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Poisonous Clouds

Pesticide Drift Exposure

Each year, hundreds of Californians are exposed to poisonous pesticides that drift outside of the intended application area. These drift incidents often result in both short- and long-term illnesses and, in some cases, death.

Many victims of pesticide exposure suffer with ailments ranging from rashes to serious respiratory problems, and hundreds of thousands of people live in areas of the state where pesticide exposure is a real threat.

The Pesticide Drift Exposure Response Act, SB 391 (Florez), ensures that people who are exposed to pesticide drift receive immediate and proper treatment. SB 391 also stipulates that people will be reimbursed for medical bills incurred from the exposure.

SB 391 would:

• Make any person whose violation of the laws related to pesticide application that results in illness or injury, responsible for the medical costs and care from acute injuries of the exposed individual.
• Require any person who violates the law to submit a written plan for how they will reimburse individuals to the director of the Department of Pesticide Regulation within 30 days.
• Require the California Environmental Protection Agency to establish minimum standard protocols for pesticide application and to incorporate a pesticide drift component in their area plans.

SB 391 has made it through the legislature with bipartisan support and is now on Governor Schwarzenegger’s desk. Facing strong opposition by agribusiness, this important bill depends on citizen lobbying from people who care about human health for its passage. It’s a tragedy when people get sick from exposure to dangerous pesticides and it can be made worse when they are faced with huge medical bills. Please join us in support of SB 391. Let’s put the cost of medical bills related to improper pesticide application where they belong, with the companies violating the law.

What You Can Do

Victory! SB 391 passed the legislature and was signed into law.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: 916-445-4633
Email the Governor using his web form at http://www.govmail.ca.gov/.