What’s the problem? Methyl iodide is a highly toxic carcinogen that the EPA approved over the objections of more than fifty scientists, including five Nobel laureates in chemistry. Chemists have historically used the carcinogen to induce cancer in lab tissue, according to scientist Susan Kegley of the Pesticide Action Network of North America. Human toxicity experts from the Hazardous Substances Data Bank at the National Institute of Heath state that the chemical “acts as a poison attacking the skin, eyes and the [central nervous system] via inhalation, ingestion, eye and skin contact.” It’s also mutagenic, meaning it causes chromosomal and DNA alternations. The DRP’s own panel of scientists and an independent peer review reported grave concerns over the use of methyl iodide in any scenario, particularly before the effects on human neurological health are better understood.
Nevertheless, the DPR is set to approve the carcinogenic pesticide by the end of June. That would be bad news for all of us, but especially for California’s farm workers, agricultural communities, children and elderly.
Pesticide Registration Branch, Department of Pesticide Regulation, P.O. Box 4015, Sacramento, CA 95812. E-mail: mei_comments@cdpr.ca.gov.