We need data on how pesticides behave generically. She adds that the department is not surprised that the study found detectable traces of pesticide in the air in Sonoma County. What we're saying is the dose makes the poison. If the exposure is low enough, there is no health effect. Judy James, executive director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau, agrees that farmers are not overusing chemicals.
Pesticides are expensive and cumbersome and difficult as far as regulations are concerned.
The report calls for 72-hour written notice to all homes, schools, and businesses within 1,000 feet of a field before application of any toxic pesticide. There's no way of monitoring the whole county to accomplish this. Rick Theis, executive director of the Sonoma County Grape Growers Association, echoes that opinion. These things are made to be applied in a way that essentially is not a threat to neighbors. We encourage people to communicate with each other.