PEP-Talk, February, 2006

Pesticide Education Program
Ohio State University Extension
Joanne Kick-Raack, State Coordinator
Cindy Folck, Communications
Vol. 10, Issue 2

In This Issue

• Progess of FQPA
• Human Studies Dosing Research
• Upcoming Trainings
• Drift Reduction Technology
• Pesticide Crop Watch
• Upcoming Events

Progess of FQPA

The 1996 Food Quality and Protection Act (FQPA) has required EPA to review all pesticides every 15 years, including ones have been registered in the past and are still being used by applicators. Reregistration Eligibility Decisions (REDs) are then published for each reviewed pesticide, outlining the risk mitigation measures and any changes to the pesticide’s uses, crops, label, etc. Organophosphates and carbamates were the first group of pesticides targeted under FQPA.

As 2005 ended, a number of risk assessments and REDs (final step of review) were published as part of the extensive reregistration process under FQPA. Some of the remaining organophosphates and carbamates are being reviewed and risk mitigation measures put into place. An example of risk mitigation is when diazinon, an insecticide that was used in lawn and landscapes, was phased out of the consumer market and only made available in agricultural settings.

Below is an overview of items that were published in December. To access the EPA website for more information about pesticides in the review process, or pesticides previously reviewed, go to http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/rereg/status.cfm?show=rereg

Synthetic Pyrethroids
EPA has begun to review the synthetic pyrethroids – another significant group of insecticides. Some of the pyrethroids have been the primary replacements for organophosphates and carbamate insecticides. In December, the risk assessment was released for cypermethrin.

Fungicides
An important group of fungicides called the EBDC’s (mancozeb, maneb and metiram) have been reviewed by EPA and the REDs were published in December. The RED for ferbam, a thiocarbamate fungicide, was also published.

Phenoxy Herbicides
Also, the phenoxy herbicides are being reviewed as part of FQPA. 2,4-D previously made it through the reregistration process with a RED. In December, a risk assessment was released for Dicamba.

Other Pesticides
The risk assessment for metaldehyde, a molluscides used for slugs, was released in December.

Human Studies Dosing Research

U.S. EPA announced rules that prohibit third-party intentional dosing research involving children and pregnant women for pesticides that will be submitted to EPA for registration. Additionally, the rules established guidelines for researchers with adult volunteers who participate in third-party intentional dosing research. More information is available at http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/guidance/human-test.htm (Source: EPA Office of Pesticide Programs, Jan. 27, 2006)

SECTION 18 PROCESS STREAMLINED
Section 18 of FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act) provides for emergency exemptions for local needs. The exemption allows products to be used for a specified crop or need that is not on the regular label. The exemptions are allowed for only a short period of time in a specified location.

New rules will enable EPA to assess the pest-related emergency situation and make a timely decision that will not result in unreasonable risks to human health or the environment. The federal register notice regarding the new rules is available at: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/January/Day-27/p743.htm

Upcoming Trainings

March 9 – Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection Training
This training is for inspectors wanting to become licensed for wood-destroying insect inspections. Ohio regulation requires a license for anyone performing wood-destroying 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. More information is available at http://pested.osu.edu

March 16 – Commercial New Applicator Training
Commercial applicators can attend training designed to help them prepare for the licensing exam. Categories covered will be core, turf and industrial vegetation. For more information, visit http://pested.osu.edu

Drift Reduction Technology

U.S. EPA is spearheading a project that will look at technologies to reduce drift. The objective of the project is to verify practices and equipment that reduce drift and promote these to pesticide applicators.

EPA has formed a committee with other governmental agencies, industry and academic to develop a protocol that is scientifically sound to evaluate drift reduction technology performance for off-target drift. EPA plans to use the information to quantitatively credit drift reduction technology in risk assessments for pesticides and on product labels. The project is one of a number of environmental projects under EPA’s Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) program. More information about the ETV is available at http://www.epa.gov/etv and http://www.epa.gov/etv/este.html

Pesticide Crop Watch

Fungicdies
Iodomethane – this non-food use pesticide is a pre-plant soil fumigant for peppers, strawberries and tomatoes and has been suggested as a partial replacement for methyl bromide. EPA has completed the human health risk assessment which is now available for public comment. More information is available at: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/January/Day-06/p26.htm Public comments must be sent by February 6.

Upcoming Events

Ohio Commercial Recertification Schools
General Schools (turf, ornamental, industrial vegetation and pest control)
Dayton – February 2, 2006
Columbus – February 23, 2006

Field Crop Conferences (agronomic pest control)
Columbus – February 8, 2006

Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection
March 9, 2006
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Taught at ODA in Reynoldsburg

Commercial New Applicator School
March 16, 2006
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Taught at ODA in Reynoldsburg

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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