Strawberry Fields...For Cancer? Thyroid Cancer is One of Many Health Dangers of Methyl Iodide, Toxic Pesticide Being Considered for Use on California Crops

Is there anything left that doesn't cause some sort of health danger, and in particular, problems for the thyroid?

The latest news is that California's strawberry growers may soon replace the pesticide methyl bromide with methyl iodide. Methyl iodide it typically mixed into dirt to kill insects, bacteria, fungus, and weeds. It's likely to be used primarily with strawberries because, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, "that fruit is particularly susceptible to soil-borne pests."

Methyl iodide, while not a danger to the ozone layer (as methyl bromide is), is a toxic fumigant that has a number of negative health effects, including on the thyroid. According to the Pesticide Action Network, "Methyl iodide is so reliably carcinogenic that it's used in the lab to cause cancer. Scientists say it 'cannot be used safely,' yet [the California Departmen tof Pesticide Regulation] has proposed approval." Studies have also shown that in animal studies, methyl iodide can cause thyroid cancer and miscarriages. And, according to Dr. Paul Blanc, one of the scientists who has reviewed the data on methyl iodide, there are also serious concerns "about methyl iodide's long term effects on the developing nervous system of any infant or child that might come into contact even with very small amounts of this highly toxic material."

Dr. Blanc is not alone in his concerns. Forty-nine scientists and five Nobel prize winners have issued statements opposing the use of methyl iodide, according to United Press International. Many environmental groups also strongly oppose the approval of methyl iodide use on California's crops.

Unless there is a strong public opposition in the next few days, however, methyl iodide will become legal for growers to use at the end of June. This means Californians have less than two weeks to register concern about the use of methyl iodide on crops, including strawberries. And here is a frightening statistic: an estimated 85% of our strawberries sold in the U.S. come from California.

To weigh in on the methyl iodide issue:

• Phone the California Governor's office at (916) 445-2841
  
• Email the California Department of Pesticide Regulation at mei_comments@cdpr.ca.gov
  
• Sign the Petition to the EPA

More Information on Methyl Iodide

• Pesticide Action Network -- Methyl iodide page
• EPA Pesticide Fact Sheet: Methyl Iodide
• State poised to OK supertoxic pesticide, San Francisco Chronicle, June 2, 2010
• Strawberries and Worker Safety/KQUD Multimedia Series
• Methyl Iodide Controversy: Warning About Strawberry Field Chemical Ignored
• California Watch

About Mary Shomon | Thyroid Forum | Twitter | Facebook

_{Photo: clipart.com}

_{Sources:
Blanc, Paul D. M.D., M.S.P.H., "Household Hazards: How Everyday Products Make Us Sick" Psychology Today, June 15, 2010}

_{"Calif. pesticide plan stirs controversy," UPI.com, June 2, 2010}

_{Standen, Amy. "Methyl Iodide Controversy: Warning About Strawberry Field Chemical Ignored," Huffington Post, June 7, 2010}