The link between childhood cancer, leukemia and pesticide exposure is now strong enough to have recently funded government grants for research focused on pesticide risk to kids, but research by itself is not enough and cannot happen fast enough to make a significant difference to children’s health. “These are very hazardous materials” says Joan Clayburgh of Californians for Pesticide Reform, “Let’s just not use these in a way where we’re exposing people to them.”
Meanwhile, 212 million pounds of pesticides will be released in California this year—and this is only one of the voices in reaction to current agricultural practices where pesticides are used. The problem is nationwide.
(Excerpted from an article on Pesticide Drift Pacific Sun Jan. /Feb. 1999).
Vol 18 Issue 2 page 3
