2015 Air Monitoring Shows Pesticides Below Health Screening Levels
916-445-3974 | Charlotte.Fadipe@cdpr.ca.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(SACRAMENTO) – The latest air monitoring results released from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) show that all of the monitored pesticides, in various rural agricultural communities, were found below levels that indicate a health concern or need for further evaluation.
"DPR's commitment to enforcing a strong, effective pesticide regulatory program includes a robust air monitoring program." said Brian Leahy, Director of DPR. "It helps to ensure that as farmers use pesticides to grow our nation's food, Californians are protected."
The 2015 draft air monitoring report shows that of the 32 pesticides and five breakdown products that were monitored, 11 could not be detected at all.
The report shows the pesticide 1,3-Dichloropropene (1,3-D) was below the updated regulatory target and screening levels. These levels were guided by DPR's 2015 comprehensive scientific study of this chemical, PDF (3 mb). Last month DPR announced an update to the way 1,3-D will be managed and used in the future.
California is the only state that monitors air as part of its continuous reevaluation of pesticides to ensure the protection of workers, public health and the environment. DPR monitors and analyzes 32 pesticides and five breakdown products in three communities: Salinas (Monterey County), Shafter (Kern County) and Ripon (San Joaquin County).
Additionally, the Air Resources Board, at DPR's request, monitors for three fumigant pesticides in three other communities: Ventura, Santa Maria (Santa Barbara County) and Watsonville (Santa Cruz County).
The air monitoring network, the first of its kind in the nation, was established to expand DPR's knowledge of the potential health risks of long-term exposure to pesticides.
In 2017, DPR will update the network by adding additional sites to monitor pesticides. The exact locations of the sites are not finalized, but they will be in communities where there is a high use of fumigants and/or organophosphates.
- List of Monitored Pesticides
- 2015 Air Monitoring Report
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