The use of agricultural chemicals like chlorpyrifos, 2,4-D and chlorpyralid and other similar chemicals is placing undue risk on both farmworkers and consumers. A more prudent approach that puts public health first is needed and long overdue.
WHAT WE ARE DOING
We support leadership in communities on the front lines of pesticide exposure. We work with community leaders, mostly working class communities and communities of color, to connect them with local and statewide policy advocacy campaigns.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOU'VE BEEN EXPOSED TO PESTICIDES
See also "10 Steps When Suspecting Pesticide/Herbicide Drift" (PDF)
PROJECTS
Toxic Free Schools
As part of our Toxic Free School project, we have created a legislative priority to pass in the 2023 Oregon legislature, the Toxic Free Schools bill, SB 426. This legislation is part of a three bill suite of environmental health bills lined up to protect children's health from exposure to toxic chemicals. The goal of SB 426 is to improve transparency around pesticide use in Oregon schools and provide funding to support schools integrated pest management planning. Learn more
Our work to stop chlorpyrifos was a SUCCESS!
After nearly three years of advocacy work, in alliance with PCUN, Oregon’s farm worker union, the Oregon Department of Agriculture has adopted a new set of laws to immediately restrict the use of chlorpyrifos! The broad coalition organized by Beyond Toxics and PCUN, mobilized hundreds of comments and worked closely with the agency to eliminate barriers to public participation to ensure that farmworkers and impacted members of the public could make their voices heard. Learn more
See also:
The problem with organophosphates
and
Oregon moves to phase out most uses of a controversial pesticide by 2023
By Monica Samayoa (OPB), Dec. 15, 2020
Victory in Central Oregon
On May 9th, 2019, Oregon became the first state in the country to restrict the use of Aminocyclopyrachlor (ACP), an herbicide marketed to kill weeds that ends up killing trees. Beyond Toxics led the grassroots campaign that resulted in this landmark victory to protect trees and wildlife areas from a potent herbicide. Learn more
