The California Department of Pesticide Regulation reports that the state used less fumigants and carcinogenic pesticides in 2013 than the previous year, according to data in the Annual Summary of Pesticide Use.
DPR Director Brian Leahy says “Information is a key ingredient in a vigorous regulatory program to protect human health and the environment.
The data shows California is reducing the use of some of the most toxic pesticides, but continuing to control pests that, if unchecked, would cause disease, threaten public health and affect our food supply.”
”I believe the Pesticide Use Report is the best of its kind in the world and is produced for regulators and researchers to help them understand how pesticide use impacts human health and the environment.”
The reports shows the following reductions, compared to the previous year:
- Use of pesticides that could contaminate ground water decreased by246,000 pounds (23 percent).
- Use of pesticides with the potential to pollute the air decreased by 2.4 million pounds (4.9 per cent).
- Use of fumigant pesticides decreased by 2.2 million pounds (4.9 per cent).
- Use of carcinogenic pesticides decreased by 1.7 million pounds ( 5.1 per cent)
California produces nearly half of American grown fruits, nuts and vegetables, and depending upon pest problems, weather, acreage and other factors, the amount of pesticides use varies from year to year.
Despite a reduction in the pesticide categories listed above, the total amount of pesticides used in agriculture increased by 6.4 million pounds to a total of 178 million pounds (3.7 per cent).
