Within the medical community few realize the devastating health impacts of pesticides. These poisons, designed to kill multicellular organisms, are not only regularly used in agriculture, but pervasively in homes, offices, restaurants, and schools. We are asking you to please write Governor Davis and urge his support for this important legislation.
Children are more susceptible to environmental health hazards than adults.
Pound for pound, children eat more, drink more, and breathe more resulting in relatively greater exposures to chemicals in the environment. Because children are undergoing complex biological growth and development, and because they lack mature organs to filter and metabolize toxic chemicals, they are also more vulnerable. Most California schools currently fail to adequately protect children's health from dangerous pesticides. The Healthy Schools Act of 2000 enjoys broad support from the medical community including the American Academy of Pediatrics-District IX, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, California Medical Association, California Nurses Association, and Physicians for Social Responsibility. The bill is also supported by more than 40 public interest organizations.