Anti-Malathion Activists Start New Initiative Drive : Politics: Group cites unknown health risks in urging ban on spraying unless every resident affected gives permission. State, agriculture officials again say pesticide is safe.

Calling malathion spraying by the state “sick” and “an abomination,” an activist group announced an initiative effort Thursday to ban use of pesticides without permission of every owner whose property is sprayed.

Members of Remedy Our Laws, formed in 1990 in opposition to malathion spraying, said they hope to gather 600,000 signatures by May 10, well over the 385,000 needed to get on the November state ballot. The initiative failed to get enough signatures when it was first tried in 1990.

“We’re not calling for banning pesticides,” said Oscar Singer of City Terrace, founder of the group. “We’re just saying that before they are used, the state gets written permission of the property owners.” He conceded that meant that one homeowner’s refusal might prevent spraying.

The initiative also would make state and local governments liable for injuries resulting from pest control and would require public disclosure of ingredients.

A dozen supporters, including some members of Orange County Citizens Against Malathion Spraying, stood with Singer as he accused the state of not telling the public about the “secret poisons” in malathion.

According to the state Department of Food and Agriculture, the spraying does not endanger humans or animals.

“Malathion is one of the most studied chemicals to come down the pipe,” said Bev Passerello, who works in the state department of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. “I think it would seem very unlikely and illogical for . . . any agency to allow people, pets and crops to be sprayed with chemicals that would have negative health effects.”

Any chemical product would be harmful to people overexposed to it, she said, citing aspirin, bleach and household cleansers as examples.

“Malathion is just a chemical like any of those. In the strength being used, we are assured there are no ill health effects.”

But Costa Mesa resident Phil Cutler said, “How much risk are we willing to take to profit growers? It’s not necessary to know just how dangerous malathion really is . . . it’s not knowing what the impact will be 10, 20, 30 years down the road.”

Activists urged more use of sterile Medflies to replace the use of malathion. But Alan Reynolds, manager of Treasure Farms in Irvine, said that “if using sterile Medflies alone worked, we’d do that, but it doesn’t.”

Allan Price of Irvine Valencia Orange Growers said, “I don’t think we have health risks and there is much more to risk with losing agriculture.”

Singer said the group has 1,000 volunteers so far. Another public drive to get signatures will be held in Corona, where aerial spraying began last week, he said.

“I understand why they’re doing it,” said Carl DeWing, spokesman for the state Department of Food and Agriculture. “But I’m not sure if they understand the ramifications.”