Urgent Action Alerts

Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life of Southern Californias' urgent action alert for 09-28-05:

Tell Governor Schwarzenegger to Protect Californians from Pesticide Exposure

Due in part to Coalition for Clean Air and CoejlSC supporters responding to a recent action alert, California’s legislators voted in favor of a bill to better enforce pesticide laws. Now the Governor must decide whether or not to approve this bill. Let him know you want him to protect Californians from pesticide exposure by signing this bill.

It is already illegal in our state to put people’s health at risk by recklessly using pesticides. The problem is that current laws are not being enforced and investigations into violations are slow, potentially allowing for more injuries before investigations are completed. SB 455, the Pesticide Safety Enforcement Act, authored by Senator Escutia aims to improve enforcement of the state’s pesticide laws. It would require standardized enforcement, calling on county agricultural commissioners to levy fines for pesticide-use violations and requiring investigations to be completed in a timely manner.

In the year 2002, some 172 million pounds of pesticides – many highly toxic to humans – were used in the state. More than 90% of them are prone to drifting away from where they are applied and can become airborne toxins causing coughing, vomiting, and more severe effects, especially in children. Long-term exposure to pesticides is linked with cancer, birth defects, spontaneous abortions, infertility, neurological illnesses and asthma.

Please tell Governor Schwarzenegger that laws designed to protect Californians must be enforced. Tell the Governor to sign SB 455, the Pesticide Safety Enforcement Act, into law to hold those who violate pesticide laws accountable.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 445-2841
Fax: (916) 445-4633
governor@governor.ca.gov