Pesticides and Communities
Pesticide use is a critical environmental justice issue known to cause a myriad of health problems and environmental degradation.
What we are doing
Beyond Toxics is leading a movement to protect human and environmental health. Our goal is to transition beyond harmful synthetic pesticides by working with impacted communities to win local and statewide policy advocacy campaigns.
Projects
Toxic-Free Living
Whether it's cleaning supplies, personal care products, or pesticides for home use, chemicals found in a wide variety of the household products we use every day may be more toxic than previously thought. Many families, especially those in lower-income and communities of color, face higher risks from everyday exposures.
Pollinator Health & Food Security
Healthy and diverse pollinator populations are an integral piece in the larger picture of worldwide health and nutrition. Bees and other pollinating insects are crucial to the food produced by more than 2.5 billion small farmers worldwide.
Statewide Pesticide Policy
We initiate and participate in rulemaking by the Oregon Department of Agriculture to develop more stringent restrictions for highly hazardous, persistent and volatile pesticides proven to cause health problems, air pollution and water contamination. We advance sound recommendations to safeguard the health of farm workers, bystanders and children who are affected by harmful pesticide drift.
Pesticide Exposure Resources
People, pets, and wildlife can be at risk for health problems as a result of exposure to pesticides. Pesticides can be absorbed by breathing air with vapor or particles, contact with skin, or through contaminated food or water. If you think you've been exposed to toxic pesticides, there are steps you can take and resources you can use for support.
Recent News
A Who's Who of pesticides is therefore of concern to us all. If we are going to live so intimately with these chemicals eating and drinking them, taking them into the very marrow of our bones - we had better know something about their nature and their power.
”Further Reading
HB2409 gives homeowners freedom of choice - R-G Guest Editorial
By Jennifer Eisele, Pesticides Project Manager and Barb Rumer, Community Pesticide Reform Advocate
Victory for New York City! Use of pesticides is banned in all parks and playgrounds.
