Today I contacted 20/20, Time, Newsweek, NPR, and CNN for national media attention on the pending aerial pesticide spraying in California, which must be stopped. I also contacted journalist friends, asking them to get my/our concerned citizens pitch to appropriate reporter.
Here's a sample...
20/20
ABC-TV
Dear Mr. Stossel,
Unless stopped, millions of Californians will soon be sprayed with an aerial pesticide that has ingredients, which have caused cancer and lung disease in animals.
Here's the facts, as I understand them:
Our governor has begun aerial pesticide spraying on populations in California in order to eradicate the light brown apple moth, a moth that experts say isn't a threat and can't be eradicated.
He began spraying in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties in Sept/Oct/November 2007. Many residents experienced severe asthma and other negative health reactions.
Monterey and Santa Cruz County residents will get sprayed again on June 1, 2008 if not stopped.
The San Francisco Bay Area will be sprayed on August 1, 2008.
Many other California counties, including Santa Barbara and Los Angeles are on a list of potential spray areas.
He began spraying in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties in Sept/Oct/November 2007. Many residents experienced severe asthma and other negative health reactions.
Monterey and Santa Cruz County residents will get sprayed again on June 1, 2008 if not stopped.
The San Francisco Bay Area will be sprayed on August 1, 2008.
Many other California counties, including Santa Barbara and Los Angeles are on a list of potential spray areas.
The pesticide can stay in the air and our lungs for up to 30 days.
The governor plans to spray again and again for years until the light brown apple moth is eradicated, which experts say it can't be.
The governor plans to spray again and again for years until the light brown apple moth is eradicated, which experts say it can't be.
We Californians need help getting national attention for what is getting much local political and media attention throughout N. California.
I've written several posts on my blog Chasing Clean Air, with important information and links, (those links below).
It is unprecedented for a governor to poison tens of millions of citizens with a potent pesticide that has not been approved by the EPA.
People are crying out for a national story on this.
It's outrageous. We're not bugs.
Entomologists say that the light brown apple moth does not threaten California's agricultural industry. Nuisance, perhaps, yes, but threat, no.
There were no environmental impact reports on health impacts of this unapproved pesticide, despite fact it contains known cancer-causing ingredients, which are banned in California.
If you can help raise national awareness, please do. This pesticide may devastate the health of tens of thousands of Californians, if not more, and hurt our healthcare and tourism industries.
I, and I'm told Fodor's Travel Guides, have started telling potential visitors that pesticide spraying will likely resume and to check spray dates and locations before traveling, especially if sensitive.
This is a serious issue, and time is running out.
Thank you for your consideration, raising national awareness on the health impacts of aerial pesticide spraying on communities, and the legalities of doing so without proper environmental impact reports.
On a personal note... people have written into my blog saying they've already left California due to getting very sick from Santa Cruz spray and they're desperate to find clean air.
Best wishes,
Donna Barnett
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