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Commission adopts 2019 reduced‑risk pesticide list with worker‑safety changes
Summary
The Commission approved annual revisions to the city's reduced‑risk pesticide list, removing a higher‑risk Roundup formulation, phasing out certain second‑generation rodenticides and adding lower‑risk alternatives and worker‑safety clarifications.
The San Francisco Commission on the Environment voted Sept. 24 to adopt the 2019 revised reduced‑risk pesticide list that narrows allowable chemical use and strengthens worker‑safety requirements.
Dr. Chris Geiger, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program Manager, presented the IPM program’s annual review. Geiger said the program emphasizes prevention, training and minimizing pesticide use. Notable changes in the proposed list included removing one Roundup product (Roundup ProMax) because it posed greater worker‑health hazards than an alternative Roundup formulation that remains on the list; phasing out second‑generation rodenticides previously used in sewers and at the airport; and adding a lower‑risk substitute for Garlon and other administrative clarifications.
Geiger described training and prevention work across city departments and said the IPM program won a $160,000 grant from the Department of Pesticide Regulation to install pest‑prevention measures in affordable housing. He told commissioners that tier‑1 high‑hazard herbicide use in city parks declined from 60 active‑ingredient gallons in 2010 to about 1.4 gallons in 2018.
Commissioners discussed worker safety and the inclusion of single‑room‑occupancy (SRO) housing in multifamily prioritization questions. Commissioner Ahn thanked staff for focusing on worker safety; the policy committee had previously considered these issues in depth.
Motion to approve the resolution (file 2019‑07‑COE) was moved by Commissioner Stevenson, seconded by Commissioner Ahn, and passed by voice vote with no recorded dissent.
