Join the Social Media Day of Action to Ban Methyl Iodide!

With peak fumigation season just weeks away, we need your help urging Governor Jerry Brown to stop the use of the cancer-causing pesticide methyl iodide in California’s crop fields.

Today, August 23^rd, Pesticide Action Network (PAN) is teaming up with Change.org to launch a social media day of action. We’re inviting concerned citizens like you to join us on Facebook and Twitter in calling on Gov. Brown to pull methyl iodide from the shelves before fumigation season starts. We need to act quickly!

Here’s how you can get involved: On Facebook, go to Jerry Brown's page and click the ‘Like’ button at the top. Then post this message to his wall: "Governor Brown, please keep California's strawberry fields and communities safe from the cancer-causing pesticide, methyl iodide. http://www.change.org/petitions/fumigation-season-is-here-we-need-action-on-methyl-iodide-3" You can also craft your own message—the more personal the story, the better!

On Twitter, post a message like this: "Hey @JerryBrownGov Pull methyl iodide. Kids, farmworkers & neighbors will thank u http://ow.ly/6amYl @pesticideaction #SafeStrawberry"

What’s at stake

Under tremendous pressure from methyl iodide’s manufacturer, Arysta LifeScience, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation approved its use last December. This decision was made despite widespread community opposition and warnings from independent scientists, who reviewed the pesticide and called it “one of the most toxic chemicals on earth.” As a result, Governor Brown pledged to “take a fresh look” at the issue in March.

Meanwhile, four farms have already started applying the toxic pesticide, and with peak fumigation season just weeks away, others will likely follow suit. That would be bad news for farmworkers, neighbors, and consumers.

“The availability of a chemical that causes cancer, late-term miscarriages, and permanent neurological damage in the fields is a ticking time bomb,“ said Dr. Susan Kegley, consulting scientist with Pesticide Action Network. “The idea that this pesticide can be used safely in the fields is a myth.”

Methyl iodide should stop being used. Period.

Action in Sacramento

Today in Sacramento, PAN and partner organizations – representing a new alliance of health and environmental groups – will be gathering in Sacramento to deliver 30,000+ petition signatures to the Governor’s office. The signatures were collected in conjunction with PAN allies and Change.org in a nationwide effort to contact Gov. Brown and urge him to reverse the approval of methyl iodide. If you haven’t yet signed the petition, it’s not too late!

Those who gather in Sacramento today will also participate in a mock “fumigation” to highlight the health threat methyl iodide poses to farmworkers and neighboring rural communities. Feel free to join in if you’re in the area!

Innovative farmers are already turning to non-toxic farming practices, growing strawberries and other fruits and vegetables without methyl iodide.

Make sure Gov. Brown gets the message: This cancer-causing pesticide shouldn’t be an option in California.

Thanks for taking part in the social media day of action, and be sure to spread this message to your friends and family! And if you haven't yet signed the petition urging Gov. Brown to pull methyl iodide, you can do so here.

Photo credit: C. G. P. Grey via Flickr