Conventional Strawberries About to Get More Toxic

California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) recently approved the carcinogenic new pesticide, methyl iodide, for use in the state’s strawberry fields - despite opposition by DPR's own panel of independent scientists.

The science against methyl iodide is compelling:

• Methyl iodide is a known carcinogen, thyroid toxicant, causes spontaneous, late-term miscarriages and presents risks for developing brains.
  
• After conducting a thorough review, DPR’s own panel of independent scientists declared, "methyl iodide is a highly toxic chemical and we expect that any anticipated … use of this agent would result in exposures to a large number of the public.” They further concluded that methyl iodide would be “difficult if not impossible to control.” DPR registered it anyway.
  
• Over 50 esteemed scientists, 6 of them Nobel Laureates, went on record opposing the chemical’s federal registration, saying they were “astonished” that officials would “legalize broadcast releases of one of the more toxic chemicals used in manufacturing into the environment.”

(Source: Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA))

To me, this is pretty crazy ... as well as reminiscent of the approval of PPO for use on almonds. Except the science against methyl iodide is even more alarming than PPO. (Not that I'll eat a PPO

TAKE ACTION!

1. Write to your representatives and let them know you oppose the approval of methyl iodide for use as a pesticide.
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

2. Write to California Governor-elect Jerry Brown. Brown has a pretty good record on environmental issues so there is still hope that he will override DPR's decision.
http://action.panna.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5123

3. Write a letter to the Editor of your local newspaper to spread the word. Pesticide Action Network  provides talking points and a zip code look-up of local papers:
http://action.panna.org/letter/?letter_KEY=1354

4. Tell California Strawberry growers that you will NOT buy their product. Then follow through. Strawberries were already one of the most pesticide-bathed fruits on the market. Organic strawberries will not be treated with this pesticide, of course. Most strawberries come from CA or abroad but there are local options in many states from Oregon to Pennsylvania.