Poison Strawberry Memos: Pesticide Approval Process Ignored Science
How did the state that grows most of our strawberries approve a dangerous pesticide? By siding with pesticide makers over scientists, a lawsuit alleges.
By Leah Zerbe
RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—A California court-ordered release of state documents shows that top state officials ignored their own scientists and instead relied on a pesticide maker's data during the approval of a toxic chemical for use in strawberry fields, according to Earthjustice and Pesticide Action Network, organizations that are challenging the pesticide approval legally.  |
| Buy organic strawberries if you don't want anything to do with methyl iodide |
The chemical in question, methyl iodide, a DNA-damaging, known to be cancer-causing pesticide used to fumigate strawberry fields, doesn't necessarily wind up in strawberries at the store, but puts farm workers and families living near strawberry fields at an increased risk of cancer and miscarriage.
"These smoking-gun memos show that state officials cherry-picked calculations to support their preferred outcome of approving methyl iodide instead of letting science guide their decision-making," says Susan Kegley, PhD, consulting scientist with Pesticide Action Network North America. "Ignoring the science and prioritizing the needs of the manufacturer has put the health and safety of Californians at great risk."
A team of independent scientists put together by the state to assess the chemical prior to its approval concluded that farm use of the chemical would likely expose farmworkers and people living in the area to concentrations of methyl iodide that far exceed levels of concern, unless the buffer zone confined use to several hundred feet to several miles away from rural communities.
Newly released state memos show that the California Department of Pesticide Regulation resisted the recommendation, saying the buffer zones would be "excessive and difficult to enforce." Not only that, but they feared the chemical manufacturer might find such a buffer zone "unacceptable due to its economic viability."
Although methyl iodide is approved for use with other nonorganic crops in other states, the California approval for strawberries is significant because the state produces more than 90 percent of the nation's strawberries. "I'm mad that the department that is supposed to protect us from pesticides was hijacked by a pesticide company,"
Here's how to reject poison strawberries:
• Opt for local organic, then preserve! The gold-standard recommendation is to purchase organically grown strawberries from local farmers while in season, and to buy in bulk, and preserve the excess organic strawberries to enjoy throughout the rest of the year. Since some states allow methyl iodide for use in other crops, such as peppers, it's best to grow your own organically, buy organic, or have an honest discussion with your farmer about his or her growing methods, since not all small farmers go through the organic certification process.
• Eat organic anytime. If you're hankering for strawberries, even if they're not in season, be sure to opt for organic strawberries at the supermarket. Doing so means your berries won't be laced with pesticides and you can enjoy them knowing that farmworkers and families living near strawberry fields are protected from toxic compounds.
• Grow your own organic strawberries. Planning your 2012 organic garden? You might want to work strawberries into the design. Turn to OrganicGardening.com for all of your organic strawberry growing tips.
http://www.rodale.com/poison-strawberries
