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In This Issue
California has taken steps to identify 2, 4-D as “known to the State to cause reproductive toxicity.” The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has added 2,4-D and related compounds to the list of toxicants under the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act. The act is more commonly known as Proposition 65. This law requires warnings to be posted for consumers where they purchase products that are on the list. An example of a recent controversial chemical that is being considered for the list is acrylamide which is a chemical commonly found in French fries and many other foods. An article in the August edition of the International Journal of Cancer suggested there may be a link between acrylamide and breast cancer. More information about the listing of 2,4-D is available at http://www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/CRNR_notices/admin_listing/intent_to_list/NOILPkg5e.html (Sources: EPA Office of Pesticide Programs, December 28, 2005 via Pesticide Action Network and the Los Angeles Times, December 19, 2005)
Washington Decides Against Advanced Notice The Washington Department of Agriculture decided against a proposed rule that would have required growers using pesticides to give 48 hours advanced notice before spraying. The notice would have been required to nursing homes, schools, hospitals and state-licensed adult or child day-care centers within one-half mile radius and only for Category 1 pesticides. The department stated that current laws prohibiting pesticide residue from drifting were sufficient and appropriate. Grower groups stated existing laws were enough to regulate spray drift. Farm-worker advocacy groups stated the rule needed to be expanded beyond what was proposed. (Source: Yakima Herald-Republic, December 31, 2005) Pyrethroids Found in Urban Streams A new study found pyrethroids in urban streams in California that were at levels toxic to amphipods, which are tiny, shrimp-like animals. The study was done by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and Southern Illinois University. The study will be published in the December print edition of Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T). Previous studies focused on streams in more agricultural areas. This study looked at streams in a large, residential community north of Sacramento, Calif. The study looked specifically at the levels of pyrethroids in the stream sediment. The abstract of the study is available at: Wood-Destorying Insect Inspection Training March 9 will be the next training session for inspectors wanting to become licensed for wood-destroying insect inspections. Ohio regulation requires a license for anyone performing insect inspections as part of a real estate transaction. The license requires the inspectors to attend a mandatory five-hour training session and take a test. Anyone interested in attending the training can go to the Pesticide Education Program website at http://pested.osu.edu to register. If there are any questions, they can call the program at (614) 292-4070. The class will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The registration, which includes lunch, is $90 if pre-registered and $100 at the door. Ohio State University Extension Educators who would like to learn more about inspecting structures for insect damage can attend the training at the discounted rate of $25. Call (614) 292-4070 for more information. Commercial New Applicator Training Commercial applicators can attend training designed to help them prepare for the licensing exam. The training will be held on March 16 at the Ohio Department of Agriculture in Reynoldsburg. The morning session will begin at 9:00 a.m. and focus on the core exam. Applicators have their choice in the afternoon of a session for the turf category or the industrial vegetation category. Exams will be offered immediately following the afternoon sessions. For more information, visit http://pested.osu.edu Ohio Commercial Recertification Schools Field Crop Conferences (agronomic pest control) Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection Commercial New Applicator School ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OSU Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, age, gender identity or expression, disability, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or veteran status. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Director, OSU Extension TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868
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Pesticide Education Program • Ohio State University Extension |