The California Department of Pesticide Regulation is close to approving the use of methyl iodide in strawberry production.
The toxic chemical is a soil fumigant, which means it would be injected into the soil. According to Food & Water Watch, methyl iodide is linked to “cancer, miscarriages, and brain damage to fetuses and children.” With California leading the nation in strawberry production, this decision has implications for anyone hitting a grocery store for strawberries in the U.S.
Not only is California looking to allow this chemical, they’re setting the acceptable exposure levels 120 times higher than recommended levels. If approved, this threatens the health of workers and consumers alike.
Get Heard
Want to take action to stop the use of this harmful chemical in our food supply? Food & Water Watch has a petition against the use of methyl iodide on our strawberries.
Sources:
Food & Water Watch
Huffington Post
Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by drumsnwhistles
Ceejay
I hear that they are using this stuff in 47 other states, so they must be using it on something else besides strawberries. What's up with that?
Becky Striepe
Oh wow! Do you remember where you read/saw that? I’d love to look into it more.
Ceejay
It’s on the DPR website, plus a number of press postings: http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/pressrls/2010/100430….
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