Ruling recommends stricter regulations for methyl bromide use

By Holly Fleming

Published on March 27, 2006

Methyl bromide is used in the Salinas Valley on crops such as strawberries. The ruling is meant to protect farm workers, who receive the most exposure to the chemical. Methyl bromide can cause neurological problems.

In late February, Judge James Warren ordered the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to follow the recommended health standards of the state Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment for methyl bromide field-fumigation regulations.

A lawsuit claims that DPR failed to protect farm workers and residents from methyl bromide. The plaintiffs include the California Rural Legal Assistance and the Environmental Defense Center.

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment recommended that seasonal exposure levels of methyl bromide should not be greater than one part per billion for children, and two parts per billion for adults. But DPR currently allows exposure levels of up to 9 parts per billion for children and 16 parts per billion for adults.

Almost 1.3 million pounds of methyl bromide were used on crops in Monterey County in 2004. The court held that DPR broke the law when it ignored recommendations. The organization must change the regulations within one year.

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