CONTACT:
Representative Suzanne Bonamici, (503)-986-1434
Lisa Arkin, Oregon Toxics Alliance (541)-465-8860
FOR RELEASE:
Wednesday, October 16, 2007
Senate Forms Work Group on Pesticides and Health
Legislators want to look at how pesticide exposure may increase risk of disease
Salem - Senator Brad Avakian (D - NE Washington and NW Multnomah Counties), chair of the Oregon Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee, announced in a hearing at the State Capitol that he is convening a Senate working group on pesticides and health. Representative Suzanne Bonamici has been chosen to chair the working group.
The proposal to form a working group followed a public hearing last April on a bill to protect school children from chemical drift from large-scale aerial pesticide applications on forest and farm land.
Testimony from doctors, chemists, rural residents and educators expressed support for rules that would use buffer zones to shield school grounds from vapors and residue from pesticide drift. They based their testimony on new evidence that, even at low exposure levels, pesticides can cause adverse health effects such as cancer and neurological damage. Children are at a higher risk for harm because their physical immaturity makes them uniquely sensitive to environmental toxins. Farmers, on the other hand, gave testimony that their farming practices would be harmed if they had to comply with buffer zone requirements.
During today’s hearing Senator Avakian said that the issue was in need of more discussion. “If the working group is able to put together a piece of legislation, we’ll be happy to consider what they put forward,” Avakian said.
Senator Alan Bates (D-Ashland) stated his support for the working group, stressing that recent medical research indicates there is strong evidence of human health impacts from pesticide exposure. Bates cited a recent study showing that “women who were exposed to pesticides in the 1960’s when they were young have a higher incidence of breast cancer.”
An initial list of members who will be asked to serve on the working group was announced by Avakian. The list embraces a broad array of representative groups including environmental health advocates, agricultural and chemical interests, medical professionals, chemists and researchers.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to learn what is happening in Oregon and other states regarding exposures to pesticides, and to identify ways to encourage alternatives to these high-risk chemicals,” said Lisa Arkin, Executive Director of Oregon Toxics Alliance and one of the appointed members.