[Greenpeace Press Release from Environet -- Redistribute Freely]
CALTRANS' TOXIC SECRET: PESTICIDES ON THE HIGHWAYS
SAN FRANCISCO, August 24, 1991 (GP) -- Last month, Californians were shocked when a train derailment spilled almost 20,000 pounds of pesticide into the Sacramento River. Yet few people realize the California Transportation Department purposely -- and needlessly -- sprays several times that amount of toxic pesticide compounds along state highways each year.
"How can we depend on our state officials to protect us from pesticide poisoning when our own state agencies are part of the problem?" asked David Chatfield, regional director of Greenpeace.
"Caltrans and other agencies that oversee public lands and property should have no higher concern than the health and safety of the people of California," said Chatfield. "Instead, in the name of cosmetics and convenience, Caltrans is perpetuating the circle of poison."
According to its own reports, Caltrans has become the largest single user of pesticides in the state. Last year, in just one state highway district, Caltrans sprayed almost 11 pounds of pesticide per mile.
Incredibly, this means that a state agency -- using tax dollars -- is the largest single factor in an industry that costs the state and its citizens uncounted millions for regulation, transport and cleanup, to say nothing of the costs of health care for those harmed by these poisons.
Yet as it sprays 15,000 miles of roads with toxic chemicals, Caltrans does not give citizens advance notice, post sprayed areas or even take steps to keep the public out of newly sprayed areas. Even though Caltrans' herbicides have polluted water supplies, have made passersby ill and have been banned by health officials in a number of California counties, the agency has just spent $600,000 on a report to justify continued use of chemicals.
"For the state to continue this practice is worse than arrogance, and worse than stupidity," said Chatfield. "It is suicidal. Caltrans should scrap this scorched-earth policy now. What's more important: highway medians that look like golf courses, or the lives of Californians?"
CONTACT: David Chatfield or Bill Walker, Greenpeace (415)512-9025
