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California
Bad Actor Pesticides: Types of Toxic Pesticides
Carcinogens: Pesticides
listed as known or probable carcinogens by the U.S. EPA or the state
of California.
Reproductive and developmental
toxicants: Pesticides known to cause infertility, sterility, birth
defects and impaired childhood development, listed by the state of California.
Groundwater contaminants:
Pesticides found repeatedly in groundwater in California. By state law,
use of these pesticides is severely restricted in designated areas of
the state that are susceptible to groundwater contamination.
Pesticides with high acute
toxicity: Pesticide active ingredients that are acute systemic poisons.
These materials are lethal to laboratory animals when they eat less than
50 mg per 1 kg of body weight, inhale air containing a concentration of
the substance less than 0.2 mg per liter of air, or are exposed through
the skin to levels less than 200 mg per kg of body weight. In other words,
for a 150-pound person, consumption of as little as one-tenth of an ounce
can be fatal.
Cholinesterase inhibitors:
Neurotoxic pesticides known to interfere with proper functioning of cholinesterase
(ChE), an enzyme which facilitates transmission of nerve impulses. Two
chemical classes of pesticides -- organophosphates and carbamates -- constitute
the ChE-inhibiting pesticides. The list of ChE inhibitors was constructed
based on DPR's list of cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides.
Endocrine disruptors: Pesticides
linked to the disruption of hormone function in humans and/or wildlife.
These chemicals have been shown to alter levels of male and female hormones,
as well as certain thyroid hormones. While it is clear that some pesticides
are capable of having endocrine disrupting effects, no comprehensive list
of the endocrine-disrupting abilities of pesticide chemicals has yet been
compiled. In this report, we designate a pesticide as an endocrine disruptor
based on multiple references. Because insufficient information exists
on these chemicals to determine the extent of potential harm they might
cause, designation of a pesticide as an endocrine disruptor alone does
not place it on the list of CA Bad Actor pesticides.
Restricted use pesticides (RUPs):
Both the U.S. EPA and the state of California restrict the use of some
pesticides because they are acutely toxic to humans or beneficial insects;
have been shown to cause worker illnesses, groundwater contamination,
bird or fish kills; or their drift damages other crops. RUPs can be used
only by applicators certified and licensed by the state, and then only
under specific conditions.
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