Reporting Pesticide Exposure 

If you think you have been exposed to pesticide drift from farm, municipal, or residential activities it is important that you report the incident immediately. If you smell or taste chemicals around pesticide spraying, you have most likely been exposed to pesticides.  Contrary to how pesticides are commonly used, the actual laws and regulations are clear: it is against the law for applicators to expose bystanders and private property to pesticide drift. Right to farm ordinances and pesticide use laws do not allow for exposure to bystanders.
 
Sonoma County's Agricultural Commissioner's office handles all pesticide drift incidents, their phone number is (707) 565-2371. You will likely also need to contact the Sonoma County Public Health Department to report the exposure and your side effects, their phone number is: (707) 565-4400. Common exposure symptoms are irritated respiratory passages, headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness, and skin rashes. 
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You can also contact Sonoma SASS (form below). We will help walk you through the process and advocate for your rights with the regulatory agencies. 

For more information see the Pesticide Drift Guide, EPA Guide to Pesticide Exposure Reporting, or the California Department of Pesticide Regulation's Guidelines for Reporting a Pesticide Exposure. It's very important to report pesticide exposures so so that regulators have data to support the creation of more protective rules. 

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CCR Title 3, Division 6

6614: Protection of Persons, Animals, and Property.  

(a) An applicator prior to and while applying a pesticide shall evaluate the equipment to be used, meteorological conditions, the property to be treated, and surrounding properties to determine the likelihood of harm or damage.

(b) Notwithstanding that substantial drift would be prevented, no pesticide application shall be made or continued when:

(1) There is a reasonable possibility of contamination of the bodies or clothing of persons not involved in the application process;

(2) There is a reasonable possibility of damage to nontarget crops, animals, or other public or private property; or

(3) There is a reasonable possibility of contamination of nontarget public or private property, including the creation of a health hazard, preventing normal use of such property. In determining a health hazard, the amount and toxicity of the pesticide, the type and uses of the property and related factors shall be considered.

6616. Consent to Apply.

No person shall directly discharge a pesticide onto a property without the consent of the owner or operator of the property.

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 11456 and 12976, Food and Agricultural Code.