Work Group on Pesticides and Health

Due to Oregon Toxics Alliance's hard work on SB 20, Senator Brad Avakian formed the Work Group on Pesticides and Children's Health.  One of the Work Group’s main goals is to prepare a report for the 2008 Oregon Legislature with the intent to create legislation to protect children from pesticides.  Members of the group include a broad array of interests including environmental and health advocates, agricultural and chemical interests, educators, medical professionals, and chemists and researchers. 

The Work Group was formed under the auspices of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee, which is chaired by Senator Avakian (D – NE Washington and NW Multnomah). Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D – Washington County) accepted the invitation to chair the Work Group.

Oregon Toxics Alliance and its members are well represented on the Work Group with three members from our staff and board of directors - Lisa Arkin, John Sundquist, and Dona Hippert.

The Group was appointed with the following goals:

1. Prepare a brief report to the Oregon Legislature on what we know about pesticide drift and health in the state of Oregon for the February 2008 session.
2. Based upon the group’s progress between October and February, include in that report a recommendation to continue the Working Group as a Task Force with the goal of developing legislation on pesticide use reform for consideration before the 2009 Legislature.
3. Prepare an overview about what models to reduce exposure to pesticide drift has been implemented in other states.
4. Invite public testimony from professionals in chemistry, public health, medical practices, education, environmental health and protection, sustainable forestry, sustainable agriculture, conventional forestry, conventional agriculture, water quality, water districts and vegetation management from experts within Oregon and possibly Washington and California.