Spotlight
Farmworkers & pesticides
documentary project
This summer Toxic Free NC
is doing a farmworker documentary project in order to
bring the voices of farmworkers into the public process
for policy issues that affect them. Our Communications
Coordinator Ana Duncan Pardo partnered with Student Action
with Farmworkers earlier this summer for a documentary
training to get the project started. Pictured above: SAF
Intern Alejandra learns to use audio equipment before
her first interview with a worker.
>>Want to help? Contact
us about donating supplies for this project, volunteering,
or other ways of supporting our work.
Pesticides
in the News
Also check out
weekly news and commentary from Toxic Free NC on
Fair Ground
July 30, 2008: "Safe" pesticides now first
in poisonings
"(...) Pyrethrins, extracted from the chrysanthemum plant,
and their synthetic relatives, pyrethroids, have exploded
in popularity over the last decade. They are now used in
thousands of consumer products from Hartz Dog Flea & Tick
Killer to Raid Ant and Roach Killer. These chemicals are
found in bug-repellant clothing, flea collars, automatic
misting devices, lawn-care products, and carpet sprays. (...)"
>>full story from the Center for Public Integrity
July 29, 2008: Carbofuran Faces Ban
EPA decision could speed up removal of food pesticide from
the U.S. market
"In a move that caught industry and environmental
groups by surprise, the Environmental Protection Agency
proposed on July 24 to ban residues of the neurotoxic pesticide
carbofuran on all foods sold in the U.S., regardless of
whether the food is imported or domestically grown. The
proposal is contrary to EPA’s prior position, announced
earlier this year, that would have allowed residues of
the pesticide on imported foods and, if implemented, will
expedite the elimination of carbofuran from the U.S. market.
(...)" >>full story from Chemical & Engineering News
July 29, 2008: Lawmakers
agree to ban toxins in children’s
items
"Congressional negotiators agreed
yesterday to a ban on a family of toxins found in children's
products, handing a major victory to parents and health experts
who have been clamoring for the government to remove harmful
chemicals from toys. The rare action by Congress reflects
a growing body of scientific research showing that children
ingest the toxins by acts as simple as chewing on a rubber
duck. Used for decades in plastic production, the chemicals
are now thought to act as hormones and cause reproductive
problems, especially in boys. (...)" >>full story from the
Washington Post
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Take Action

On Wednesday, 7/9, the NC Senate
passed S 847, Prevent Agricultural Pesticide Exposure, and
the bill is now headed to the Governor's desk for his signature. Thank
you and congratulations to everyone who's taken action in
support of this legislation! >>More
information & send thank yous
>>RFP
for IPM Consulting Services, deadline 8/17/08
Take Action
Readin',
Writin' and Riddin' of Bugs
Is your
school making the grade on pesticide notification
for parents and staff? Take
action today!

Attention parents and guardians, teachers,
and other staff of public schools in North Carolina: You
now have the right to be notified in advance of pesticide
use at your school or work site! Is your school notifying
you? >>Take
action today
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