnly, ME, et. al. “Correlating Agricultural Use of Organophosphates with Outdoor Air Concentrations: A Particular Concern for Children” Environmental Health Perspectives, 113(9):1184-1189. 2005). ​

Pesticide Research and Policy Formation: Chlorpyrifos and buffer zone failures

When enough data are not enough to enact policy: The failure to ban chlorpyrifos by Leonardo Trasande

     Organophosphate exposure and particularly chlorpyrifos are known to cause adverse effects on human health, especially on fetal brains during pregnancy. Furthermore, studies have shown that even low levels of exposure to chlorpyrifos both inhibits acetylcholinesterase (enzyme for neurotransmitters) and thyroid hormones that are critical to brain development, Prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos, and the resultant thyroidal disruption, can culminate in IQ reductions, autism, tremors, and attention hyperactivity disorder. The health risks of chlorpyrifos are well known and led to a ban on household use in 2000. Epidemiological and toxicological evidence for this class of chemicals on cognitive deficits and intellectual disability have clear causal relationships, with the probability ranking between 70-100 percent.
    While the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) proposed to ban chlorpyrifos in 2015, USEPA Administrator Scott Pruitt denied a petition to “revoke all food residue tolerances for chlorpyrifos,” under the argument that it is agriculturally necessary to ensure abundant and affordable food. With good management practices, specific crop types, and growing conditions, organic agriculture can produce equivalent yields to conventional agriculture. As a result of Pruitt’s decision, “the cohort of US children born in 2010 lost 1.8 million IQ points and 7,500 children had their IDs shifted into the intellectual disability range as a result of prenatal organophosphate exposures." Moreover, the economy also suffers from Administrator Pruitt’s decision. There will be an average 2% reduction in lifetime economic productivity with each IQ point lost, which ultimately results in $20,000 lost per IQ point, totaling to a sum of $44.7 billion annually. These numbers only apply to chlorpyrifos and fail to account for similar organophosphates  currently used in agriculture. Scientists have a responsibility to express concern when policymakers reject scientific data, although many will face harsh criticism for doing so. In the case of organophosphates, ample data exists to enforce a ban on chlorpyrifos, yet, chlorpyrifos is frequently used on agricultural crops in California. To explore the full article, just click the following: When Enough Data Are Not Enough to Enact Policy: The Failure to Ban Chlorpyrifos
Will buffer zones around schools in agricultural areas be adequate to protect children from the potential adverse effects of pesticide exposure? by Robert B. Gunier, Asa Bradman, Kim G. Harley, Brenda Eskenazi

    The California Department of Pesticide Regulation proposed limiting the application of agricultural pesticides near schools and childcare centers. The rule, which is intended to limit harm to children from pesticide drift, would prohibit applications with aircrafts, air blast prayers, chemigation, dust/powder, and fumigants within 0.25 miles of schools or daycares on Monday through Friday from 6:00am to 6:00pm, with other applications requiring a minimum 25 ft distance of school sites during the same time periods.  Hispanic children are more likely to attend schools near the highest use of pesticides, which raises the issue of environmental justice in California. 
     The decision came from a study conducted through the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas (CHAMACOS) about the potential impact of pesticides on pregnant women and children living in the community of Salinas on the Central Coast of California. The CHAMACOS study revealed higher levels of biomarkers of pesticide exposure and poorer health and development. Findings included lower birth rate and IQ from the use of fumigant methyl bromide within 5 to 8 km of maternal residences during pregnancy, as well as decreases in FSIQ and reduced lung function from organophosphate and carbamate insecticide application within 1 km of maternal residences. The use of pesticides near maternal residences during pregnancy has also caused increased levels of autism, birth defects, and childhood cancer.
     While buffers can be a beneficial starting point, policies that establish protective measures and reduce exposure for women and children should also be deployed, including protective city planning/zoning, “good neighbor actions” by pesticide applicators,  the gradual conversion of conventional fields near schools to organic practices,  the use of integrated pest management and a general reduction of pesticide usage. Overall, pesticide control remains an elaborate issues that requires flexibility and diverse solutions. Access the article here: Will buffer zones around schools in agricultural areas be adequate to protect children from the potential adverse effects of pesticide exposure?