PEP-Talk, May, 2006

Pesticide Education Program
Ohio State University Extension
Joanne Kick-Raack, State Coordinator
Cindy Folck, Communications
Vol. 10, Issue 5

In This Issue

• USGS Releases Report about Pesticides
• Maine Considers Regulations for Indoor Pest Control
• Using Pesticides with Bee Advisory
• Keep Household Chemicals Away from Kids
• Pesticide Crop Watch
• Upcoming Events

USGS Releases Report about Pesticides

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released a report documenting pesticides in streams and groundwater across the U.S. The report is based on monitoring data collected from 1992-2001. The data included groundwater sites as well as streams in urban and agricultural areas.

Overall, the report found that pesticides are found in urban and agricultural streams throughout the year and are less common in groundwater. The levels of pesticides found were seldom at concentrations likely to affect human health. The report does raise concern about levels of pesticides that may affect aquatic life or fish-eating wildlife.

The most common pesticides found in streams in urban areas were diazinon, chlorpyrifos and malathion. However, since 2001 many urban uses of diazinon and chlorpyrifos have been phased out. In agricultural streams, chlorpyrifos, azinphos-methyl, p,p’-DDE and alachlor were most often found at concentrations considered to affect aquatic life.

Organochlorine pesticide compounds DDT, dieldrin and chlordane are no longer used, but were still detected in bed sediment and fish in both urban and agricultural areas. These detections do show a trend of lower concentrations of the compounds in fish.

The report, entitled “Pesticides in the Nation’s Streams and Ground Water, 1992-2001” is available online at http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/circ./circ1291 or by calling (888) ASK-USGS. More information about the study can be found at http://water.usgs.gov/nawqua/

Maine Considers Regulations for Indoor Pest Control

A proposed rule by the Maine Board of Pesticides Control would require indoor pesticide applicators to implement IPM programs and use pesticides only after other means have been exhausted. The draft rule also discourages applicators from applying chemicals to cracks and crevices. If pesticides are used, 24-hour notification would be required for residents and workers in private group homes, apartment buildings and public and private office buildings. The new rule would exclude K-12 schools because Maine has existing regulations for IPM and pesticide applications to these buildings. The proposed rule is available at: http://mainegov-images.informe.org/agriculture/pesticides/pdf/Ch26Proposed.pdf (Source: Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, Vol. 34, No. 21)

Using Pesticides with Bee Advisory

In the Environmental Hazard section of some pesticide labels, there may a caution statement regarding bees. The label is the law, so the applicator is responsible for following label directions.

The label may specify that the product can not be used when crops are blooming or may indicate that the product can only be used when bees are not visiting the treatment area. Bee activity is usually the highest during the middle part of the day. Growers are also required to notify any nearby, registered apiaries when an application is planned. The names and addresses of registered apiaries are available from the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

Keep Household Chemicals Away from Kids

Spring is an excellent time to remind the public to keep chemicals and pesticides out of the reach of children. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that more than 9 out of 10 suspected poisonings occur at home and are usually a common household product. Consumers need to keep all chemicals out of the reach of children to prevent accidental poisonings. More information for consumers is available on EPA’s web site at: http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/cb/10_tips (Source: EPA Office of Pesticide Programs Update, March 22, 2006)

Pesticide Crop Watch

Herbicides
Organic arsenics – EPA has released the risk assessment on the organic arsenic herbicides – monosodium methanearsonate (MSMA), disodium methanearsonate (DSMA), calcium acid methanearsonate (CAMA) and cacodylic acid. The comment period is until June 5. The herbicides are mainly used in turf and cotton. The main concern is that the arsenic will reach drinking waters, or transform to inorganic arsenic and reach drinking waters. More information is available at: http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/reregistration/methanearsonic_acid/

Insecticides
Carbofuran – EPA has released the risk assessment for this broad-spectrum pesticide mainly used on alfalfa and corn along with other field crops and fruit and vegetable crops. Trade names include Furadan, Furadex, Furan and Terrafuran, among others. EPA is proposing reduced rates to reduce dietary risks that have shown in EPA’s analysis. The public comment period will go until May 22. For more information, go to: http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/reregistration/carbofuran/
(Source: The Label, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Vol. 18, No. 3)

Upcoming Events

Mosquito Vector Control Workshops
Mosquito Vector Control Workshops
June 13 – Whitehall Community Park, 402 Hamilton Rd., Whitehall (Columbus area)
Educational session, ODA license exam and ULV droplet testing ALL available.
June 14 - Whitehall Community Park, 402 Hamilton Rd., Whitehall (Columbus area)

ULV droplet testing only - NO education session or ODA license exam testing will be available
June 21 – Lake County Health Department, 550 Black Brook Rd., Painesville Township, Educational session, ODA license exam and ULV droplet testing ALL available.
June 22 – Toledo Area Sanitary District, 5015 Stickney Ave., Toledo, ULV droplet testing only - NO education session or ODA license exam testing will be available

Pesticide Applicator Training Inservice
December 6 and 7, 2006
Agriculture Administration Auditorium, OSU Campus - Columbus

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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