On the steps of the Capitol, farm workers, environmentalists and health leaders called on the state to phase out soil fumigants used most heavily in strawberry production.

They say fumigants have a wide range of health effects, are highly volatile, and drift from where they are applied. Martha Arguello is with Physicians for Social Responsibility.

ARGUELLO:"Acute poisoning can cause eye irritation sore throats headaches vomiting, breathing difficulties, aggravated asthma and neurological effects such as convulsions dizziness and tremors."

But at a legislative oversight hearing on the issue, strawberry grower Rod Koda says alternatives to fumigants are expensive.

KODA: "Fumigation is ranging anywhere between $2,000 and $4,000, some of the alternatives are ranging between $10,000 and $17,000 per acre."