FRESNO, Calif. (AP)—Chemical manufacturing giant Dow fails to warn people in farming communities throughout California when a potentially dangerous pesticide is applied to nearby fields, health advocates claimed in a lawsuit filed Sept. 20.
Telone is among the most commonly used pesticides in California — applied to sugarbeets, strawberry fields, almond orchards, vineyards and other crops.
The chemical kills pests in the soil and dissipates before crops are planted, so health advocates say harmful residue is not found in food. Rather, they say the fumes released when it is first applied can potentially cause health issues.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the chemical can cause cancer when inhaled over long periods.
The Oakland-based Center for Environmental Health said it filed the lawsuit in Alameda County Superior Court against Dow AgroSciences LLC, which makes Telone.
“For decades, Dow and state regulators have put profits ahead of our health,” Michael Green, CEO of Center for Environmental Health, said in a statement. “It is long past time for California to protect children and families from Dow’s dangerous chemical.”
The center has not cited any cases of illness connected to the pesticide.
Dow spokeswoman Rachelle Schikorra declined to comment about the lawsuit.
Source: www.capitalpress.com