I. Current State

We are all currently living under conditions of danger from toxic products that are eroding our health. The industrialized world is experiencing chemical assault and injury at epidemic proportions. Petroleum hydro- carbon chemicals, which are invasive to the natural biological chemistry of the life design, are basically at cause. World production of toxic products are at an all time high of 80 billion pounds per minute. In 1991, approximately 306 million tons of hazardous waste were generated in the U.S. In addition approximately 3.2 billion pounds of toxic chemicals were released into the environment.1 In 1995, there were 211.8 million pounds of pesticide active ingredients reported used in California - 1,756,102 pounds of that in Santa Cruz County.2 Yet often less than.1% of pesticides applied to crops actually reached targeted pests. This adversely affects the fish, the birds, the animals, and human beings. California has more chemical manufacturing plants than any other state - about 1,425, representing more than 10% of the nation's total.

The Toxic Substances Control Act was passed by Congress in 1976, which gave government the job of 'managing the risks' of the approximately 70,000 chemicals now in use. The National Toxicology Program (NTT) is a consortium of eight federal agencies that study only the cancer effects of chemicals, and manages to test only a couple dozen new chemicals each year. During a typical year, while the NTT' is studying the cancer effects of one or two dozen chemicals, about 1,000 new chemicals enter commercial markets. Our federal government simply cannot keep up. Additional safeguards put in place since that time have been compromised in their effectiveness.

The average American Household generates 15 pounds of hazardous waste per year. Homeowners who toss chemicals down their septic systems create a widespread problem.3 Organic chemicals pass through the septic systems and. drain fields into soils and eventually the ground water. In 1984 the EPA study found that "of all ground water pollution sources, septic-tank systems, cesspools, rank highest in total volume of waste water discharged directly into soils overlying ground water, and they are the most frequently reported sources of contamination."4

Many pesticides widely used for home pest control are known or suspected to cause cancer, birth defects, reproductive, genetic, and brain damage in laboratory animals. The consumer has no way of knowing about these chronic effects, since the law does not require this information to be on the label. The EPA regulates home pesticides based only on acute poisoning. There are no regulations based on potential long-term or chronic effects.5

Caltrans is the largest single user of pesticides in California and sprays over 800,000 pounds and over 400,000 gallons of herbicides each year. Caltrans does not give advance notice of its spray activities, post warning signs after spraying, or act to keep people out of newly sprayed areas. In 1989-90, 36 different pesticides were used - some that break down red blood cells, cause skeletal abnormalities, interfere with testes ability, and damage the central nervous system. Six pesticides used are suspected of causing cancer, according to the EPA. Further, none of the 16 pesticide manufacturers is required to provide adequate studies of the long term health effects of their products have complied with the laws. Since approximately the same pesticides are still being used today, the public and Caltrans workers are being exposed to these pesticides without knowledge of the long-term consequences.6

There are approximately nine Santa Cruz area schools located in agricultural zones that are at risk, and some would say in crisis, from exposure to synthetic toxic pesticides, including methyl bromide. Students and staff are exhibiting sickness, including respiratory problems, cancer, and other health effects which are suspected to be caused by petrochemical products. Despite appeals at every level of agriculture, government, and environmental protection agencies, the problem persists.7

Under the federal Clean Air Act, methyl bromide (used to kill pests on about 100 crops and to kill termites in buildings) is scheduled to be banned nationwide by 2001, however for the second time in four years, it has been approved for continued use in California. Sustainable agriculture groups are researching and promoting safe alternatives.

There is a regulatory mechanism requiring any business that has 'acutely hazardous materials" (i.e. substances that can cause off-site effects) to file a Risk Management Plan (RMP). Environmental Health Services sent out notices to all businesses in July of 1996 that enforcement will take place by July of 1998. Since RMP's are costly, many businesses have already sought less toxic alternatives.

At present, most Santa Cruz area citizens are being exposed to chlorinated drinking water through water treatment processes. Chlorine metabolizes to dioxin. The EPA released a new report supporting that dioxin is far more toxic than had been previously assessed, and that people are carrying dose levels in their fatty tissues beyond what is assumed to be safe. In addition, Santa Cruz Regional Waste Water Treatment Plant uses about 1,600 pounds of chlorine per day to adequately disinfect and control odor. Though most is consumed in the process, a small amount does reach the Pacific each day, exposing people and the marine environment to the burden of invasive and inimical (hostile) chemicals. During the latter part of 1997 Santa Cruz City will be changing the disinfection process for treatment of waste water from using chlorine to using ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet process is effective in this application and will also eliminate the safety risks associated with the handling and storage of chlorine.

Water quality in the Monterey Bay is generally good with very little industrial discharge. It should be noted that periodically throughout the Bay we have had unexplained marine animal deaths, including sea birds & fish, though it is difficult to determine the exact cause. In 1994 testing of shoreline water conducted on a weekly and monthly basis, in Santa Cruz County required 27 closings & advisories due to high levels of coliform (from animal & human waste), primarily attributed to urban runoff. Polluted storm-water runoff from cities and rural areas is now considered by the U.S.EPA to be the biggest overall threat to our nation's water quality. Cities under 100,000 are exempt from stipulations of the Clean Water Act.

Local non-point source pollution includes run-off from: septic systems, agricultural lands, streets and highways which carry hydrocarbons and brake lining matter, and small businesses that work outdoors. The Cities of Santa Cruz & Monterey, The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Coastal Commission, and AMBAG have formed a partnership to develop an Urban Runoff /Storm Water Quality Model Program for small cities. Santa Cruz and Monterey will implement components of the model program to improve urban runoff water quality and provide educational opportunities, funded by a Clean Water Act grant and local sources.

According to several sources in the county, there are additional toxic hazards impacting the ocean and ground water that need to be addressed.8 A partial list includes:

• Santa Cruz County landfill may still be leaching a highly toxic admixture of chemical compounds into the ground water and possibly the ocean; a section of it was recently closed down and capped off.
• Ag. pollution (e.g. nitrates) in rivers and sloughs, and even traces of DDT have surfaced in some, watersheds.

II. Desired State

Clearly our ultimate communal vision is to live in a bio-safe world - free of synthetic toxic products in the home, workplace, public places, or in the natural environment. In order to secure the health and well being of our community, we envision the eventual halt in production of toxic products and the end of all technologies which are inherently toxic. Education of all public officials, health professionals, industry and agricultural leaders, as well as the general public in the use of safe alternatives is required in order to create a "Toxic Free Santa Cruz."

III. Goals For Year 2000

A. Continue to cut the production of hazardous waste by substituting less-toxic alternatives, by recycling toxic industrial chemicals, and by treating wastes before disposal to make them less toxic. [See Section TV, Env"l. Health Services]

B. Through education of less toxic alternatives, further reduce the consumption of hazardous materials, including pesticides. (This is hard to measure except by what products are being sold in retail stores.)

C. Put in place a system of "technical transfer" regarding alternatives to toxics.

D. Establish buffer zones to protect people from pesticide drift and phase out aerial spraying.

E. Ban the pesticides shown to be the worst health/environmental hazards and reduce the use of others. (i.e. Ban U.S. EPA Category 1, Calif. Prop. 65, and known or suspected endocrine disrupters, neurotoxins, and carcinogens.)

F. Eliminate all production and emissions of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone depleting chemicals.

G. Increase participation of residents who use the Household Hazardous Waste Facility by 10%. Halt illegal discharges (e.g. antifreeze, motor oil) to storm drains.

H. Clean up and closure of 50% of existing abandoned underground storage tanks & contamination sites.

I. Continue to clean up all other contaminated sites to acceptable levels.

J. Housekeeping services for Santa Cruz City, Watsonville, Scotts Valley, Capitola, and the County of Santa Cruz use non-toxic products to maintain cleanliness of government buildings and sites in their jurisdiction', as an example to the populace.

K. Increase dissemination of existing alternatives and models [See Sections V & VI].

IV. What Has Been Done

A. In 1984, before there was a state law, Santa Cruz County passed an ordinance (Chapter 7.100) to regulate hazardous materials for all businesses at thresholds lower than the state had established. This is enforced by Environmental Health Services (EHS) in the cities of Santa Cruz, Capitola, and the unincorporated areas of the county.

• Annual inspections of these businesses has provided EHS personnel with the opportunity to educate the local business community regarding the ever-changing environmental regulations.
• The willingness on the part of the vast majority of the local business community to act on the information provided and properly manage their hazardous materials and hazardous waste has significantly reduced the number of spills and reports of mishandling.
• The data collected from businesses regarding hazardous materials usage, and verified during regular inspections, has provided a data base available to first responders for the protection of these personnel and the community.

B. The state of California has set a deadline of December 22, 1998 for owners of underground storage tanks to meet very stringent upgrade standards. EHS has been very active at holding workshops to assist tank owners in complying with these requirements and will be the local agency responsible for ensuring that the requirements are met.

C. California Legislature passed a law which requires all cities to divert 50% of their solid waste from landfill disposal by year 2000. This incentive also encourages proper handling of hazardous waste rather than dumping. [See Resources & Recycling chapter for more details.] All cities in Santa Cruz County have met the 25% diversion goal for 1995 and are in the process of improving recycling and developing new programs to meet the 50% diversion goal for 2000.

D. Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) Capture System for refrigerators is in place at all landfills.

E. The Master Gardeners Program educates people to use less toxic gardening practices. [See Ag. chptr., Sect.VlJ Santa Cruz County also has a program to promote less toxic household products.

F. Santa Cruz City and County contract with Ecology Action to work on educating the public regarding which items can be recycled and how to dispose of certain toxic substances (e.g. motor oil, batteries, oil filters, and antifreeze) and maintains a Household Hazardous Waste info-Line @ 454-2606 (toll free).

G. Participation of residents utilizing the Household Hazardous Waste facility has increased to 7%. (Normal participation in such a facility is 1 - 5%)

H. Curbside collection motor oil and oil filters along with other recyclable in collection areas. [See Resources /Recycling chapter for more detail.]

I. Santa Cruz City contracts with McCarthy Family Farms to have about 10,000 tons per year of city waste (treated sludge) converted to "biosolids" to be used as agricultural fertilizer. The quantity will increase when secondary wastewater treatment comes on line at the end of the year.

J. Local groups are working on education regarding water quality, which includes monitoring in some areas. (e.g. Monterey Salmon and Trout Project, Save Our Shore's Bay Watch, Friends of the River, County Planning has restoration projects, K-12 River Project, the new Urban Runoff model program, and others) [Also see Biodiversity/Ecosystem. Management chapter.]

K. Save Our Shores runs a Oil Pad Dispense & Disposal program - working with all three harbors within the Monterey Bay Sanctuary 'to educate boaters regarding the impacts of oil in the ocean and providing free pads to soak up the oil from their bilge water. [See Biodiversity/ Ecosystem Mgmt. chapter for more SOS programs.]

L. In 1986 Congress passed the Community Right to Know Act, which relates to industrial pollutants; more than ten years later only 600 of the 70,000 chemicals on the market are tracked by the Act. CALPIRG spearheads an ongoing campaign to expand the public's right to know about what toxics are being used in the community.

M. The Committee For Universal Security has put forth a "Zero Tolerance Toxic Campaign" and continues to educate the public regarding hazardous synthetic toxic chemicals & their effects on people, animals & plants.

N. Farm Without Harm & RAPP's Strawberry Taskforce canvassed door to door warning neighbors of the dangers of methyl bromide and chloropicrin, covering 5,000 homes during the months of August - November, 1996.

O. Storm Drain Stencil Programs have occurred in all SCC cities. Santa Cruz City Public Works Department coordinated a volunteer effort by the Surfrider Foundation that stenciled all City storm drains with annual efforts to renew markings, and in '93 volunteers in Watsonville went door to door with free disposal alternatives information.

V. Suggested Actions for Further Progress

A. Appeal to the county and city governments to use less toxic products internally and publicize that they are doing so. Provide and/or update a list of alternative products.

B. Form local protective agencies and coalitions to push forward with a conscious campaign to free the county of toxic technology in public places, buildings, recreational facilities, streets, parks and schools.

C. Lobby government officials to create bio-safe zones within and around ail schools.

D. Require owners of underground storage tanks (UST) who are not in compliance must come up to code. The county of Santa Cruz Environmental Health Services tracks and permits UST. By Dec., '98, all USTs must meet very strict standards.

E. Map toxic hot spots. Continue to conduct extensive testing in potentially hazardous industrial areas. Check out the Web data base: "http://www.mapcruzin.com"

F. Improve monitoring and control of leachate and surface runoffs from area landfills.

G. In areas where chlorine is used, lobby for appropriate, bio-safe options for drinking water, wastewater treatment, swimming pools, cleaning chemicals in public buildings, etc. As noted in Section I, the City of Santa Cruz Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant is installing an ultraviolet disinfection system that will eliminate the need for treating the wastewater with chlorine except in emergency situations. This facility should be used as a model. We need to also keep current with developments in the treatment technology for drinking water and apply them accordingly. The American Waterworks Association (303/794-7711) serves as a clearinghouse for ongoing research and developments in water treatment technology.

H. Urge the pulp and paper industry to use a chlorine-free process.

I. Distribute information on non-toxic and less toxic products to environmental groups that are involved with water quality.

J. Enhance public education efforts:

1. Establish educational displays in public places with critical information regarding toxics, proper disposal., and safer alternatives.
2. Expand school programs regarding hazardous waste. Environmental Health Services does make school presentations in English and Spanish.
3. Through public education and workshops, encourage households, government, and business to use less toxic alternatives (non-toxic where possible) in the home, workplace, as well as public places, and encourage proper disposal of toxins by utilizing the Household Hazardous Waste Facility. (e.g. workshops for house and general cleaning)
4. Support ongoing, well-publicized public forums for citizens to learn what the various environmental groups are already working on. A complete listing could also be published in a local newspaper or magazine periodically along with informative articles. Open the scope of opportunities, so people can become involved.

K. Use Coordinated Resource Management Plans (CRMPS) to help farmers & other property owners reduce soil erosion and application of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. [Also see Biod./Ecosystern Mgm't chptr.]

L. Encourage specialty programs that target the collection of a single item such as paint, motor oil, or batteries. These programs have proven to be very successful especially when combined with a well publicized annual collection day.

M. Put pressure on Caltrans to use non-chemical weed control in Santa Cruz County. (e.g. Mendocino County has successfully used non-chemical weed control for over 15 years, and Caltrans has stopped spraying toxic pesticides to control roadside vegetation as of March 10,'97.) 9

N. Develop a Sustainable Business Program for Santa Cruz County, similar to Sonoma's Green Business Program. This is a market driven approach that signals the consumer which small business is in environmental compliance; the consumers then votes with their dollars. Work with the SCC Hazardous Materials Advisory Commission and the Environmental Health Service to develop a similar program.

O. Research existing models and bring these ideas to the decision makers in this community:

1. Arcata's natural sewage treatment plant which doubles as a salt marsh recreation site, Wetland services can be a low-cost, low-technology alternative to sewage plants.10
2. Santa Monica's "Sustainable City Program" and Toxics Use Reduction (TUR) program.11
3. San Francisco City passed an ordinance in Oct. of '96 immediately banning all US EPA Category I pesticides, Prop. 65 pesticides, & any U.S.EPA-tested pesticides known as probable or possible carcinogen + requiring pre-notification by 4 days of any pesticide use. It requires that the City hire experts to work with departments to create integrated pest management plans. Further, all pesticide use will be banned by the year 2000 with some exemptions.

P. Promote viable & safe alternatives to toxic pesticides. (esp. Methyl Bromide in strawberry production)

Q. Research strategy to end aerial spraying and establish buffer zones to protect people from pesticide drift.

R. Promote beneficial insectaries & protection of bats as a means of controlling pests.

VI. Useful Resources & References

• California Communities Against Toxics - a coalition of community groups working on a variety of different toxics issues, especially pollution prevention & environmental justice; (805) 256-0968, Jane Williams, Dir.
• California Department of Pesticide Regulation, 1020 N. St., Sacramento, CA 95814, Tel: (916) 445-4110.
• California EPA, Dept. of Toxic Substances Control, Region 2, (510) 540-3964 or Matt McCarron (510) 540-3739; 700 Hines Ave., Bldg. F., Berkeley, CA 94710; Toxics Hotline: 800-69TOXIC; 800-852-7550 for spills. (Toxic release inventory is registered with the EPA.)
• Office of Pollution Prevention and Technology Development, Technology Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 806, Sacramento, CA 95812-0806. Tel: (916) 32 2-3670 or 324-1826 (A publications list may be requested).
• California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG), UCSC, Student Center, Box 6, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, Tel: (408) 459-4649 (a watchdog student run non-profit org. working on a variety of environmental issues).
• City of Santa Cruz, Public Works Dept., 809 Center St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060-3864; Tel: (408) 429-3614, Bob Nelson, Supt. of Waste Disposal or Chris Schneiter, Asnt. Dir.
• County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency, Environmental Health Services, 701 Ocean St., Rm. 312, Santa Cruz, CA 95060; (408 ) 454-2022; Steven Schneider, Hazardous Materials Program Mgr.
• The Committee for Universal Security, 1095-A Smith Grade Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95060, Tel: (408) 429-9623, Dr. Rev. Benet Luchion (guides a "Zero Tolerance Toxic Campaign").
• Environmental Health Services, 701 Ocean St., Rm. 312, Santa Cruz, CA 95060; Tel: (408) 454-2022; Steven Schneider, Hazardous Materials Program Mgr..
• Farm Without Harm - a community action group educating our community and schools about the dangers of pesticides. Contact: Karen Light, P.O. Box 1487, Castroville, CA 95012; (408) 633-8749.
• Master Gardener Program, 1432 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, CA 95076-2796; Tel: (408) 763-8040 or 454-2460; Fax: (408) 763-8006.
• Pesticide Watch, 116 New Montgomery St., Ste. 530, San Francisco, CA 94105; Tel: (415) 543-2627,Fax: 543-1480; Email: pestiwatch@igc.ap.org
• Public Participation Department, Toxic Substances Control, Marcia Murphy, (916) 324-8295.
• Regional Alliance for Progressive Policy (RAPP), P.O. Box 536, Marina, CA 93933; Tel: (408) 626-0301.
• Santa Cruz County Hazardous Waste Program - serving all residents of Santa Cruz County with HHW Facilities at: Buena Vista Landfill, Watsonville or Ben Lomond Transfer Station; Tel: (408) 454-2606 (toll-free) or 763-8018. (Jeanne Bordreau, Solid Waste Inspector; Brian Kennedy, Env. Programs Coordinator).
• Santa Cruz County Public Works, 701 Ocean St. Rm 410, Santa Cruz, CA 95060; Tel: (408) 454-2160, Patrick Mathews. (NOTE: For all other Public Works Departments, see Resources & Recycling Chapter.)

Documentation Sources

1. "Strategy for Hazardous Waste Minimization and Combustion," EPA, Nov., 1994.

2. California Department of Pesticide Regulation, Sacramento, CA (916) 445-4110.

3. "Agenda for the Green Decade: Global Environmental Action Goals," Global Action Plan and organizers of Earth Day, April, 1990,

4. "Minimizing Household Hazardous Waste," Garbage Magazine, March/April, 1990.

5. "Consumer Pesticide Safety Series #1"- Pesticide Education Center, Tel: (415) 391-8511; Fax: 391-9159; P.O. Box 420870, San Francisco, CA 94142-0870; Email pec@pesticides.org; http:// www.pesticides.org /pesticides.

6. "Pesticide Watch Toxic Highways Factsheet" Pesticide Watch, Tel: (415) 543-2627; 116 New Montgomery St., Ste. 530, San Francisco, CA 94105; Also contact Greg Krouse, (707) 937-1140 or Bruce Hering, (707) 895-3589; and CAT'S Californians for Alternatives for Toxics, Pattie Clary, (707) 822-8497.

7. Source: Committee for Universal Security - Zero Tolerance Toxic Campaign & Farm Without Harm (See Section VI above for contact info.).

8. Committee for Universal Security - Zero Tolerance Toxic Campaign, Watsonville Wetlands Watch, Farm Without Harm, and County Watershed Manager Dave Hope (See Section VI above for contact info.)

9. "Pesticide Watch Toxic Highways Factsheet" (see above)

10.Taylor DeLaney, "Downstream Flood Attenuation & Water Quality as a Result of Constructed Wetlands," Journal of Soil & Water Conservation, Sept-Dec, '95.

11."City of Santa Monica Sustainable City Program" and "Santa Monica Creating a Vision for a Future," Sept., 1994. Contact Brian Johnson, (310) 458-8227.

* Consultations with various departments of local municipalities, conducted by Jeanne Bordreau, Solid Waste Inspector, County of Santa Cruz and Jeanne Nordland.

Contributors: Jeanne Bordreau, Alisa Kaus, Dr. Rev. Benet Luchion, Daliya Robson, Vasiliki Vassil, Ted Smith, Marilyn Johnson, Anna Marie Stenberg, Susan Brechenberry, Kim Notley, Michael Cronin, Crys-Vad Hyphus, Dr. Nora Wilson, Joe Grossman, Paul Gaylon, Judy Moore, Pat Arnold, Karen Light, Marilyn Garrett, Jerry Busch, Chris Johnson-Lyons, Steven Schneider, Chris Schneiter, & Dave Hope. (Compiled and edited by: Jeanne Nordland)