Monitoring shows low pesticide levels in California air

Recent air monitoring results released by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) showed most monitored pesticides were well below levels that could cause concerns about human health or that would necessitate further monitoring.

The study was on 32 pesticides and five breakdown products in six rural agricultural communities, including: Salinas (Monterey County), Shafter (Kern County) and Ripon (San Joaquin County), which DPR directly monitors; and Ventura, Santa Maria (Santa Barbara County) and Watsonville (Santa Cruz County), which the Air Resources Board (ARB) monitors at DPR's request.

Fourteen of the 32 pesticides were not detected at all; 12 were found at trace levels.

There could be slight variances in annual data caused by weather, pest pressures and types of applications.

The air monitoring network was launched in an effort to broaden the DPR's knowledge about possible health risks associated with long-term exposure to pesticides. The data collected assists DPR staff in determining whether or not more protective measures are necessary.