Take Action
Tell EPA to Stop the Toxic Fog!
In 2005, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a phase-out of methyl bromide, a highly toxic fumigant pesticide used in the production of strawberries, tomatoes, peppers and other North Carolina crops. Unfortunately, just when we thought the battle had been won, methyl bromide's chemical cousin, methyl iodide, was released from the pesticide industry's vault to replace methyl bromide in agricultural applications. Methyl iodide has since been approved for use in North Carolina. Methyl iodide exposure ensures the development of cancer so reliably that it's used in laboratory settings to induce the disease in cells. Before EPA approved the chemical, a group of dozens of scientists from all over the country sent a letter to the EPA expressing their dismay that the agency was "working to legalize broadcast releases of one of the more toxic chemicals used in manufacturing into the environment." Our pesticide reform allies in California have been working to prevent the approval of methyl iodide for use in their state. As a result of their efforts, the EPA may reconsider methyl iodide's registration--for the entire country! >>Take Action Today! Tell the EPA to stop methyl iodide, one of the creepiest chemicals in the industry's vault.
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This Halloween, take action to get "The Fog" of highly toxic fumigant pesticides out of NC agriculture. >>Tell EPA to stop the toxic fog of methyl iodide. >>Tell us your pesticide story. We're looking for people's stories about how pesticides have affected them. >>Support our work. Donate today!
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Take Action to Stop Methyl Iodide
Please email, call or write to EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, Steve Owens today, and ask him to re-evaluate EPA's registration for methyl iodide - a highly-toxic fumigant pesticide, and creepy cousin to methyl bromide. Here is his contact information:
Steve Owens
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances
MC 7101M
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 564-2902, owens.steve@epa.gov
>>Here is a sample letter which you can use for your email, phone call or letter to Mr. Owens.
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Please contact Toxic Free NC at or (919) 833-1123 to let us know you're taking action, or if you have any questions. Thank you! |
Sample Letter
Instructions: Copy and paste the text below into the body of an email or letter to EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, Steve Owens - owens.steve@epa.gov. Please feel free to customize your email subject and text, and be sure to add the information [IN BRACKETS]. Or, you can call Mr. Owens' office at (202) 564-2902, and use this sample text as a guide for your message or conversation.
Attn: Steve Owens
Assistant Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances
MC 7101M
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20460
(202) 564-2902, owens.steve@epa.gov
[TODAY'S DATE]
Dear Administrator Owens,
I'm writing to urge you to re-evaluate the registration of methyl iodide, a notoriously dangerous chemical that has no safe place in agriculture.
Ending the use of the very dangerous methyl bromide in agriculture was an important step for public health and the environment - but it will be meaningless if methyl bromide is replaced with a chemical just as bad - if not worse! I am taken aback that the EPA would register a known human carcinogen for use on our food supply, and hope that the scientific review process in California will assist you in reevaluating this terrible decision.
Please re-open the registration of methyl iodide and ensure that this dangerous chemical can no longer pollute our soil, water and bodies.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS HERE]