A Year in Review - 2023

Top Daily News of 2023 (Topics include: endangered species, PFAS, Parkinson's, plastics, GE mosquitoes, Rachel Carson Park, synthetic turf, and more.)

• PFAS Leaches into Ketchup, Mayo, Other Common Foods, Elevating Health Hazards, (March 16, 2023)
• Two Pesticides Threaten Dozens of Endangered Species, EPA Proposes Failed Risk Mitigation Measures, (April 14, 2023)
• Report Adds to Evidence of Widespread PFAS Contamination; Calls for Removal of Products, (May 4, 2023)
• New Study Spotlights Ten Pesticides Implicated in Development of Parkinson’s, (May 23, 2023)
• Reflections: “I’m a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world. Life in plastic is [NOT] fantastic,” (August 3, 2023)
• Efficacy and Health Issues Stop Release of Genetically Engineered Mosquitoes in California Florida Continues, (May 17, 2023)
• Rachel Carson Conservation Park Faces Controversy Over Toxic Herbicide Spraying, (October 11, 2023)
• NFL Players Association Calls for Stadiums to End Synthetic Turf Use, (November 1, 2023)

Pesticide-Induced Diseases Database (PIDD). The scientific findings documented in Daily News are captured in our PIDD database. Over the year, we continued to update PIDD, which includes 1,402 studies, up from 1,216, with pesticide exposure links to cancer, brain and nervous system disorders, and learning/developmental disorders logging the most entries. We also added dozens of studies documenting pesticides’ adverse impacts on bees, pollinators, and ecosystems.

Gateway on Pesticide Hazards and Safe Pest Management. The Gateway was expanded to nearly 400 pesticide folders containing information about specific pesticide environmental and health effects, regulatory action, and uses. The Gateway provides valuable information about pesticides that anyone can access and is intended to help inform local community discussion on the hazards of pesticides used, while communities can access our ManageSafe database on alternative practices and products compatible with organic standards.

Factsheets. We updated and expanded our factsheet on synthetic pyrethroids, among the most widely used insecticides. The updated document includes information on different pyrethroid types, co-formulants, and health and environmental safety information. We hope it will be a helpful tool for those encountering pyrethroid products through a pest control operator, landscaper, or as part of mosquito abatement. Check out our factsheet!

Pesticides and You. We produced a hard-hitting compilation of key scientific research and policy issues that we have tracked over the year into one multi-issue Pesticides and You, entitled Transformative Change: Informed by Policy, Science, and Action (2023). The issue tracks and reports in the latest research, organized into five sections that define the problem and solution, in a substantive way, to the existential threats related to human health threats, biodiversity, climate, and related policies and actions.

Disproportionate Risk Webpage.  Our new disproportionate risk webpage covers the relationship between unequal consequences of pesticide exposure on humans (intersecting with environmental justice), animals, and environmental health. Pesticide exposure can exacerbate the adverse health implications of underlying conditions, weakening the body’s ability to function normally, even under low levels of pesticide exposure. The page addresses the range of factors that contribute to disproportionate risk, including a compromised or underdeveloped immune system or augmented exposure to chemicals from residential, occupation, and polluted areas. Studies find pesticide exposure, and subsequent health concerns affect groups of people differently, with disproportionate harm to people of color communities. Sections of the webpage include Farmworkers and Farmworkers' Children, Gender-Specific Effects, Infants/Children, People of Color, individuals with comorbidities, and the elderly. Each section will contain specific scientific studies pertaining to pesticide exposure effects, which are cross-referenced with the PIDD database. A session at our 2023 National Forum, we dedicated a session to environmental racism and environmental justice. 

Biodiversity Protection. The decline of bees and pollinators sends a clear message that systemic change is urgently needed. We track individual chemicals as the poster children for the deficiency in current regulatory analyses of chemicals and wildlife protection. We tracked the widely used, broad-spectrum fungicide fenbuconazole, classified as “slightly toxic or nontoxic” to pollinators by EPA, but devastating to male mason bee mating behavior—jeopardizing future generations of critically essential pollinators. Additionally, Beyond Pesticides sued the Department of Interior with Protect the Peninsula’s Future and the Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Habitat to stop a lease for a 50-acre industrial aquaculture operation in the refuge. We acted to support the conservation of bird habitat, research, monitoring, outreach, and education under the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Enhancement Act (NMBCA), an innovative and cost-effective approach to the conservation of the more than 350 neotropical bird species in the U.S. that travel to Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Canada every year. At our 2023 National Forum, we dedicated a session to the protection of biodiversity.

ManageSafe™. Our hands-on information through ManageSafe, our database of practical solutions to pest issues, is a central clearinghouse of information on eliminating hazardous pesticides in land and building management. Our neighbor-to-neighbor program distributed over 400 Pesticide-Free Zone signs (ladybug, bee, and organic landscape) in 33 states, the District of Columbia, and four Canadian provinces, 1500 doorknob hangers on safe lawns and mosquito management in 19 states, and the District of Columbia.

Map of U.S. Pesticide Reform Policies. Our Map of U.S. Pesticide Reform Policies now includes 18 pesticide-free park policies, 47 with restrictions that protect pollinators, 103 that apply to public spaces, and 27 that extend restrictions to private land, and has been viewed 74,100 times.

TAKING ACTION IN COMMUNITIES

Local land management and ordinances across the country are just as much about preventing hazards and filling an increasing gap in protection from regulators as they are about recognizing the viability of sound land management practices. These practices do not use toxic chemicals, resulting in a healthier, more resilient plant life that stands up to stress and is less reliant on limited water resources.

Creating Models for What Meaningful Change Looks Like

Beyond Pesticides tracks and maintains multiple databases, including PIDD, the Gateway, ManageSafe, Daily News Blog, and more, showcasing the science and policy around pesticides to provide decision-makers and advocates with the scientific and practical justification for transitioning to organic.

We are well-positioned to effect changes in communities that serve as a model for other communities. We continue to develop the informational tools that support change agents, whether they are advocates or elected officials. We provide technical skills to land managers, ensuring effective implementation of policies and plans for sustainable and organic land management. Our approach to the hands-on work to put in place organic land management programs recognizes the importance of soil biology in cycling nutrients naturally to feed plants is often new to land managers who have not evaluated and nurtured the web of microorganisms living in the soil. This attention to the soil systems has been foundational to the success of organic agriculture nationwide. Critics, who often have a vested economic interest or history in pesticide use and proclaim that organic does not work, are, in effect, challenging the underlying principles of soil management that have enabled the exponential growth of the organic agricultural sector— now a $70 billion industry and the fastest-growing part of the agricultural economy.

Community Projects—Parks for a Sustainable Future

Beyond Pesticides works with communities to transition their land to organic practices, having worked with over 50 communities and continuing to facilitate the transition in over 25 communities. This year, we added Grinnell College (Grinnell, IA), Novato Unified School District (CA), and Austin, TX. As we forge ahead, Beyond Pesticides, with local partners and park departments is making local parks, playing fields, and schoolyards to organic land management practices to make them safe for kids (and pets!).

Keeping Organic Strong

Beyond Pesticides’ Keeping Organic Strong campaign is critical to organic integrity and public trust in organic as a solution-based strategy to address the existential health, biodiversity, and climate crises (most recent organic actions: Do You Want Organic Food to Be Held to the Highest Standard; All Synthetic Chemicals in Organic Must be Examined, Including Inerts). Being the only standard and label that is governed by law with a certification and enforcement system, our engagement with the continuous improvement of organic is critical to its growth. While the issues are not simple, many people engage with us on the decisions before the National Organic Standards Board and the National Organic Program (NOP). For the Spring and Fall NOSB meetings in 2023, we submitted on every issue before the NOSB and generated hundreds of public comments. Organic law requires the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) to consider the cradle-to-grave effects of materials when protecting against adverse effects. As we advance organic as the solution to crosscutting issues of public health threats, biodiversity collapse, and the climate emergency, we are compelled to protect the integrity of organic standards and the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. Thus, we continue to work closely with the NOSB and the National Organic Coalition to expand the reach of our positions.

Beyond Pesticides conducted an outreach effort to generate thousands of public comments (Spring/Fall 2023) on key issues before the board, in addition to submitting comments to the NOSB, highlighting that “inert” ingredients used in organic agriculture must be evaluated individually.

The Issue with Plastic Mulch. Plastic Mulch is under consideration this year as a part of its five-year review cycle. This is part of the larger issue relating to the use of plastic in organic production and handling. Awareness is growing about the impacts of plastic—and the microplastic particles resulting from its use—on human health and the environment. Plastic manufacturing requires transporting hazardous chemicals, such as those involved in the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio in 2023. Thus, plastic mulch should not be relisted as allowable in organic production. Moreover, the NOSB should initiate action to eliminate all uses of plastic in organic processing and packaging, especially for foods, as nonorganic ingredients should be eliminated from processed foods when organic ingredients are available under the NOSB review process.

Adopting Organic Practices

For those not already practicing organic, we offer guidance on adopting the practices we advocate at the household level.

Spring into Action/Settle into Summer/Flow into Fall. These pages represent a user-friendly informational resource highlighting tips on growing and maintaining your organic garden for the spring, summer, and fall. The webpage includes seasonal infographics that are easy to understand in one location. In addition to individual suggestions on transforming your garden and lawn into organic, a section is dedicated to the organic transformation of community spaces. We offer relevant resources, such as links to ManageSafe™, nontoxic pest management services, organic labeling information, organic lawn and landscape management products and herbicides, all pertaining to safer herbicide alternatives, services, and information.

Protecting Hawai’i with Vision

Our Hawai’i program protects a fragile ecosystem and its residents, serving as a model for work in the U.S. and worldwide. Pesticide-Free Landscaping: We teach about pesticides and organic practices with Maui Nui Marine Resource Council and reef-safe landscaping certification. Herbicide-Free Roadway Rights-of-Way: Responding to our efforts, Hawai’i County (Big Island) announced it would follow Maui and eliminate herbicide spraying along roadways. Growing the Food Humb and Institutionalizing Organic: After partnering to launch the Maui Food Hub during the pandemic to ensure a reliable source of local food, we continue to help grow this farmer-consumer model for organic food production. With the Maui County Department of Agriculture, we are developing a strategic plan to include resources to support organic certification for farmers. Fire Relief: With the devastating fires in Lahaina and Upcountry Maui resulting from the kind of extractive land management that we are fighting, we shifted to offer support in a time of crisis to the affected communities. We pitched in to meet basic human needs and assist with the development of a Lahaina Community Land Trust.

ELEVATING OUR VOICE THROUGH ACTION

Action of the Week (AOTW) provides our network with one concrete action that can be taken each week to have our collective voice heard to stop governmental actions that adversely affect public, worker, and environmental health, increase overall pesticide use, or undermine the advancement of organic, sustainable, and regenerative practices and policies.