Why is This Important?

Widespread use of toxic pesticides can damage human health and the environment. Toxic pesticides can cause cancer or do reproductive or neurological harm. Pesticides applied to homes, gardens, buildings, agriculture, rights of way, and other areas can run off into waterways, polluting water and threatening the health of wildlife. Organic food production and nontoxic or less toxic pest management are emerging as alternatives to conventional pesticide use.

What is a Sustainable State?

A sustainable state is one where the most toxic pesticides are eliminated from use and nontoxic management practices are widespread.

How Are We Doing?

Pesticide Use
• In 2008, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation reported 306,000 pounds of pesticides were used in San Mateo County for nonresidential purposes, an increase of 6.2 percent. Fifty-four percent (167,000 pounds) were classifi ed as "most toxic" by the Pesticide Action Network.
• The use of the most toxic pesticides was 3 percent higher than 2007. Almost all of this increase came from use of the three most common pesticides, particularly metam-sodium, which is used primarily on Brussel's sprouts and increased by 25.4 percent in 2008.
• Average annual use of these most toxic pesticides was 160,000 pounds from 2006 through 2008, versus 122,000 pounds from 2001 through 2003, an increase of 31 percent.

• Agriculture production (including nursery plants) was the largest use for pesticides in 2008 with about 59 percent of pesticides. Structural pest control (which includes pesticides used to control ants, termites or roaches in buildings) was the second largest mode of use, with 31 percent.
• The same three pesticides continue to account for the majority of the "most toxic" pesticide use in the county.
• Sulfuryl fluoride is the most widely used (in pounds applied) pesticide among those considered "most toxic." Over 51,000 pounds were applied in the county in 2008 for termite pest control by structural pest control companies.
• Metam-potassium (Potassium N-methyldithiocarbamate) was the second most widely used pesticide among those on the "most toxic" list, with over 48,000 pounds applied. Metam-potassium, a known carcinogen, is applied to soils in the cultivation of Brussel's sprouts.
• Metam-sodium, also used primarily on Brussel's sprouts, is the third most applied pesticide, with 27,600 pounds applied.