EnvironmentalCommittee
2009 2008 2007 2006 SFATF Environmental Mtg. 3/4/09, 1:30 -3:15pm
1390 Market St., Suite 410 in the Children's Environmental Health Promotion, Environmental Health Section, San Francisco Department of Public Health.
Attendees: Arturo De Leon; Karen Cohn, Tina Cosentino, Tracey Brieger, Cynthia Knowles, Caroline Cox
I. Introduction & Review minutes - Minutes Approved.
II. Strategies for collaboration with Miguel & Arturo
· Miguel unable to attend. Arturo described background and job as pesticide use enforcement industrial hygienist/investigator and answered task force questions:
1) What definition of IPM do you use? Is there a general agreement when people use this term?
· Use definition in 2006 Assembly Bill 2260. This definition is used for all agencies under CAL-EPA. Agencies under the Structural Pest Control Board - SPCB (under the Dept of consumer affairs) use definition in new SPCB regulations. Note: pest control operators go to CAL-EPA and DPR for business licenses and go to SBCB for Branch I (building fumigation), II (general pest) & III (termite) licenses.
· Arturo asks for pest threshold: “How many pests are you willing to see?” Zero tolerance for rats, otherwise, harm reduction approach.
· Resource: www.beyondipm.org
2) Which pest control operators do you know who are interested in IPM? What opportunities do you see to encourage the expansion of the growth of the IPM pest management industry?
· Only 5 certified by EcoWise. How to insure more are trained in IPM locally? Frame as a way for operators to expand their business.
· Catherine Boyle (SBCD) is in charge of pest operator CE trainings (2 hrs of IPM required by SPCB in 2010?). Contact Catherine Boyle to increase IPM in trainings
3) Given the state’s preemption on pesticides which prohibits local governments from passing ordinances more restrictive than the state, what are reasonable actions SFATF can take to decrease pesticide use and exposure for local residents?
· There are no current mandates to reduce pesticides.
· Media – consumers should be aware so they ask operator, “Have you practiced IPM?” Create market demand.
4) Does the city in any manner audit the accuracy of the pest control operator reports?
· Arturo enforces city/county and state law. Can’t inspect federal property (i.e. Presidio). City ordinance only enforced for city property.
5) What tracking could you help us obtain from the state re. pesticide use in residential settings?
· Current reporting does not capture building data. Pest control operators report cumulative monthly pesticide data. Sacramento annually looks at amount & kinds of pesticides which CPR has found useful in past advocacy.
· Arturo can’t require forms unless mandated by DPR and uniform across counties. He could ask for a supplemental form but only voluntary. To change forms, speak with CALASA (org for all of the ag commissioners).
· Within 4 days of incident, report to poison control (H&S branch). They report to federal. Need to author full report within 15 days.
· Note: Unit of DPH tracks violations in multi-unit housing
6) Please explain your complaint investigation protocol for improper pesticide applications or alleged pesticide exposure. How many complaints do you typically receive in a month or a year?
· 1-2*/mo investigate accidents, hospitalizations. Most complaints for asthma. Operators may overuse pesticides to comply with building managers or tenants use pesticides and don’t open windows.
III. Finalize questions for store managers – table for next meeting. Note: Bed Bath & Beyond have “safer products.” Walgreens has MSDS book (manager reports it is easier to put labels on products then shelve them differently since companies pay to have products at eye level). Add questions about biodegradability. Also, “Do you have unscented available? If manufactures makes unscented products, do you stock them?”
IV: Review letter drafts for Green Seal – table for next meeting. Krista- e-mail Cynthia G8 criteria.
V: Updates
· EWG presentation at Env Health. They are working on a Kid-Safe Chemical Act. Should SFATF write a letter of support? Discuss next meeting.
· Commissioners asked to fill out pesticide and cleaning surveys
· CAFA presentation (CPR on panel) April 27-29th re: housing and health
· CAFA: continuing to build relationships in Sacramento re: housing and health hearing
· Housing Rights Committee working on Bed Bugs @ Senior Center
VI: Closing -Agenda for next meeting (1:30-3:30pm 4/1/09)
· Introductions and review minutes (10 min)
· G8 letter (20)
· EWG letter (20)
· Store manger questions & next steps (40)
· Updates (20)
· Closing & Agenda for next meeting (10)
