Orange County residents say weed-killing chemical sprayed near homes is making them sick

Residents in Aliso Viejo are speaking out against local officials, saying the herbicides being sprayed in their neighborhoods are making them sick.

Locals said they’ve been complaining about the chemicals for months, however, the Aliso Viejo Community Association claims there’s nothing to worry about.

Carolyn McCuan, an Aliso Viejo resident, said the chemicals have caused her to suffer a variety of symptoms.

“I had headaches, rashes on my face and arms, chronic fatigue,” said McCuan.

McCuan is part of a Toxic-Free OC, a group of Aliso Viejo residents who aim to stop the chemical’s continued use in the city. The group is greatly concerned about the chemical’s lasting health effects on locals.

The herbicide, called Cheetah Pro, was recently sprayed at Canyon View Park which is located behind McCuan’s home.

Cheetah Pro, which contains glufosinate, carries health warnings similar to Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbicide at the center of more than 100,000 lawsuits nationwide resulting in at least $11 billion in payouts to cancer patients, the Orange County Register reports.

“I actually had a toxins test done and it was very clear the herbicides were extremely high in my system and was causing my illness,” McCuan said.

The test results showed that McCuan had a concentration of glyphosate in her urine that was 18 times greater than 95% of women her age.

The Aliso Viejo Community Association landscapes and maintains hundreds of acres of public parks and green spaces in the city where Cheetah Pro is likely used.

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Concerned residents believe they have been unknowingly inhaling the toxic chemical for months.

“The landscaper’s workmen were actually spraying the herbicide right up to my fence,” said Melissa Christian, a resident.

Christian said she and her dog had both gotten sick from exposure to toxic fumes during their daily walks at a local park. She believes there are better, non-toxic ways to remove weeds.

“They can pull the weeds out, they can use organics,” Christian said. “I mean, we all know that there are other things available but they just won’t consider it.”

The community association maintains that the spraying procedures are conducted according to state and federal guidelines.

In a statement obtained by the O.C. Register, Aliso Viejo Community Association officials said:

“AVCA has at all times met or exceeded all applicable state and federal laws for pesticide use. AVCA’s board and staff have collectively spent thousands of hours studying this topic and working with expert consultants to find alternatives that are effective, legal, safe and affordable.”

However, local residents remain concerned and frustrated and are asking the city to consider alternative solutions.

“Why does anybody else’s child, dog, adult, anybody have to go through this thing?” said a resident who did not wish to be identified.

“The risk outweighs the benefits,” McCuan said. “We just need to stop. It’s 2024, let’s do better.”

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