PEP-Talk, September, 2002

Pesticide Education Program
Ohio State University Extension
Joanne Kick-Raack, State Coordinator
Cindy Folck, Communications
Vol. 6, Issue 9

In This Issue

Atrazine Deadline Extended

EPA has requested an extension to complete the Interim Reregistration Eligibility Decision (IRED) for the herbicide atrazine. The original IRED was to be completed by early August, but the deadline has been extended to allow time to review new data on atrazine's environmental effects. Specifically, EPA will be evaluating new studies on potential amphibian risk from atrazine. Click here for re-registration information.

Chemical Security Act May Affect Rural Dealers

Legislation currently before the House and Senate could have implications for agriculture dealers. The Chemical Security Acts of 2002 (S.1602) was introduced last fall by Sen. Jon Corzine (D-N.J.) to require facilities that house chemicals at risk of sabotage to conduct vulnerability assessments and to consider inherently safer technology where feasible. Similar legislation has been introduced to the House. While industry experts think the bill was intended for large manufacturers, it could have an unintended impact on rural America.

The Agricultural Retailers Association has stated that the bill would change the fertilizer and pesticide inventory carried by farm dealers. For example, farm dealers who sell anhydrous ammonia already have to submit risk management plans under the Clean Air Act. The new bill would require additional assessments that could be expensive.

The association points out that the bill creates a bias against traditional forms of security such as lighting, alarms, locks and guards. The bill's provisions to utilize inherently safer technology could become too expensive for some dealers to sell anhydrous ammonia and other chemicals targeted in the bill. (Source: Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, Vol. 30, No. 42)

Organophosphate Update

As a result of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), several pesticides have been evaluated by EPA with a 10x safety factor, focusing on possible concerns to children and infants if the pesticides remain registered. Organophosphates are one of the first groups to have the re-evaluation process. Following is an update on the organophosphate changes and replacements. Some interesting facts:

  • Currently, 70% of the organophosphates (OP) products used in agriculture are sold by just three companies.
  • More than 60% of OP use is in just two field crops: corn and cotton

Replacements

  • Acetamiprid is a new insecticide active ingredient that was conditionally registered in March and is a conventional "reduced-risk" pesticide. It is an OP-alternative for insecticides like acephate on cotton and azinphos methyl on apples, with virutally no major health and/or environmental issues. Acetamiprid was registered for control of sucking-type insects on leafy vegetables, fruiting vegetables, cole crops, citrus fruits, pome fruits, grapes, cotton and ornamental plants and flowers.
  • Novaluron was also granted OP alternative status for new uses on pome fruit and cotton in March. Novaluron is an alternative to the OP's azinphos methyl, dicrotophos, chlorpyrifos, and acephate; the carbamates, carbaryl and oxamyl; the organochlorine, endosulfan and the pyrethoids, lambda-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, zeta-cypermehtrin and esfenvalerate for use on pome fruit and cotton. Novaluron is an insect growth regulator.

    Update on Selected OPs

  • Azinphos-methyl (AZM) re-registration is conditional. EPA is to get additional data from Bayer as a condition of the AZM time-limited tolerances. The currently allowed registered uses for AZM expire October 2005. Bayer can apply for an amendment to continue individual uses. EPA would approve/disapprove such an amendment after re-evaluating risks and benefits based on the submitted data.
  • Disulfoton is eligible for re-registration pending a full reassessment of the cumulative risk from all OP pesticides; and provided conditions identified are satisfied, including implementation of risk mitigation measures. Without implementation of the risk mitigation measures, EPA has determined that disulfoton products may pose unreasonable adverse effects on human health and the environment. Mitigation measures for disulfoton include a phase out of disulfoton use on wheat, barley, potatoes and commercially grown ornamentals by June 2005. EPA expects that registrants will implement the risk mitigation measures as soon as possible.
  • Chlorpyrifos (Dursban) has been phased out for residential uses (Lorsban is still available for agriculture uses) and Diazinon is beginning the process. One home-use product manufacturer is incorporating the phase out into a marketing gimmick. Their replacement products have large promotional signage that asks "Looking for Dursban?", "Looking for Diazinon?" The promotion is introducing consumers to replacement products.
  • Diazinon will begin the phase out period with retail sales stopping in December, 2002, for indoor household uses. For all lawn, garden and turf uses, manufacturing will stop in June, 2003, and all sales to distributors will stop in August, 2003. Further risk mitigation measures are being considered for agriculture. Highlights include cancellation of granular registrations, deletion of foliar application on all vegetable crops, required lock-and-load engineering controls, closed cabs for all ground equipment applications, reduction in the number of applications of diazinon in a growing season and application limitations on labeling for orchard crops. Chlorpyrifos (Dursban) has been phased out, but EPA and state regulatory agencies are concerned that chlorpyrifos home-use products can still be found on store shelves. The phase-out was to be completed by December 31, 2001, but a survey of ten states showed there were estimates of 3 tons still being sold. The problem seems to be small retail stores who are not aware of the stop sale date for chlorpyrifos home-use products.
  • Endosulfan's (Thiodan) dietary risk numbers did not change from EPA's earlier assessment, however the assessment is high with the 10x safety factor. The crops considered at risk for deletion from the label include green beans, garden green peas, summer squash, spinach and tomatoes. There still are endosulfan worker, dietary, ecological risk mitigation issues that remain to be resolved.
  • Tetrachlorvinphos (old products include Stirofos, Gardona) tolerance reassessment decision document was signed this summer. EPA assessed risks for dietary, occupational and residential concerns. The biggest concern was depressed cholinesterase levels in horses and recommended label language was added to caution users.

    Tolerance Reassessment Progress

    EPA has completed the second phase of an intensive 10-year scientific and regulatory effort. This effort is to ensure that all existing pesticide tolerances meet the tougher food safety standard called for in the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. EPA has met the goal of evaluating over 6,400 tolerances for pesticide residues on food.

    Specific pesticides were prioritized for reassessment and risk mitigation by EPA who determined the classes with the greatest risk. These included organophophate, carbamate and organochlorine classes as well as pesticides which show evidence of carcinogenicity.

    EPA has completed tolerance reassessment for 50 to 75 percent of these prioritized classes. Additionally, EPA has reassessed almost two-thirds of the tolerances for foods commonly eaten by children.

    • (Sources: Clemson University, Pesticide Information Program, Agricultural Chemical News, Vol. 274, Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, Vol. 30, No. 42)

No Link Found Between Breast Cancer and Pesticides

The National Cancer Institute released a study on possible links between pollution and high rates of breast cancer on Long Island. The study failed to show any connection between the disease and pesticides that were once widely used on the island. It also found only a very slight correlation between cancer rates and exposure to other pollutants, like car exhaust and cigarette smoke. The seven-year federal study cost about $8 million. (Source: New York Times, Aug. 6, 2002)

"Silent Spring" Legacy Questioned

In a recent issue of "Reason" an editorial questioned the legacy of "Silent Spring" on the 40th anniversary of the publication of the book decrying usage of pesticides on food crops. The editorial says, "the great cancer scare launched by Rachel Carson and perpetuated by her believers ever since, should have been put to rest by the 1996 National Academy of Sciences report on carcinogens in human diets. The report concluded natural diet components may prove of greater concern than synthetic with respect to cancer risk."

The author noted that Carson may have been ignorant of facts at the time, "but after four decades in which tens of billions of dollars have been wasted chasing imaginary risks, her intellectual descendants don't have the same excuse." Read the editorial. (Source: Chemically Speaking, University of Florida Extension, July 2002)

Blood Screening Program Debated

Blood tests for agricultural workers who regularly handle pesticides will become mandatory in the state of Washington, after an earlier ruling by the state's Supreme Court. The court ordered state officials to develop mandatory rules for medical monitoring of farm workers who handle neurotoxic pesticides.

State officials say exposure to some pesticides, notably organophosphates and carbamates, can cause depressed levels of the enzyme cholinesterase, which helps regulate nerve functions. While these levels can eventually return to normal after exposure has ceased, there can be lingering effects. Concerns about implementing the screening is the cost to employers and possible discrimination against workers who have low cholinesterase levels. (Source: Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, Vol. 30, No. 39)

Other Mosquito News

A mosquito trap is being marketed that generates carbon dioxide to lure the mosquito and then sucks it into a bag. Other derivations use octenol as an attractant. Researchers are currently investigating the efficacy of these units. Mosquito species vary in attractants, hosts and feeding pattern. For example, the Asian tiger mosquito is not attracted by carbon dioxide or octenol. (Source: Chemically Speaking, University of Florida Extension, July 2002)

Tomatoes might be the next weapon of defense in the war against mosquitoes. Scientists at North Carolina State University has patented a substance, called IBI-246, ths is one of the tomato's natural defenses against insects. A manufacturer has applied to EPA for approval to use the compound in an insect repellent. (Source: Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, Vol. 30, No. 40)

Pesticide Crop Watch

Insecticides

acequinocyl - This miticide was granted conventional "reduced-risk" status from EPA for use on field ornamentals, pome fruit, citrus and almonds.

Courier (buprofezin) - Nichimo America received an EPA label to use on cucumbers, lettuce, melons, pumpkins, squash and tomatoes to control whiteflies, plant hoppers, leaf hoppers, scales and mealy bugs.

Vectobac (Bti) - Valent added to their label the control of nuisance flies in sewage treatment facilities.

Herbicides

Cimarron Max (metsulfuron-methyl/dicamba/2,4-D) - DuPont has this new product for use on pastures and rangelands and to control broadleaf weeds in acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program.

difenzoquat, diquat dibromide, fenbutatin-oxide, linuron and norflurazon - EPA has reviewed existing tolerances for these pesticides and considers them as having met the safety standard under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Milestone (azafenidin) - DuPont issued a statement saying the company has decided to discontinue this compound. The herbicide was slated to become an atrazine replacement in a number of crops. DuPont sited slow sales growth, increased cost, and production and registration delays as reasons for the discontinuation.

propanil - EPA has determine that no risk mitigation is needed for propanil, a selective post-emergent herbicide registered on rice, barley, oat and spring wheat to control broadleaf and grass weeds.

Pursuit (imazethapyr) - BASF is adding to their label dodder suppression on alfalfa.

Rawhide (oxyfluorfen/glyphosate) - Dow AgroSciences has a new combination herbicide for non crop weed control.

Trifluralin 4 EC - Universal Cooperatives has deleted clover from the label.

Fungicides

Abound (azoxystrobin) Syngenta added to their label usage on berries.

Flint (trifloxystrobin) Bayer added to their label usage on pecans, pistachios, stone fruit and tree nuts.

Penncozeb (maneb) - Cerexagri added to their label the use against scab on wheat.

Quadris (azoxystrobin) Syngenta added to their label the usage on mint and peppers.

Misc.

The FTC has approved Bayer's acquisition of Aventis Crop Science. Bayer must divest itself of the Fipronil insecticide in the agricultural market, the insecticide Acetamiprid in North American and Europe, the wheat herbicide Everest (flucarbazone-sodium) and cotton defoliant Folex.

Farmland Industries has filed for bankruptcy.

(Sources for Pesticide Crop Watch: Agricultural Chemical News, Vol. 274; Chemically Speaking, University of Florida Extension, July 2002)

Upcoming Events

Agent Inservice
January 8 & 9, 2003, Fawcett Center, Columbus

Commercial Recertification Conference
General Conference (turf, ornamental, industrial vegetation, general pest, termite) November 26, 2002 - Cleveland, Holiday Inn Independence
December 17, 2002 - Dayton Columbus Center
January 15, 2003 - Perrysburg, Holiday Day Inn French Quarters
February 6, 2003 - Columbus Convention Center

Commercial Recertification Conference
Field Crop Conference (agricultural pest, agronomic weed)
January 29, 2003 - Columbus, OSU Fawcett Center
February 12, 2003 - Lima Holiday Inn

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