Project Will Study Combined Effects of Pesticides on Children’s Health
Community leaders and scientists from the Department of Pesticide Regulation on Saturday announced a year-long project to examine whether 40 pesticides and other airborne pollutants in Parlier -- a community in the Central Valley -- are present at levels damaging to children's health, the Los Angeles Times reports.
In 2003, commercial growers applied 249 chemicals totaling 2.4 million pounds to crops within a five-mile radius of Parlier. Scientists also selected the city for the study based on the number of illnesses reported as a result of pesticide drift, according to DPR spokesperson Veda Federighi.
In addition, pediatric asthma rates have increased by 75% among Parlier children in the last decade, according to the Parlier Health Education and Access to Life Project. Almost 40% of the town's residents are younger than age 18.
Testing has already begun on the rooftops of schools, and some wells will be tested. The project also includes research and education on less toxic alternatives to pesticides.
Regulators will decide whether action is needed after a final report is released, likely in 2007 (Romney, Los Angeles Times, 1/28).