📋
Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Napa County Grand Jury • 2001-2002

Agricultural Pesticides – Napa County

9 pages
View PDF View Full Original

Findings 6 findings

F1 Page 21
The Grand Jury found no evidence of any significant, repetitive or extensive violation of agricultural pesticide use in the county. Where appropriate, it appears that violators have been assessed warnings, penalties and/or fines and corrected their misuse.
F2 Page 22
Other counties in California have had devastating agricultural problems with the introduction of the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter (GWSS) as a vector for Pierce’s Disease in certain crops. At this time, there is no evidence of GWSS infestation in Napa County. While there are other pests that have already introduced Pierce’s Disease into Napa County, the introduction of the GWSS would create an exponentially more serious problem. The AC and staff created the current GWSS work plan. The GWSS work plan for Napa County has evolved following much citizen task force input. Initially, some citizen groups felt that the work plan was premature and unsatisfactory, in that it did not adequately include options for using alternatives to traditional pesticides. What has resulted is a work plan that offers property owners options of traditional or alternative pesticides in the event of an infestation. The Grand Jury review found that the Napa County Agricultural Commissioner is knowledgeable and responsive to community concerns regarding agricultural pesticide issues. He continues to regularly meet with several citizen and vintner groups on this matter. He appears to be one of the leaders in the State on the GWSS issue. There has been a continuing attempt by the AC to educate the general public, vintners, agricultural workers, and health care providers on this topic. COMMENDATION The Grand Jury commends the Napa County Agricultural Commissioner for his leadership on the GWSS issue and his efforts at appointing qualified Napa County citizens to task forces on this important pesticide related matter.
F3 Page 22
Traditional agricultural practices involving the application of toxic chemicals to soil can lead to cumulative chemical effects that contaminate the environment, threaten human health and compromise ecosystems. There is a growing trend among some County farmers that is resulting in a movement away from traditional chemical pesticides and towards a safer pest management approach. This concept of “Sustainable Agriculture” can provide agricultural product in a profitable way without creating pollution or risks to human health or environment. Sustainable Agriculture is "an integrated system of plant production practices that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs" according to the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program at the University of California, Davis. This Program was created in 1986 by CA legislature in response to concern about: • Protecting human health and wildlife in rural communities; • The environmental impacts of traditional agricultural techniques; • Profitability and success of small and family farming operations; and • Ensuring abundant, affordable and healthy farming product.
F4 Page 23
Last year, more than 2,120,000 pounds of pesticide were used in Napa County, which ranked 22nd highest in pesticide use out of California's 58 counties. This represents a 10% decrease from the prior year. This is the third straight year that Napa County has experienced decreased conventional agricultural pesticide use. Three of the top five most-used pesticides or herbicides in Napa County: sulfur, glyphosate salt and copper hydroxide, are considered relatively safe to humans. The most commonly used chemical is elemental sulfur, which many believe is relatively safe for human contact and the environment. In fact, elemental sulfur is authorized for use by certified organic farmers. However, some observers still feel that there may be long-term health risks even with elemental sulfur use. Two others in the top five, methyl bromide and simazine, are among chemicals that most concern citizen activists: • Methyl bromide is a soil sterilant in gas form used prior to planting. It has been associated with human birth defects at low doses, and its use is closely regulated under the terms of Proposition 65: the State’s Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1984. • Simazine is a common herbicide used on grapes. It is categorized as a possible human carcinogen and endocrine disrupting chemical. It is a frequent ground water contaminant throughout the U.S. Some vineyard managers believe that most of the useful information on effective pesticide or herbicide choices comes from local dealers, marketing agents or word of mouth from other vineyard managers, rather than from our local government agencies.
F5 Page 24
Watershed testing for ground and surface water contamination in Napa County done by State agencies over the past twelve years has shown undetectable levels of pesticide or herbicide. These tests are done on a random, unscheduled basis throughout high-risk areas in the county. State requirements vary from one time testing, annual testing or every three-year testing, depending on the chemical. Water is also tested for other contaminants, including pathogens, nutrients and sediment by these random tests. Currently the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) receives State funds of $26,000 per year plus additional tax revenues from local water districts for implementing these environmental health and safety regulations. However, neither DEM nor any other local Napa County agency is testing ground or river water for pesticide contamination at this time. According to the Director, this is in part due to DEM staffing shortages over the past several years. The State may take over the required testing in Napa County if DEM does not comply, and DEM could lose State and water district revenues for this testing. Currently, neither Sonoma nor Solano County agencies are doing local ground water testing; it is being done by the State.
F6 Page 25
The Agriculture Commissioner, the Director of DEM and the Napa County Public Health Officer have investigated and found that there are no reports of any serious illnesses or injuries related to pesticide use in Napa County. There have been some mild eye and skin irritations or allergic reactions of a temporary nature in some pesticide workers. The Grand Jury finds that there is no data or evidence to link pesticide exposure with any chronic or long-term illness or injury affecting Napa County residents. Specifically, the Grand Jury finds that there is no evidence to indicate a clustering of cancer or higher incidences of cancer among residents in agricultural areas of the county or among agricultural workers.

Recommendations 5