Tell Governor Schwarzenegger NO on Smog-Forming Pesticides Attached to the Budget

Background: In the mid 1990’s, California regulators promised to adopt regulations that would reduce volatile organic compounds (VOC) from pesticides by 20% below 1990 levels in five air basins by 2005. Republicans are demanding a roll-back in these standards by trying to amend the California state budget legislation. Instead of 20% reductions the budget trailer would lower reductions to only 10% in Ventura and 12% for all other air basins (this will  impact the San Joaquin Valley  and Southeast Desert Air basins).

Pesticides are one of the largest contributors to smog in the San Joaquin Valley and Ventura County, and a major contributor in the Southeast Desert, which includes the Coachella Valley.

Pesticides are highly toxic, causing many mass farm worker and community poisonings, and volatile organic compounds (VOC) from pesticides contribute to smog and fine particulate matter formation. The only guaranteed way to reduce smog, particulate matter and toxic emissions from pesticides is to reduce pesticide use.

Ozone pollution–commonly called smog–is a summer time pollutant that damages lung tissue, exacerbates asthma, reduces lung capacity, increases respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions, and increases school and work absenteeism.  Fine particulate matter is a wintertime pollutant that exacerbates asthma and causes death in people with heart or lung disease. 

We must voice strong opposition to this trailer and demand that the state legislature  protect people’s health. Californians deserve to breathe clean air.