Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS)

Resource Pointer #202

April 5, 1999

For copies of the following resources, please contact the appropriate publishers or organizations directly.

*What You Don’t Know Could Hurt You: Pesticides in California’s Air, 1998* Environmental Working Group (EWG). Analyzes over 100 air samples taken across the state by EWG. Study reveals that two thirds of the air samples contained pesticides known to cause cancer, brain damage, birth defects, acute poisonings and other negative health effects. Looks at pesticides as a source of air pollution and makes recommendations to Californian governmental bodies for reduction of air pollution generated by pesticide use. 44 pp. US$20 + $3 postage. Also available on EWG website. Contact Environmental Working Group, 1718 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 600, Washington D.C. 20009; phone (202) 667-6982; fax (202) 232-2592; email info@ewg.org; website http://www.ewg.org.

*Pesticides and Children’s Health: What Every Parent Should Know, 1998* Laura Weiss and Caroline Cox. Examines children’s daily exposure to pesticides via food residues, air contaminants, household dust and contact with treated lawns and gardens. Looks at health effects of exposure and makes recommendations for reducing exposure. 20 pp. US$5. Contact Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, P.O. Box 1393, Eugene, OR 97440-1393; phone (541) 344-5044; fax (541) 344-6923; email info@pesticide.org; website www.pesticide.org/PesticidesChildrensHealth.pd.

*Pesticide Residues in Food: Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues, Evaluations 1997, Part II* Summarizes data used to set acceptable daily intakes for 13 pesticides-abamectin, amitrole, aminomethylphosphonic acid, chlormequat, fenamiphos, fenbuconazole, fenthion, fipronil, guazatine, lindane, malathion, methidathion, phosalone and triforine. 359 pp. Sw.fr 80. Contact World Health Organization, Distribution and Sales, CH-1211 Geneve 27, Switzerland: phone (022) 791-2111; fax (022) 791-0746; email publications@who.ch; website http://www.who.int/

*The Staying Healthy Shopper’s Guide: Feed Your Family Safely, 1999* Elson M. Haas, M.D. Provides guidelines for making healthy food choices, taking into consideration pesticide residues, food additives and preservatives. Gives an overview of health effects of pesticide residues in food, outlines categories of commonly used pesticides and looks at pesticide monitoring by government agencies. Argues case for organic agriculture. Makes suggestions for reducing food contamination risks in your home. 218 pp. US$12.95. Contact Celestial Arts Publishing, P.O. Box 7123, Berkeley, CA 94707; phone (510) 559-1600; fax (510) 524-4588; email ewhitmore@tenspeed.com.

*Environmental Cancer: A Political Disease? 1999* S. Robert Lichter and Stanley Rotham. The authors find that journalists have been oversympathetic with environmental activists and cast doubt on the objectivity of the news media and environmentalists. The authors conclude that “misplaced fears about the risks of environmental cancer have seriously distorted public policy and priorities.” 235 pp. US$17. Contact Yale University Press, P.O. Box 209040, New Haven, CT 06520-9040; phone (800) 987-7323; fax (203) 432-0948; website http://www.yale.edu/yup/.

We encourage those interested in having resources listed in the PANUPS Resource Pointer to send review copies of publications, videos or other resources to our office.