Organizations Denounce State Regulation as Putting Latino Families at Risk

Various organizations in Fresno, California, have spoken out against recent legislation related to the carcinogenic pesticide 1,3-Dichloropropene, also known as Telone, claiming that it endangers the community and farm workers.

The use of pesticides in Fresno, California, disproportionately affects Latino communities, especially farmworkers and their families, due to their proximity to crop fields.

Daniela Rodríguez, a UC Berkeley intern and reporter for Radio Bilingüe, has more information.

Members of some pro-environmental organizations in Fresno have joined immigrant advocates and affected residents to denounce the inappropriate use of the fumigant known as 1,3-Dichloropropene or Telone. This chemical, which is widely used on almond and walnut crops in the Central Valley, is classified by several environmental and health agencies as a carcinogen and air pollutant.

Recently, the group gathered in front of the California state building to protest the new regulation of this fumigant because, while 40 other states have banned this chemical, California’s regulatory agency has not only refused to ban it but has also ignored the recommendations of the state’s own cancer experts, according to the activists.

Rocío Madrigal, community organizer and policy advocate for the Central California Environmental Justice Network, recognizes the direct impact on families living near fumigated fields.

“This new rule is racist and sacrifices Latinos, like those living in the West Park community. It’s an unincorporated community here in the city of Fresno, like many communities: Cinco Puntas, Cantua, Raisin City, Parlier… many here in Fresno.”

He explained that the community monitoring system has already detected pesticides, such as Telone, even on days when there were no permits to apply them.

“This pesticide has been detected by the monitor we installed at West Park School. The pesticide that was detected is often not permitted to be applied on that day. Permission must be requested to apply this pesticide. Even on days when there should be no applications, the amount measured by the monitor is high. Ninety percent of the children in West Park are Latino. They are the ones who are being sacrificed. West Park is also home to retired people, senior citizens, Latinos.”

She asserts that the rule proposed by the state benefits large agricultural companies by allowing them to continue using highly toxic products, while putting the health of Latino families at risk.

“Companies like Dow Chemical should stop making billions at the expense and in exchange for the lives and health of our communities.”

Melissa Figueroa, director of Organization and Oversight at the California Immigrant Policy Center, pointed out that immigrant families are doubly vulnerable, first because of constant exposure to fumigants, and now also because of national policies that threaten access to health services. She added that recent federal measures could leave thousands of people without medical care for illnesses caused by pesticides.

“The same parents who see their children sick from exposure to toxic substances may soon lose the health insurance necessary to provide them with care. At CIPC, we believe that no one should be forced to work in toxic conditions, that no child should be exposed to chemicals at school, and that no family should be denied medical care simply because of their immigration status.”

Juan Martínez, a resident who is now battling lymphoma, recounts how he has lived surrounded by fumigated fields in areas between Kerman and Fresno, and asserts that his poor health stems from exposure to chemicals.

“Years ago, I had valley fever, from contaminated dust in my lungs. So I already went through one, and now I have this cancer tumor. And that’s what we’re fighting right now. I think cancer is nothing more than the chemicals they spray in the fields, which you breathe in, in the ‘files’.”

He also denounced the lack of transparency of the ranchers regarding the use of pesticides.

“They don’t give information to the people or the workers. That information is kept among the ranchers, among themselves, because it’s not in their interest.”

At the end of his testimony, he shared what he hopes will one day become a reality.

“It would be very nice if here, throughout California… they removed all the chemicals.”

The message of the conference was clear: communities are asking the state to stop the expansion of fumigant use, strengthen protection zones around homes and schools, and prioritize public health over agricultural profits.

Many thanks to Daniela Rodríguez, a UC Berkeley fellow and reporter for Radio Bilingüe, for the report.