Today, the EPA entered in an agreement with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) to resolve a civil rights complaints filed on behalf of Latino school children in 1999. 

The Office of Civil Rights’ extensive analysis of pesticide use in California from 1995-2001, raised concerns that there was an adverse and negative impact on Latino children resulting from the use of methyl bromide, a key component in pesticides.  This concern was based on the high percentage of Latino children in schools near fields where pesticide containing methyl bromide was applied.  EPA communicated its concern to CDPR in 2011.

As part of the agreement CDPR has agreed to monitor levels of methyl bromide near the schools in the original complaint.  Since 2001, the EPA and the State of California have implemented stringent regulations that deal with methyl bromide exposure levels throughout the entire state. 

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibits intentional discrimination on the base of race, color, and national origin.