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In This Issue
Washington Starts Testing for Farm Workers Employers will be required to provide cholinesterase testing for agricultural workers who handle certain pesticides in the state of Washington. The new regulations are for employees who handle organophosphates that are classified as toxicity category I or II or as N-methyl-carbamates with the words "danger" or "warning" on the label. Cholinesterase testing is a way to monitor for potential pesticide overexposure. The employers are required to offer the cholinesterase testing free and provide medical removal benefits if the tests show that the employee's cholinesterase level has dropped more than 30%. In Washington, this regulation will apply to about 4,800 employees employed by 1,700 businesses. (Source: Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, Vol. 32, No. 4) Carbamates Begin Cumulative Assessment A preliminary assessment of N-methyl carbamates will be available from EPA in 2005. The review of these insecticides is in response to the Food Quality and Protection Act of 1996. The cumulative assessment group is expected to include aldicarb, carbaryl, carbofuran, formetanate, methiocarb, methomyl, oxamyl, pirimicarb, propoxur, and thiodicarb. (Source: Chemically Speaking, University of Florida Extension, March 2004) Mosquito Vector Control Workshops There is still time for mosquito control applicators to sign up for the Vector Control Workshops, coordinated by Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Department of Health. These workshops will be held around the state in June and the dates and locations are listed in the upcoming events section of this newsletter. Applicators will be able to bring in their mosquito ULV spraying equipment for droplet testing. At selected locations, an educational program and license exam testing will be available. Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection July 8, 2004, 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. The training on July 8 will fulfill this requirement. 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. 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. The next training will not be held until October 14. Training for School Districts and Public Personnel a Success The Pesticide Education Program conducted five workshops for public personnel in Cleveland, Elyria, Tiffin, Columbus and Dayton this spring. The workshops were nearly filled to capacity in all locations. The new applicator training was given to the 270 participants who attended the workshops, representing 156 school districts and public agencies in Ohio. Funding has been extended for these new applicator training sessions for people who apply pesticides in public areas such as schools, daycare centers, public housing or hospitals. Ohio pesticide law requires these facilities to have a licensed pesticide applicator, even if the facility is using an over-the-counter pesticide such as wasp spray or mouse bait. If a group of agents is interested in offering this training as a multi-county program for school districts and public agencies in their area, please contact Joanne Kick-Raack at (614) 247-7489. Agricultural Health Study Extended Researchers at the University of Iowa received $5.8 million to extend the agricultureal health study for five more years. The study began in 1993 and has studied the health of more than 89,000 farmers. One aspect of the study is examining links between pesticides and diseases. For an update on the study, visit their website at: http://www.aghealth.org/ (Source: Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, Vol. 32, No. 4) Insecticides
Herbicides
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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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