THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT

Dr. Paul Song, Courage Campaign <info@couragecampaign.org

MAY 6, 2015

“This is one of the things that keeps me up at night.” -Seth B.C. Shonkoff, environmental health scientist at UC Davis(1)

These are the words of an environmental expert on the alarming news that billions of gallons of toxic oil-contaminated wastewater are being used to irrigate some of California’s crops -- crops that are sold across the nation.(2) And as a cancer doctor, I know exactly how he feels. We must stop this now!

Every year, the Big Oil giant Chevron sells back billions of gallons of recycled oil extraction wastewater to local farmers, who in the heart of a drought are desperate for water.(3) These farmers assume the water is passing health standards, but the government authorities and local water boards charged with overseeing this practice are relying on decades-old monitoring standards, which don’t even test for carcinogens or the chemicals being used in modern day oil production.(4)

Given my experience as a radiation oncologist, I know full well what these chemicals could do to the health of our communities, and this sends shivers down my spine.

For the safety of our loved ones, we can’t allow Chevron to poison our nation’s food. Join us to tell Governor Jerry Brown to stop Big Oil from poisoning our crops with toxic wastewater.

A recent scientific study by Water Defense showed that treated wastewater being sold to California farmers contained acetone, oil, and methylene chloride -- a known carcinogen -- as high as 56 parts per billion.(5) This is nearly FOUR TIMES the amount of methylene chloride found in a contaminated river after the 2013 ExxonMobil tar sands pipeline spill in Mayflower, Arkansas – a spill which was declared a federal disaster.(6)

Want to know what’s even scarier? More oil companies are seeking permits to begin similar programs. If we don’t stop this dangerous practice now, more and more of California’s crops – which make up more than half of the nation’s produce – could be contaminated with toxic wastewater. And who knows what this means for the health of our crops and our communities.(7)

stand with Courage Campaign and tell Governor Brown to protect the health of our communities by immediately halting this practice until rigorous testing can be done.

Thank you for having the courage to stand up to Big Oil and protect the health of our communities,

Paul, along with Annie, Eddie, Emma, Laura, Lindsay, Scottie, and Tim (the Courage team)

1.http://act.couragecampaign.org/go/1597?t=5&akid=1733.1552627.C-9K5l
2.http://act.couragecampaign.org/go/1598?t=7&akid=1733.1552627.C-9K5l
3.http://act.couragecampaign.org/go/1597?t=9&akid=1733.1552627.C-9K5l
4.http://act.couragecampaign.org/go/1597?t=11&akid=1733.1552627.C-9K5l
5.http://act.couragecampaign.org/go/1599?t=13&akid=1733.1552627.C-9K5l
6.http://act.couragecampaign.org/go/1597?t=15&akid=1733.1552627.C-9K5l
7.http://act.couragecampaign.org/go/1597?t=17&akid=1733.1552627.C-9K5l