Pesticide Drift and the Area Plan

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Pesticide Drift and the Area Plan
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Pesticide Drift

• SB 391 was chaptered in September 2004.
• Intent is to deal with the effects of
  non-occupational exposure to pesticides.
• The new law requires that pesticide drift
  protocols be incorporated into area plans
  (California Code of Regulations, Title 19,
  Division 2, Chapter 4, Article 3, Sections
  2720-2728).

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Implementation

• Cal/EPA with other agencies will help develop
  protocols for emergency response to pesticide
  drift exposure, to be integrated into local area
  plans.
• The violator is responsible to pay medical costs
  for non-occupational pesticide drift exposure if
• - Misuse caused acute illness or injury, and
• - Exposed persons seek immediate medical aid,
  and
• - Medical costs are not reimbursed, and
• - Pesticide use is for production agriculture.
• Separate violation counts for each exposed person.

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Pesticide Drift Protocols

• Three main categories of protocol requirements
• - Pre-emergency planning and training
• - Communication
• - Cost recovery or fiscal reimbursement

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Protocol 1

• Protocols for requesting and providing immediate
  access to pesticide-specific information
  necessary to assist emergency medical services
  personnel in identifying pesticides that may be
  causing a pesticide drift exposure incident and
  appropriate treatments.
• This protocol is both planning and communication.
  Title 19 Sections 2723 and 2726 will be amended
  to include the requirements of this protocol.
• (Draft Guidance Document, Page 7)

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Protocol 2

• Protocols to delineate specific agency
  responsibilities and the process for responding
  to calls, notifying residents, and coordinating
  evacuation, if needed.
• Sections 2723 (Planning), 2725 (Training) and
  2726 (Communication) will be amended to
  accommodate this protocol.
• (Draft Guidance Document, Page 8)

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Protocol 3

• Protocols to establish emergency shelter
  procedures and locations to be used in the event
  evacuation is needed.
• This is a pre-emergency planning issue. Existing
  Section 2726 may need to be amended to
  specifically address this protocol.
• (Draft Guidance Document, Pages 8 9)

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Protocol 4

• Protocols to access services in all languages
  known to be spoken in the affected area in
  accordance with Section 11135 of the Government
  Code.
• This protocol is about communication. Title 19,
  Section 2726 will be amended to accommodate this
  requirement.
• (Draft Guidance Document, Pages 9 10)

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Protocol 5

• Protocols to ensure access to health care within
  24 hours of the exposure and up to a week after
  the exposure.
• This protocol is both planning and communication.
  Section 2724 will be amended to include this
  protocol.
• (Draft Guidance Document, Page 10)

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Protocol 6

• Protocols to notify medical providers regarding
  eligibility for reimbursement pursuant to Section
  12997.5.
• This protocol is a pre-emergency planning issue.
  Section 2723 will be amended to accommodate this
  protocol.
• (Draft Guidance Document, Page 10)

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Exercise Your Area Plan

• The onset of an emergency is a very poor time to
  find out what you are supposed to do.
• Evaluate your plans and procedures.
• Make sure that all information is current.
• Train all of the participants.
• Test and maintain emergency equipment.

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Where to go for More Information
OES Website www.oes.ca.gov OES HazMat
Staff line [phone] DPR Website
www.cdpr.ca.gov OEHHA Website
www.oehha.org Cal/EPA Website
www.calepa.ca.gov
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Contact Information
OES Moustafa Abou-Taleb 916-845-8791 Jack
Harrah 916-845-8759 DPR Scott
Paulsen 916-324-4036 OEHHA Robert
Schlag 916-323-2624 Cal/EPA Don
Johnson 916-322-8284