To the Clovis Unified School District Superintendent and Governing School Board,

Concerned parents in Clovis, CA are writing to request that the Clovis Unified School District put an immediate ban on glyphosate-based herbicides, including all Proposition 65 pesticides and other herbicides that cause harm to human health and the environment. Our children’s health is our priority. It is time to seek non-toxic alternatives. 

In September of 2019, parents from several Clovis Elementary schools observed the posted warning signs for the campus-wide use of RoundUp Quick-Pro. According to the CUSD Handbook of 2019-2020, RoundUp Quick Pro is listed as an approved herbicide for campus-wide treatment (Monsanto product # 524-535. The active ingredient is 73.3% glyphosate). 

Glyphosate has been designated as a probable human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an arm of the World Health Organization. Children are highly susceptible to disruptive chemicals in our environment. Studies have demonstrated a compelling link between exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides and cancer (notably Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma). Mechanistic studies point to a plausible link between glyphosate and the disruption of gut microbiome, immunosuppression/inflammation, endocrine disruption, genetic alterations, and oxidative stress. (Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1383574218300887 

Numerous countries, counties, and cities throughout the world have taken steps to either restrict or ban glyphosate. Unfortunately, despite the IARC’s 2015 conclusion that glyphosate is a probable human carcinogen, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans. As such, glyphosate is not banned by the U.S. government; Roundup and other glyphosate-based herbicides are readily available for purchase throughout the country.

Currently, Monsanto (acquired by Bayer) is facing over 42,700 lawsuits where individuals claim that the herbicide caused their blood cancer. https://usrtk.org/monsanto-papers/ and https://www.consumersafety.org/product-lawsuits/roundup/

It is time for CUSD to take the lead when it comes to protecting our children’s health. It is time for a district-wide ban on glyphosate based herbicides. We are urging the CUSD to seek alternative weed control products and methods to protect the health of our children.