The City of San Francisco was the first to adopt the "sunset bill," phasing out use of toxic chemicals in public buildings, grounds, parks, schools, and roadsides. Thanks to much hard work by advocate groups in New York State, Albany County and the cities of Albany and Buffalo, and most recently Suffolk County have followed up by adopting their own "sunset bills." This is an enormous step in helping to protect the health and welfare of citizens, civil servants, and the environment.

Complications of asthma and other respiratory disorders continue to rise, as well as the number of people afflicted with multiple chemical sensitivities. The US Environmental Protection Agency acknowledges that indoor air quality is often much worse than outdoor air, but seems unable to rectify the problem.

The vast majority of chemicals in pesticides, cleaning solvents, and disinfectants have not been adequately tested for human health risks, particularly in relation to children's small bodies and undeveloped immune systems. Symptoms are often chronic, and rarely associated with exposures to products in such wide spread use they are generally considered safe.

Products registered with the EPA do not imply safety. It is illegal for companies to make such claims. Registration merely indicates that the active ingredients will perform as intended. There is very little research on the synergistic effects of exposure to multiple chemicals, as is the case in real life situations.

Slowly, we are beginning to recognize some of the health risks associated with everyday chemicals. Many products contain estrogen mimicking compounds which are increasingly associated with cancers and disorders of the reproductive systems, including breast and prostate cancer. Some chemicals can have a negative impact on the offspring a decade or more after parental exposure.

Pesticides are further implicated in birth defects, infertility, suppression of the immune system, childhood cancers, and some cancers commonly found among farm workers.

Neurotoxic chemicals in pesticides are designed to kill or diminish some life form. Exposure to small doses over extended periods of time can be a major health risk for people, particularly children. The neurotoxic effects can result in attention deficit disorder, behavior problems, leaming disabilities, loss of mentation, as well as headaches, nausea and vomiting.

Experiments are not done directly on human subjects making it difficult to prove without a doubt, the cause and effect relationship. However, a growing body of evidence strongly indicates a health risk, making avoidance the best policy for public health.

The "sunset law" is designed for municipalities who recognize that pesticides are linked to a number of acute and chronic health problems, and wish to phase out their use and adopt a pest control policy that substantially relies on non-chemical pest control strategies. A two or three year phase out period is allotted for adequate implementation of new policies and practices.

The overall strategy of such a ban is to target the most hazardous chemical pesticides first and to give the municipality time to adjust its pest control strategies to stop the use of such chemicals. Different localities may require different approaches on different points.

The first phase of the ban focuses on the most acutely toxic pesticides and those most heavily inplicated in cancer (Toxicity Category 1). Phase two shifts to (Toxicity Category II) pesticides classified as less acutely hazardous, possible carcinogens, and restricted use pesticides. The last phase eliminates the use of all pesticides except those specified for certain exceptions in which public health issues may dictate.

In order for a municipality to successfully implement the ban it must give some thought to alternative pest management strategies which recognize that not all pests pose a health risk and do not require total annihilation.

The impetus for this legislation usually starts at the grassroots level with citizens looking to improve the health of their community and their environment. They often must educate their elected officials and even their health departments regarding the health risks associated with pesticides, and provide them with information on alternative practices and products. It is often said, "When the people lead, the leaders will follow."

For anyone desiring more information the following contacts are provided:

Pesticide Watch Education Fund
116 New Montgomery St. # 530
San Francisco, CA 94105
415-543-2091
greggsmall@aol.com

PANUPS Pesticide Action Network North America Updates Service
www.panna.org/panna
panna@panna.org

NYPIRG New York Public Interest Research Group
107 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12210
518-436-0876

Environmental Advocates
353 Hamilton St.
Albany, NY 122 1 0 518-462-5526 Audrey Thier
athier@envadvocates.org