SYLMAR, CA. – United officials from various agencies last week supported Assembly Bill 405, the most sweeping protection for California school children from pesticides. Assemblymember Cindy Montañez, the author of AB 405, was joined in a press conference by Los Angeles Unified School Boardmembers Julie Korenstein and Jon Lauritzen, Director of Environmental Health & Safety, Angelo Bellomo, Diana Dixon Davis of the PTA, and Robina Suwol, Executive Director of California Safe Schools to educate the public on the hidden dangers of pesticides, and to urge the passage of AB 405, legislation that will end the use of experimental pesticides in K-12 public schools throughout California.

Experimental pesticides are chemicals, which have not received full health, stability or efficacy studies. AB 405, is nearing a final vote in the state Senate, one-step closer to the Governor’s signature.

The bill, sponsored by California Safe Schools, has gained momentum in recent months, passing the Senate Environmental Quality Committee

in July and the full Assembly in June. Passage of the bill is expected in September, then it will land on the desk of Governor Schwarzenegger. It is unknown whether the Governor will sign or veto the bill. The bill prevents k-12 public schools from being used as test sites for experimental pesticides.

“We are deeply gratified at the support this common-sense measure has received from elected officials so far, and feel confident that the Senate and Governor will also approve the bill," said Sponsor of AB 405, Robina Suwol of California Safe Schools. "

“Children and teachers should never be used as lab rats or guinea pigs for experimental chemicals. Los Angeles Unified School district, the second largest in the nation, deserve praise for their proactive actions in banning the use of experimental products at their school sites”, added Brandon Stirling Baker, a Los Angeles Unified Magnet student.

Still, LAUSD and Montañez believe such protection should be mandated by law. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that school children and school workers nationwide continue to be poisoned by pesticides.

Supporters include the California Medical Association, California Teachers Association, California School Boards Association, California State PTA, Learning Disabilities Association of California, Los Angeles Unified School District, United Teachers of Los Angeles, American Lung Association of Los Angeles, Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America,

Organic Consumers, Sierra Club, and the Environmental Health & Environmental Justice community.

For further informaion:

California Safe Schools

818-785-5515

www.calisafe.org

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