Pesticide Use Near Schools

Transcription

1 Pesticide Use Near Schools and other Sensitive Sites Janice Campbell Deputy Ag. Commissioner San Luis Obispo County Agricultural Commissioner s Office SUSTAINABLE AG EXPO November 17, 2015

2 Topics Regulating Pesticide Use Concerns about Use Near School San Luis Obispo County School Goal Rule Making Process

3 Pesticide Registration Process EPA and Department of Pesticide Regulations (DPR) evaluate and license (register) all pesticide products prior to sale and use Data evaluated for registration Toxicity Human Exposure Risks Environmental Effects

4 Regulating Pesticide Use EPA and DPR approve product labeling that describes legal requirements, such as Crops/sites that can be treated Safety requirements DPR regulations (more restrictive than labeling) Specific use requirements for some pesticides Some pesticides are restricted materials County Agricultural Commissioner enforces labeling, regulations, and permits for restricted materials

5 Regulating Pesticide Use On school properties Healthy Schools Act California pesticide laws and regulations Adjacent to school properties Pest control businesses Agricultural use

6 General Use Pesticides Applicators are responsible for legal application Recommendations for use near schools Establish relationship with school Create a buffer zone Air flow away Timing Notification Avoid odor

7 Restrictions Near Schools Restricted Use Pesticides No aerial applications within ½ mile (2640 ) No ground spray applications within 500 Field fumigant prohibited within 1/8 mile (660 ), if buffer zone is 300 or less within1/4 mile (1320 ), if buffer zone is greater than 300 during the buffer zone duration (48 hours) Additional requirements on a site basis

8 Restrictions Near Schools School in session Hosting public events No applications when students are present Weekend, nighttime or summer applications? Depends on specific pesticide and timing

9 Sensitive Site Toxicity of the pesticide Method of application Where is it being applied History of complaints or problems

10 Field Fumigant Requirements Buffer zones Protection of bystanders Occupied structures Emergency preparedness Neighbor notification Site monitoring Trained certified applicators Difficult to evacuate sites Fumigation Management Plans

11 Where is the proposed site? What surrounds the site? Sensitive site? X X Commercial greenhouses X X X X Public Rd X X X Treatment site (14 acres) X X X X X X X X X X X X Va ca ted Houses Commercial greenhouses N

12 Bus Stop Locations

13 Sensitive Site Schools and day cares Homes and businesses Farmworkers Endangered species Ground water and waterways Wellheads Sensitive crops

14 Concern About Pesticide Use Near Schools Children are a vulnerable population Perception of risk Requests for more transparency Requests for greater restrictions

15

16

17

18

19 San Luis Obispo County Pesticide Program Goal Ground truth assumptions Focused surveillance Screen Notices of Intents Sites within ¼ mile of schools and daycares Target inspections

20

21 Schools within ¼ mile of production agriculture

22

23 Monitor Compliance Inspect Investigate What are applicators doing? Are applicators following the label and other use restrictions? Are they protecting workers, the public and the environment?

24 San Luis Obispo County School Goal Results July 2014 June restricted material applications within ¼ mile 8 school/daycare campuses 13 pre-application & 5 application inspections No violations observed All applications took place at night or when schools were not in session

25 San Luis Obispo County School Goal Results San Luis Obispo County s Ag/School interface is less than other areas of the state Growers voluntary measures Less toxic pesticides Timing application Notification

26 Investigate Complaints and Illnesses All pesticide complaints/illnesses/incidents are investigated Average fifty complaints investigated per year No reports of pesticide illness in the school setting for the past 10 years One case inappropriately placed bait stations

27 What Can Growers Do? Take extra precautions near schools Establish relationship with school Create buffer zone Air flow away Timing Notification Avoid odor Be informed Get involved in the rule making process

28 Pesticide Use Near Schools Statewide Issue DPR plans to propose new regulations to strengthen protections near schools DPR website Regulations Under Development

29

30

31

32 For more information Call the County Agricultural Commissioner s Office nearest you San Luis Obispo County (805) Santa Barbara County (805) Monterey County (831) Ventura County (805) Visit DPR s website -

33