PEP-Talk, September, 2003

Pesticide Education Program
Ohio State University Extension
Joanne Kick-Raack, State Coordinator
Cindy Folck, Communications
Vol. 7, Issue 9

In This Issue

Pesticide Education Program Staff Goodbyes

June Allen retired from the Pesticide Education Program at the end of August. June was in charge of organizing and registering people for the various applicator conferences. She was with the program for 12 years and is planning an active retirement. Lynne Berry, secretary for the program for 14 years, has accepted another position at Ohio State University. We wish June and Lynne success in their new ventures!

Commerical Recertification Conferences Scheduled

Remember to mark your calendars for the 2003-2004 winter schedule of commercial recertification conferences. These conferences are coordinated by the Pesticide Education Program. We would appreciate your help in promoting these conferences to commercial applicators.

General Commercial Pesticide Applicator Recertification Conferences
(turf, ornamental, pest control, industrial vegetation)
November 25, 2003 - Cleveland/Independence Holiday Inn
December 17, 2003 - Dayton Convention Center
January 14, 2004 - Perrysburg Holiday Inn, French Quarters
February 17, 2004 - Columbus Convention Center

Field Crops Commercial Pesticide Applicator Recertification Conferences
January 28, 2004 - Lima Holiday Inn
February 4, 2004 - Fawcett Center, Ohio State University, Columbus

Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection Training

October 2, 2003 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. In addition to having Category 10b (Termite) on an Ohio pesticide applicator license, the inspectors must attend a mandatory five-hour training session and take a test. The training on October 2 will fulfill this requirement.

Anyone interested in attending the training can go to the Pesticide Education Program website at http://pested.osu.edu or call the program at (614) 292-4070 for registration information. The October 2nd class will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00. The registration, which includes lunch, is $90 if pre-registered and $100 at the door. Ohio State University Extension Agents 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.

Possible Alternative for Methyl Bromide

An Auburn plant pathologist is conducting research with a liquid formulation of sodium azide as a possible alternative for methyl bromide, which will be phased out by 2005 because of the Montreal Protocol to reduce ozone-damaging substances. Rodrigo Rodriquex Kabana is working with sodium azide delivered by drip irrigation under plastic sheeting. He first began research with this fungicide in the 1970s working with a granular form of the chemical. (Sources: Associated Press, July 22, 2003; Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, Vol. 31, No. 41)

Household Products Database on the Web

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has unveiled a database that provides information to consumers about household products and their potential health effects. The database contains information on the potential health effects of more than 2,000 ingredients contained in more than 4,000 common household products. Last year, the NIH unveiled a website entitled Tox Town . This website is designed to inform consumers about the toxic chemicals and environmental risks that exist in towns and cities. (Source: EPA Office of Pesticide Programs, August, 2003)

Chlorophenoxy Herbicide Study

An EPA researcher with the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Lab has published a study that links birth defects to chlorophenoxy herbicides, specifically 2,4-D and MCPA used in wheat production. Based on birth records, the study focused on 150 wheat-producing counties in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

The study spanned from 1995 - 1997 and concluded that respiratory and circulatory system abnormalities in infants were greatest in high-wheat areas. Other results included increased rate of musculoskeletal abnormalities and higher rates of infant mortalities due to cardiovascular or musculoskeletal abnormalities in males born in the high-wheat counties. Malformation incidence was greatest if conceptions occurred in the spring.

CropLife America contends that the study doesn't measure actual exposures to the weed-control products. They contend that the researchers don't take other exposures into account, including other crops or applications in which clorophenoxy herbicides are used other than wheat production. (Source: Pesticide and Toxic Chemical News, Vol. 31, No. 39)

European Precautionary Principle Comes to U.S.

The City of San Francisco has adopted a precautionary principle, similar to principles widely used in Europe. The principle directs governmental agencies to restrict the use of products or compounds suspected of posing health risks. All municipal and county officers, boards, commission and departments must perform a thorough and careful analysis of alternatives and select the alternative that presents the least potential threat to human health and the city's natural system. Components of the principle include public participation in the process of selection and use of products or compounds. The text of the precautionary principle is available. (Source: Pesticide and Toxic Chemical News, Vol. 31, No. 40)

Denmark to Restrict Glyphosate

Danish officials may restrict the use of the herbicide glyphosate as a regulation to protect groundwater. Over 99 percent of Denmark residents use groundwater as their drinking water source. The restrictions would prohibit the use of the material on four high-clay soil types. No glyphosate has been found in drinking water and only minute quantities have been found at a depth of one meter in a field drainage area. (Chemically Speaking, University of Florida Extension, July, 2003).

Massachusetts Plans to Lift Ban on Roadside Herbicides

The highway department in Massachusetts sited the expense of manual weed control and the danger posed to workers on high-speed roads as reasons to lift their 5-year ban on roadside herbicide applications. Cost savings of chemical control are estimated at $50,000 to $60,000 over manual weeding, according to a department spokesperson. (Chemically Speaking, University of Florida Extension, July, 2003).

Research Study Calls for New Regulations for Home Use Pesticides

The Environment and Human Health, Inc., (EHHI) has released a study calling for new regulations on the packaging and retail displays of lawn-care products for home use. The EHHI surveyed and visited large retail outlets in Connecticut in the spring of 2002. In the stores, the researchers discovered broken bags of lawn-care pesticides and products displayed by food products or next to cash registers. The group wants lawn-care pesticide products in child-proof, non-porous and unbreakable packaging with labeling that identifies the long-term health effects of the product. (Source: EHHI media release, June, 2003) Editor's note: The study has received nationwide media attention.

When It Rains on Your Parade...

The activist group, Greenpeace, recently had their version of the New York City marathon interrupted with protesters dressed as grim reapers and carrying coffins. The protest group, CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) was raising awareness of the millions of Africans who die yearly because of opposition by Greenpeace and other activist groups opposed to pesticides for malaria control and the use of biotech crops to relieve hunger and malnutrition. (Source: Chemically Speaking, University of Florida Extension, July 2003).

Pesticide Crop Watch

Insecticides

Kryocide (cryolite) - Cerexagri has added pumpkins and winter squash to the label and revised the spray interval on grapes.

Quick Bayt (imidacloprid) - Bayer Animal Health has a new fly bait being introduced this year.

Starkle (dinotefuran) - Mitsui Chemicals has submitted an application to EPA to register this new active ingredient for use on various crops, turf, ornamentals, and cockroach bait and usage on dogs and cats.

Fungicides

Pro Star (flutolonil) Bayer Environmental Sciences has added to their label the control of rhizoctonia and rust in ornamental plants. It can be used in shade houses, greenhouses, on outdoor containers and field grown ornamental nursery stock.

Upcoming Events

Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection Training
October 2, 2003, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Ohio Department of Agriculture, Reynoldsburg

PAT Agent Inservice
January 7 & 8, 2004
Agriculture Administration Building Auditorium
Ohio State University Campus, Columbus

General Commercial Pesticide Applicator Recertification Conferences
(turf, ornamental, pest control, industrial vegetation)
November 25, 2003 - Cleveland/Independence Holiday Inn
December 17, 2003 - Dayton Convention Center
January 14, 2004 - Perrysburg Holiday Inn, French Quarters
February 17, 2004 - Columbus Convention Center

Field Crops Commercial Pesticide Applicator Recertification Conferences
January 28, 2004 - Lima Holiday Inn
February 4, 2004 - Fawcett Center, Ohio State University, Columbus

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All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, Ohio State University Extension.

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