Santa Maria Sun / News

Report: Pesticide drift recorded in Sisquoc exceeds regulatory standards

BY JEREMY THOMAS

On June 22, Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) released results of an air-monitoring study performed by Sisquoc residents documenting high levels of pesticide drift during and after fumigation of strawberry crops.

The report, titled Poison Gases in the Field, presented the findings of a study conducted in April 2008. Over 19 days, two Sisquoc households measured levels of chloropicrin, a fumigant commonly mixed with methyl bromide. The residents recorded samples with a vacuum-like air-monitoring device called a Drift Catcher.

According to the report, researchers found levels of chloropicrin in more than half of the 57 air samples collected. PANNA scientists concluded the measurements posed a cancer risk to nearby residents of 46 to 77 times higher than the acceptable risk of one in one million.

Additionally, the report states, two samples had chloropicrin levels higher than the Department of Pesticide Regulation’s 24-hour level of concern for children. A 19-day average level at one of the sites also exceeded DPR’s level of concern for multi-day exposure, the report states.

Lea Brooks, spokeswoman for the Department of Pesticide Regulation, said DPR staff is currently reviewing the study’s findings and has questions about the researchers’ methodology.

“When [DPR] and Air Resources Board conduct monitoring, we follow U.S. EPA protocols,” she said. “Although we’re not familiar with this particular study, previous Drift Catcher studies have not used those protocols.”

 The findings raised health concerns among residents. Deby DeWeese, who collected air samples and lives 30 feet
from fumigated fields, called the results “very scary.”

“We weren’t surprised because we see how close fumigants are applied to our homes,” DeWeese said. “I think it’s really naïve to believe everything that DPR and [the County Ag Commission] have been saying about how there’s rules and restrictions and things being done to protect our families.”

Susan Bryant, deputy for Pesticide Use Enforcement with the Santa Barbara County Ag Commissioner’s Office, said she didn’t know enough about the report to comment.

“We, the growers, and the pest control business all care about any kind of offgassing or any use of fumigants in [Sisquoc],” she said. “I do believe the regulations we have in place do a really good job of that.”

 According to Bryant, chloropicrin is typically used in conjunction with methyl bromide as a “warning agent” for offgassing, causing watery eyes when it comes in contact with humans. The chemical isn’t listed as a carcinogen in California, but is categorized as a toxic air contaminant.