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DPR modifies regulations on pesticide use near schools. Comments due April 4th.
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The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) recently issued changes to proposed regulations, DPR 16-004 Pesticide Use Near Schoolsites, eliminating the requirement for 48-hour advance notification before harmful pesticides are used near schools and day care facilities. Written comments relevant to the modifications must be sent by 5:00 p.m. on April 4, 2017. Comments may be sent via:
Mail: Ms. Linda Irokawa-Otani, Regulations Coordinator
Department of Pesticide Regulation
1001 I Street, P.O. Box 4015, Sacramento, California 95812-4015
FAX: (916) 324-1491
DPR has cited CEHTP's 2014 report,
Agricultural Pesticide Use Near Public Schools in California, as one of the motivations for the proposed regulations. Among other results, the
report found that some compounds that persist in the environment for many days to several months are commonly used near schools. These chemicals can increase chronic disease risks, even at low doses, and are known carcinogens, reproductive and developmental toxicants, cholinesterase inhibitors, and toxic air contaminants.
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New research on childhood cancers due to the environment
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CEHTP and colleagues recently published research in the American Journal of Public Health estimating the proportion of childhood cancers related to preventable environmental hazards in California.
In addition, we found that in 2013 childhood lymphoma, leukemia, and brain and central nervous system cancers related to environmental hazards accounted for over $18 million in annual costs, and $31 million in lifetime costs in California. This research updated previous estimates on the costs of the environment on children's health.
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New community air monitoring project in
Eastern Coachella Valley
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CEHTP and our partners Comite Civico del Valle, La Union Hace la Fuerza, and University of Washington are starting a new community air monitoring project in Eastern Coachella Valley. Building upon our project in Imperial County, we will deploy about 5 particulate matter air monitors in Eastern Coachella and connect them to the existing community air monitoring network, IVAN Air. Once connected, users will be able to view real-time air quality data online as well as receive alerts for when air quality levels are high.
As part of this project, a community steering committee will select the locations for the air monitors and help conduct outreach to residents to increase awareness about air pollution and the IVAN Air program.
This project is part of a larger collaboration with Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) and Sonoma Tech, funded as a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) and administered by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. Under this funding, CCA and Sonoma Tech will also initiate a school-based training program to engage students in conducting personal air monitoring.
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Help inform California's Biomonitoring Program
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Biomonitoring California, which is represented on CEHTP's stakeholder advisory group, is conducting a survey to learn more about organizations working to address environmental issues in their communities, or those serving residents exposed to environmental hazards. They would like to identify potential partners and key concerns so they can better provide research and support, especially in communities facing environmental injustices.
Biomonitoring is the measurement of chemicals (or their metabolites) in a person's body fluids or tissues, such as blood or urine. It tells us the amount of the chemical that actually gets into people from all sources (for example, from air, soil, water, dust, and food) combined. Because of this, biomonitoring can provide useful information on how much exposure to toxic chemicals a person has had.
Please take a few minutes to complete this electronic survey so Biomonitoring California can learn more about your organization and keep you up to date about their work. Your input will also help guide the priorities of the program.
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Updated data on CEHTP website
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| The California Environmental Health Tracking Program (CEHTP) is a program of the Public Health Institute, in collaboration with the California Department of Public Health. CEHTP is part of a national initiative coordinated by the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Program. |
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This publication was supported by the Cooperative Agreement Number 5U38EH000953-06, funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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