Tests Show No Threat From Use of Pesticide

Tests of methyl bromide vapors wafting from a Camarillo strawberry field show levels of the toxic pesticide far below state safety guidelines for human exposure, but nearby residents took steps on Monday to halt any expansion of the fumigation.

The highest level of the potent field fumigant found in the air near the Lamplighter Mobile Home Park was 55 parts per billion averaged over a 24-hour period, compared with a state safety target of 210 parts per billion, said Veda Federighi, spokeswoman for the state Department of Pesticide Regulation.

The highest measurements for tests taken last Thursday were recorded just 30 feet from a 10-acre parcel, she said, and the Lamplighter park is 550 feet away. Results of tests taken at 16 other locations around the perimeter of the field were not readily available, but were lower than 55 ppb, she said.

“I think this reinforces what we’ve been saying--that methyl bromide can be used safely if used according to the rules,” Federighi said.

A second set of measurements for fumigation of the same field Friday may be available today, Federighi said.

The initial test results were announced Monday as the 250-member Lamplighter Homeowners Assn. filed a letter of appeal with the state to block injection of methyl bromide into fields surrounding the 10-acre test parcel. The larger field comes as close as 30 feet to mobile homes--and residents want the state to halt the fumigation altogether or implement a buffer zone wider than the 30-foot buffer required by state rules.

“I really think the key will be what the tests show if they get closer to us,” said Jo Ann Van Reenan, a spokeswoman for nearby homeowners. “There will be a lot more emissions when a whole series of fields are gassed.”

Once all monitoring results are in, if they show low pesticide levels, the state is expected to allow grower Charles Nakama to fumigate a series of 10-acre parcels at least 550 feet from the Lamplighter park. Nakama also wants to fumigate a portion of the 40 acres that lie between the test parcel and the mobile home park.

There is no indication how close the fumigation may come to houses. But Van Reenan said she was encouraged by a state decision last Friday to prevent fumigation within 250 feet of a strawberry field in east Ventura.

“I find that an incredibly good sign,” she said.

Fumigation of the east Ventura field is expected to begin early Wednesday morning.