A new California bill mandates farms near schools to notify officials before pesticide spraying to protect children from harmful exposure.
Anabel Sosa reports for Los Angeles Times.
In short:
- Assembly Bill 1864 aims to reduce pesticide exposure in children, especially in rural school districts.
- The bill requires farmers to seek authorization for pesticide use within a quarter-mile of schools.
- Opponents argue that enforcement responsibilities would burden county agricultural commissioners.
Key quote:
"Strengthening the enforcement of pesticide regulations in school zones is critical to student health, particularly in our rural school districts.”
— Damon Connolly, California Assembly-member
Why this matters:
Children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of pesticides, which can lead to serious health issues. Many schools in agricultural regions serve low-income communities, where students might already be facing a range of environmental health risks. Providing these schools with information about pesticide applications helps level the playing field, offering an added layer of protection for vulnerable populations.
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