Protect Our Keiki from Pesticide Drift
In 2018 Hawaiʻi made great strides in protecting our communities from pesticide drift by passing the first in the nation ban of the neurotoxic pesticide, chlorpyrifos. In addition to banning this pesticide known to cause permanent neurological damage in children, Act 45 provided disclosure of restricted use pesticide (RUP) usage for the first time in Hawaiʻi as well as 100’ RUP buffer zones around schools during school hours.
2019 marked the first year RUP reporting data became publicly available. Analysis of this data has revealed that many communities are still heavily exposed to drift prone pesticides. 100’ buffer zones are simply not supported by scientific research. Research has shown that certain pesticides are known to drift over a mile and cause health impacts. Keiki are particularly vulnerable to pesticide exposure and we must prioritize their health.
Additionally, the way the pesticide data is currently reported does not provide enough information to assess risk.
Learn more about HAPA’s research into RUP usage in Hawaii.
The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment will be hearing two important bills that provide important public health protections from pesticide drift and better transparency on Wednesday, January 29th at 1pm in Conference Room 224 (and virtually). Please take a moment to provide testimony in support of these important protections. All written testimony is due by Tuesday at 1pm.
If you have not done so already you will need to create an account with the Hawaii State Legislature website to submit testimony.
Support SB 351: Improved Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) Reporting
What Does This Bill Do?
Requires quarterly rather than annual reporting of all use of restricted use pesticides. Amends the contents of reports to include specific geospatial data and information and increased detail on the amount of restricted use pesticides used. Requires the Department of Agriculture to develop an online reporting tool for restricted use pesticides.
Why Is This Important? Sample Testimony:
Aloha Chair Gabbard, Vice Chair Richards and Members of the Committee,
Please pass SB351. While Act 45, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, made steps to provide mandatory disclosure of Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) use in Hawaiʻi, it has been difficult to access this information in a way that makes sense and is useful for the public and concerned citizens.
Act 45 established requirements intended to address pesticide abuse in Hawaii, including requiring all users of restricted use pesticides to annually report on their use of restricted use pesticides to the department of agriculture. However, robust and meaningful analysis of environmental and public health impacts of pesticides is contingent on more comprehensive reporting.
RUP data needs to include actual geospatial data that helps to better understand the actual location the pesticide was applied to.
California appears to lead the nation in studies of chronic health effects and/or associations with pesticide use. They are able to reach this level of scientific inquiry because they require careful reporting of pesticide applications that specify what was sprayed, where, when, and in what quantities. Improved reporting in Hawaii can provide policymakers and public health experts with important data with which to make evidence based decisions about pesticide use.
Please support SB351. Mahalo for your consideration!
Support SB 352: Increased RUP Buffer Zone’s + RUP Reporting
What Does This Bill Do?
Requires the Department of Agriculture to use consistent units of measurement in its summary to the public on the amounts of restricted use pesticides used. Establishes a one-half mile buffer zone for pesticides around schools and state and county public parks.
Why Is This Important? Sample Testimony:
Aloha Chair Gabbard, Vice Chair Richards and Members of the Committee,
Please support SB352. An abundance of scientific literature on pesticide drift and the unique susceptibility of children to pesticide exposure provide a sound argument for establishing meaningful buffer zones to ensure even protections for communities, children, elderly and sensitive areas.
Analysis of restricted use pesticide (RUP) usage data in Hawaii has revealed that many communities are still heavily exposed to drift prone pesticides. 100’ buffer zones are simply not supported by scientific research. Research has shown that certain pesticides are known to drift over a mile and cause health impacts. Keiki are particularly vulnerable to pesticide exposure and we must prioritize their health.
California has enacted similar legislation requiring pesticide buffer zones around schools, the farmworkers and communities living near agricultural areas. The measure had originally advocated for 1 mile buffer zones due to the abundance of research documenting pesticide drift and related health impacts up to a mile or further from the fields where they were applied.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) finds there to be a significantly increased health risk for children exposed to pesticides, and additional precautions must be taken to protect them from unintended exposure.
I am very concerned about long-term pesticide exposure of keiki while they are at school or at play in our parks, which constitutes a health threat that can lead to cancer, neurological, and respiratory damage, among other medical conditions.
Please protect our keiki and pass SB352.
Mahalo for your consideration!
Your Name, Town
Learn more about HAPA’s research into RUP usage in Hawaii.
Mahalo for taking action!
