User:Sl6268/Pesticide incidents in the San Joaquin Valley

Medical Journal Research

During the early 1960's and late 1970's, doctors and medical professionals from across the country conducted research in the Central Valley to better understand the effects of pesticides on the human body as well attempt to combat further incidents. A majority of this research was conducted on field workers who sought out medical attention for poisonings, since they had the most exposure to such pesticides than any other group of people.

Many doctors conducted their research on organophosphate pesticides, one of many forms of pesticide that specifically targets the Acetylcholinesterase enzyme. The intention of this research was to differentiate pesticide poisonings from other common diagnoses at the time, as well as futher understand how what specific chemicals were harming the human body. Some of the most common insecticides that were causing poisonings were found to be Parathion, Phosdrin, Thimet, and Systox. A large factor in this reason this research was conducted was due to the fact that it was difficult for doctors to diagnose a pesticide poisoning during this time. The symptoms of pesticide poisoning were to difficult to distinguish from other much more common diagnoses at the time. Due to the work and dedication of these doctors, pesticide incidents have been well documented and are distinguishable when diagnosed.

Scientific Findings and People's Responses to Pesticide Usage (Sean)

Civilians and government officials became more aware of the pesticide usage in the last century. Many studies were conducted in recent years to measure the levels and effects of pesticides in the Central Valley. Many of the findings stirred up community members in the Central Valley. Scientific data became useful for groups such as the UFW to push for stricter pesticide usage laws. Events such as the McFarland Cancer Cluster had a huge impact in that many people became more conscious of pesticides and its effect as a carcinogen. More recently, the state of California implemented policies to restrict certain types of pesticide that have been proven by researches to have many detrimental effects. Many environmental groups are continuing to work further to pass stricter laws regarding pesticide usage.

Scientific Findings

Research by Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry has shown that pesticides enter the atmosphere through various methods. There were pesticide residues from the Central Valley found in places as far as the Arctic. Pesticide residues spread through water surfaces, wet deposition, and through the air mass. Although individual pesticide levels are below acute toxicity levels in the Central Valley, there are synergestic and additive effects of many pesticides that harm many sensitive species.

A more detailed study has been done in 2004 regarding the toxicity of pyrethroid in specific environments. Data collection showed that cumulative effects of various pyrethroids were responsible for 17 out of 23 samples used to measure toxicity. For instance, the most extreme cases were found in Tailwater ponds. There were 77 sedimentary samples used for data collection, and 42% of the samples had toxic levels of pesticides that caused the mortality of species of several Amphipods . Furthermore, data suggested that pyrethroid concentrations in the Central Valley were greater after their usage in agriculture compared to concentrations after heavy rains. This suggests that pesticide levels during irrigation season in places with greatest pesticide usage- Fresno, Madera, Stainslaus, Sutter- would be particularly detrimental to its residents and various species in the environment.

Political Response

Studies show that pesticide usage is not only limited to agricultural settings.

Recently, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation proposed rules to restrict Neonicotinoid chemicals, insecticides that harm bees that pollinate crops . Also, in 2024, all neonicotinoid in non-agricultural settings would be banned. This chemical is used throughout all the states for agriculture, but it is especially concentrated in the Central Valley. Fresno, Kern, Tulare, Monterey and San Joaquin are among the top counties of neonicotinoid usage. Now, the next step for environmentalists is to advocate for politicians to address crop seeds that are coated with neonicotinoids. Environmentalists have proved that these coated seeds still contribute significantly to the neonicotinoid mass, and that it is detrimental to honeybees.

The United Farm Workers have fought to improve farmworkers' working conditions, and have added pressure to politicians through their union marches. President Biden supported this by releasing Assembly Bill 2183, affirming that farmworkers have the fundamental right to gather and advocate for themselves regarding their workplace. Gavin Newsom followed up and enacted the law in California. With that being said, the Union has been struggling with gathering and organizing members. The Union however continues to serve as a powerful symolic representation. Both Gavin Newson and president Biden agreed that farmworkers should have an easy way to form a union. With support from many powerful politicians, the Union achieved to push through bills that regulate whether or not the farmworkers can work in the heat.

Civilians' Voices

Following the McFarland Cancer Cluster in 1975, the small city in California never fully recovered from the effects of the pesticides. This is a city comprised mostly of farmworkers, and 94% of the population is Latino. The city leaders believed that the poor economy of the city is the blame for the Cancer Cluster. The majority of the residents wanted the federals to leave the town. Even after a decade or so after the incident, there were about 1 in 100 cases of cancer concentrated in this small community. Investigators started collecting data but nothing conclusive turned up. This inability to find a clear conclusion enraged the civilians. For instance, some people in the McFarland community complained that the investigations were incomplete. One civilian reported that there were no investigations of the deep soil or the air. A few others did not believe that the clusters even existed. .

A more recent experience came from the Madera Community . One problem was that the orchards were planted just outside of residential neighborhoods, and the chemical spray often missed the leaves and ended up on people's homes. One civilian in the community reported that the noises of the machines and the dirt from the pesticide spray created a huge disturbance to the neighborhood's daily lives. Specifically in the town of La Vina, over 300 residents tried to leverage a new state policy to decrease the pesticide drift from the fields into the community. They reported to the state officials that the orchards were too close to the residential area, and that the pesticides resulted increased the chance of premature death. These residents have partnered up with local land and water agencies to allocate state funds to shut down farmlands. The La Vina residents also pointed out the effects of the carcinogenic compounds near their elementary schools. They have requested the United States Environmental Protection Agency to give them a $500,000 grant to perform chemical tests for safety measures.