LONG-TERM PESTICIDE EXPOSURE MAY INCREASE RISK OF DIABETES
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH NIH News
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)) http://www.niehs.nih.gov/
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
CONTACT: Robin Mackar, 919-541-0073 <email: rmackar@niehs.nih.gov>
Licensed pesticide applicators who used chlorinated pesticides on more than 100 days in their lifetime were at greater risk of diabetes, according to researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The associations between specific pesticides and incident diabetes ranged from a 20 percent to a 200 percent increase in risk, said the scientists with the NIH's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
"The results suggest that pesticides may be a contributing factor for diabetes along with known risk factors such as obesity, lack of exercise and having a family history of diabetes," said Dale Sandler, Ph.D., chief of the Epidemiology Branch at the NIEHS and co-author on the paper. "Although the amount of diabetes explained by pesticides is small, these new findings may extend beyond the pesticide applicators in the study," Sandler said. Some of the pesticides used by these workers are used by the general population, though the strength and formulation may vary. Other insecticides in this study are no longer available on the market, however, these chemicals persist in the environment and measurable levels may still be detectable in the general population and in food products. For example, chlordane, which was used to treat homes for termites, has not been used since 1988, but can remain in treated homes for many decades. More than half of those studied in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 1999-2002 had measurable evidence of chlordane exposure. "This is not cause for alarm," added Sandler "since there is no evidence of health effects at such very low levels of exposure."
Overall, pesticide applicators in the highest category of lifetime days of use of any pesticide had a small increase in risk for diabetes (17 percent) compared with those in the lowest pesticide use category (0-64 lifetime days). New cases of diabetes were reported by 3.4 percent of those in the lowest pesticide use category compared with 4.6 percent of those in the highest category. Risks were greater when users of specific pesticides were compared with applicators who never applied that chemical. For example, the strongest relationship was found for a chemical called trichlorfon, with an 85 percent increase in risk for frequent and infrequent users and nearly a 250 percent increase for those who used it more than 10 times. In this group, 8.5 percent reported a new diagnosis of diabetes compared with 3.4 percent of those who never used this chemical. Trichlorfon is an organophosphate insecticide classified as a general-use pesticide that is moderately toxic. Previously used to control cockroaches, crickets, bedbugs, fleas, flies and ticks, it is currently used mostly in turf applications, such as maintaining golf courses.
"This is one of the largest studies looking at the potential effects of pesticides on diabetes incidence in adults," said Freya Kamel, Ph.D., a researcher in the intramural program at NIEHS and co-author in the paper appearing in the May issue of the "American Journal of Epidemiology." "It clearly shows that cumulative lifetime exposure is important and not just recent exposure," said Kamel. Previous cross-sectional studies have used serum samples to show an association between diabetes and some pesticides.
Diabetes occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels or when tissues stop responding to insulin. Nearly 21 million Americans have diabetes. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.
To conduct the study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 30,000 licensed pesticide applicators participating in the Agricultural Health Study, a prospective study following the health history of thousands of pesticide applicators and their spouses in North Carolina and Iowa. The 31,787 applicators in this study included those who completed an enrollment survey about lifetime exposure levels, were free of diabetes at enrollment, and updated their medical records during a five-year follow-up phone interview. Among these, 1,171 reported a diagnosis of diabetes in the follow-up interview. The majority of the study participants were non-Hispanic white men.
Researchers compared the pesticide use and other potential risk factors reported by the 1,171 applicators who developed diabetes since enrolling in the study to those who did not develop diabetes. Among the 50 different pesticides the researchers looked at, they found seven specific pesticides -- aldrin, chlordane, heptachlor, dichlorvos, trichlorfon, alachlor and cynazine -- that increased the likelihood of diabetes among study participants who had ever been exposed to any of these pesticides, and an even greater risk as cumulative days of lifetime exposure increased.
All seven pesticides are chlorinated compounds, including two herbicides, three organochlorine insecticides and two organophosphate pesticides.
"The fact that all seven of these pesticides are chlorinated provides us with an important clue for further research," said Kamel. Previous studies found that organochlorine insecticides such as chlordane were associated with diabetes or insulin levels. The new study shows that other types of chlorinated pesticides, including some organophosphate insecticides and herbicides, are also associated with diabetes. The researchers also found that study participants who reported mixing herbicides in the military had increased odds of diabetes compared to non-military participants.
The Agricultural Health Study (AHS) <http://aghealth.nci.nih.gov/> is a prospective study of licensed pesticide applicators from North Carolina and Iowa recruited in 1993-1997 at the time of license renewal. The cohort includes 4,916 commercial applicators from Iowa and 52,395 private applicators, mostly farmers, from both states. More than 75 percent or 32,347 spouses of married private applicators also enrolled in the cohort. The study is a collaboration of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
For more information about cancer, please visit the NCI Web site at <http://www.cancer.gov>, or call NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).
The primary mission of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences <http://www.niehs.nih.gov/> (NIEHS), one of 27 Institutes and Centers at the National Institutes of Health, is to reduce the burden of human illness and disability by understanding how the environment influences the development and progression of human disease. For additional information, visit the NIEHS Web site at <http://www.niehs.nih.gov/>.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) -- The Nation's Medical Research Agency -- includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit <www.nih.gov>.
REFERENCE:
Montgomery MP, Kamel F, Saldana TM, Alavanja MCR, Sandler DP. Incident diabetes and pesticide exposure among licensed pesticide applicators: Agricultural Health Study 1993 - 2003, "Amer J Epidemiol," 2008;167:1235-46.
This NIH News Release is available online at:
<http://www.nih.gov/news/health/jun2008/niehs-04.htm>.
PRODUCT CANCELLATION ORDER FOR PESTICIDE PRODUCTS CONTAINING DENATONIUM BENZOATE AS AN ACTIVE INGREDIENT
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2008/June/Day-04/p12386.htm
Purpose: EPA is granting a registrant's voluntary request for cancellation, pursuant to section 6(f)(1) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA),of the pesticide product Tree Guard, EPA Reg. No. 66676-1. This cancellation order follows a November 7, 2007. Federal Register Notice of Receipt of Request to Voluntarily Cancel a Pesticide Registration from the sole registrant at the time of products containing denatonium benzoate as the active ingredient. In the November 7, 2007 notice, EPA indicated that it would issue an order implementing the cancellation unless the Agency received substantive comments within the 30 day comment period that would merit its further review of this request, or unless the registrant withdrew their request within this period. The Agency received comments on the notice but none merited its further review of the request. Further, the registrant did not withdraw their request. EPA is granting this request for voluntary cancellation. Any distribution, sale, or use of Tree Guard, EPA Reg. No. 66676-1 is permitted only in accordance with the terms of this order, including the existing stocks provisions. EPA has recently approved two applications for registration of substantially similar products pursuant to FIFRA section
3(c)(7)(A), and these products are subject to the same conditions described in this order. As a consequence, all pesticide products containing denatonium benzoate as an active ingredient are cancelled as of December 1, 2009.
Chemical(s):Tree Guard*
Comments: EPA has established a docket for this action under docket identification number EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-1011. The pesticide product Tree Guard, EPA Reg. No. 66676-1, is cancelled effective December 1, 2009.
Contact: Andrea Carone, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs, telephone number: (703) 308-0122; fax number: (703) 308-8005; e-mail address: carone.andrea@epa.gov
EPA'S STOP SALE ORDER ON ADDITIONAL SCOTTS CONSUMER PRODUCT (JULY 3, 2008)
http://www.epa.gov:80/reg5rcra/ptb/news/
On June 26, 2008, EPA issued an order to Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and its affiliates (Marysville, OH) to immediately stop all sales and distribution of Ortho Home Defense MAX Perimeter and Indoor Insect Killer (EPA Registration # 239-2663). EPA took action because this consumer pesticide product is misbranded and its label makes claims that were not accepted by EPA as part of its registration. EPA did not approve the product label, which indicates the product will be effective for twelve months against certain pests, including scorpions and fire ants (public health pests of concern).
EPA has determined the ingredients found in this product are common to other insecticide products and should not be harmful if used according to the label directions.
On July 2, 2008 EPA approved a new label. Scotts can now sell and distribute the Ortho Home Defense MAX Perimeter and Indoor Insect currently in stores. However, the product that remains in Scotts facilities must be relabeled or repackaged with the approved label. As part of EPA's ongoing investigation into Scotts pesticide products, Ortho Home Defense MAX Perimeter and Indoor Insect Killer is the fifth Scotts pesticide product in recent months to come under EPA's scrutiny for alleged violations.
In April, EPA issued stop sale orders on four Scotts' products. In May, Scotts began its voluntary recall of the three consumer products and the fourth product which was available only through Scotts Lawn Care Service.
FENAMIPHOS; AMENDMENT TO USE DELETION AND PRODUCT CANCELLATION ORDER
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2008/June/Day-11/p13003.htm
Purpose: This notice announces EPA's amendment to the order for the cancellation of products, voluntarily requested by the registrant and accepted by the Agency, of products containing the pesticide fenamiphos, pursuant to section 6(f)(1) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended. This amendment follows a December 10, 2003 Federal Register Use Deletion and Product Cancellation Order which approved the voluntary request submitted by Bayer Corporation to cancel all registrations for products containing the active ingredient fenamiphos. These are the last fenamiphos products registered for use in the United States. The December 10, 2003 order prohibited the sale and distribution of fenamiphos products by persons other than the registrant after May 31, 2008. The sole technical registrant for fenamiphos, Bayer Environmental Science, subsequently requested that the Agency extend the May 31, 2008 deadline for Nemacur 10% Turf and Ornamental Nematicide (EPA Reg. No. 432-1291) and Nemacur 3 Emulsifiable Systemic Insecticide-Nematicide (EPA Reg. No. 264-731). The Agency will extend the deadline for persons other than the registrant to sell and distribute Nemacur 10% Turf and Ornamental Nematicide as well as Nemacur 3 Emulsifiable Systemic Insecticide-Nematicide until November 30, 2008.
Chemical(s): Fenamiphos*
Comments: EPA has established a docket for this action under docket identification number EPA-HQ-OPP-2003-0200. This amendment is effective June 11, 2008.
Contact: Eric Miederhoff, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs, telephone number: (703) 347-8028; fax number: (703) 308-7070; e-mail address: miederhoff.eric@epa.gov.
EPA ISSUES CANCELLATION ORDER FOR REMAINING AZINPHOS-METHYL USES
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2008/February/Day-20/p3112.htm
EPA has published an order canceling and amending the registrations of pesticide products containing azinphos-methyl (AZM) to terminate the remaining uses of this pesticide by 2012, as voluntarily requested by the registrants. Consistent with EPA's November 2006 final decision for the remaining uses of AZM, the cancellation order published in the Federal Register on February 20, 2008, terminates the last AZM products registered for use in the United States. It includes the following provisions.
--Brussels sprouts and nursery stock -Distribution and sale of AZM products labeled for use on these crops was terminated effective February 20, 2008, and use of AZM products on these crops is prohibited effective September 30, 2008.
--Walnuts, almonds, and pistachios - AZM use on these crops is prohibited effective October 30, 2009.
--Apples, pears, cherries, blueberries, alkali bee beds, and parsley - AZM use on these crops is terminated effective September 30, 2012. All distribution, sale and use of remaining AZM products will be prohibited as of that date, except as provided in the existing stocks provisions of the order.
EPA's cancellation order follows an August 8, 2007, Federal Register notice that announced the Agency's receipt of requests from AZM registrants to voluntarily cancel and amend to terminate all AZM product registrations by September 30, 2012. The Agency received no comments on that Federal Register notice and proceeded with the AZM cancellation order. Existing stocks provisions are detailed in that document.
EPA's February 20, 2008, Federal Register notice is available on the Agency's Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2008/February/Day-20/p3112.htm .
Further information about EPA’s review of AZM is available in docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0061 at http://www.regulations.gov and on the Agency's AZM Web page, http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/azm/ .
NAPROPAMIDE; NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF REQUEST TO VOLUNTARILY AMEND TO TERMINATE USES OF NAPROPAMIDE PESTICIDE REGISTRATIONS
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2008/March/Day-19/p5294.htm
Purpose: In accordance with section 6(f)(1) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended, EPA is issuing a notice of receipt of a request by two registrants to voluntarily amend their napropamide registrations to terminate certain uses. The request would terminate napropamide use in or on apple, apricot, artichoke, avocado, cherry, fig, grapefruit, lemons, nectarine, olive, orange, peach, pear, pistaschio, plum, pomegranate, prunes, tangerine, tangelo and walnut crops. The request would not terminate the last napropamide product registered for use in the United States. EPA intends to grant this request at the close of the comment period for this announcement unless the Agency receives substantive comments within the comment period that would merit its further review of the request, or unless the registrant withdraws its request within this period. Upon acceptance of this request, any sale, distribution, or use of products listed in this notice will be permitted only if such sale, distribution, or use is consistent with the terms as described in the final order.
Chemical(s): Napropamide*
Comments: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification number EPA-HQ-OPP-2004-0162, by one of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov or mail to Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public Docket (7502P), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.
Contact: James Parker, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs, telephone number: (703) 306-0469; fax number: (703) 308-7070; e-mail address: parker.james@epa.gov.
TRIADIMEFON; NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF REQUEST TO VOLUNTARILY CANCEL CERTAIN PESTICIDE REGISTRATIONS
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2008/April/Day-16/p7996.htm
Purpose: In accordance with section 6(f)(1) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended, EPA is issuing a notice of receipt of a request by the registrant to voluntarily cancel its registration for a product containing the pesticide triadimefon (EPA Registration No. 432-1294). The request would not terminate the last triadimefon product registered for use in the United States. EPA intends to grant this request at the close of the comment period for this announcement unless the Agency receives substantive comments within the comment period that would merit its further review of the request, or unless the registrant withdraws its request within this period.
Chemical(s): Triadimefon*Contact: John W. Pates, Jr., Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs, telephone number: (703) 308-8195; fax number: (703) 305-5290; e-mail address: pates.john@epa.gov.
FENVALERATE; NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF REQUESTS TO VOLUNTARILY CANCEL CERTAIN PESTICIDE REGISTRATIONS
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2008/April/Day-30/p9511.htm
Purpose: In accordance with section 6(f)(1) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended, EPA is issuing a notice of receipt of requests by the registrants to voluntarily cancel the registrations for all of their products containing 4-chloro-alpha- (1-methylethyl)benzeneacetic acid, cyano(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl ester (fenvalerate). The requests would terminate the last fenvalerate products registered for use in the United States. EPA intends to grant these requests at the close of the comment period for this announcement unless the Agency receives substantive comments within the comment period that would merit its further review of the requests, or unless the registrants withdraw their requests within this period. Upon acceptance of these requests, any sale, distribution, or use of products listed in this notice will be permitted only if such sale, distribution, or use is consistent with the terms as described in the final order.
Chemical(s): Fenvalerate*
Contact: Wilhelmena Livingston, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs, telephone number: (703) 308-8025; fax number: (703) 308-8005; e-mail address: livingston.wilhelmena @epa.gov.
SOIL FUMIGANT PESTICIDES SUBJECT TO NEW SAFETY MEASURES
Washington, D.C. - July 10, 2008) New safety measures for soil fumigant pesticides will increase protections for agricultural workers and bystanders - people who live, work, or otherwise spend time near fields that are fumigated. For the soil fumigants methyl bromide, chloropicrin, dazomet, metam sodium, and metam potassium, EPA will require a suite of new mitigation measures that will work together to protect human health.
"The new restrictions protect workers and bystanders against inadvertent exposure to soil fumigants and are practical to implement," said Jim Gulliford, EPA's Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances.
When fumigants dissipate from the soil, workers or bystanders who are exposed to these pesticides may experience eye or respiratory irritation, or more severe and irreversible effects, depending on the fumigant and level of exposure. The following mitigation measures are designed to work together to protect bystanders and workers.
* To help ensure safe fumigation practices, users must complete written, site-specific fumigant management plans before fumigations begin.
* Buffer zones around treated fields will reduce the chances of immediate harmful effects to bystanders from fumigant concentrations in air. Buffers can be adjusted based on the use of other good management practices that also reduce risks to bystanders. * Posting requirements will inform bystanders and field workers about the location and timing of fumigations and associated buffer zones so people do not enter these areas.
* To ensure emergency preparedness, registrants must provide first responders with fumigant-specific safety information and training. Fumigant applicators must monitor buffer zone perimeters or provide emergency response information directly to neighbors.
* Fumigant registrants must conduct outreach programs to educate community members about fumigants, buffer zones, how to recognize early signs of fumigant exposure, and how to respond appropriately in case of an incident.
* Fumigant registrants must adopt more stringent worker protection measures, and develop training for fumigation handlers and workers to enhance their knowledge and skills and to promote product stewardship.
* All soil fumigant products will be classified as restricted-use pesticides, to ensure that only specially trained individuals can apply and oversee fumigant operations.
EPA's decision will also halt the use of methyl bromide on sites where alternatives are available. The newly registered fumigant iodomethane will be reexamined later this year to determine what new mitigation or restrictions are necessary. The soil fumigant 1,3-dichloropropene, which was evaluated previously, may be subject to similar provisions when the soil fumigants are evaluated together again in 2013.
Soil fumigants are pesticides that, when injected or incorporated into soil, form a gas that permeates the soil and kills a wide array of soil-borne pests, providing an important tool for American agriculture. Fumigants are used on a wide range of crops, primarily potatoes, tomatoes, strawberries, carrots, and peppers. EPA is providing 60 days for public comments on implementation of these measures and will refine the measures as needed.
More information is available at: http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/reregistration/soil_fumigants/
NAFTA TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP ON PESTICIDES RELEASES FIVE-YEAR STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
The proposed Five-Year Strategy of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Technical Working Group (TWG) on Pesticides is now available for public comment. This document presents the NAFTA TWG’s proposed strategic framework for the next five years, outlining the objectives of the TWG, specific work areas that it will focus on to meet those objectives, and indicators to measure its success. Overarching strategic objectives that guide the TWG work include:
1. Providing the United States, Canada, and Mexico with equal access to and same - time introduction of pest management tools.
2. Working cooperatively to reevaluate older pesticides using each country's reevaluation programs to the fullest to increase efficiency.
3. Integrating smart business approaches and practices into NAFTA TWG work.
The comment period for this document will last for 30 days, beginning on July 23, 2008, and closing on August 21, 2008. The NAFTA TWG on Pesticides Proposed Five-Year Strategy is available at http://www.regulation.gov under docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0522. The U.S. Federal Register notice announcing the comment period is available at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2008/July/Day-23/p16381.htm .
The NAFTA TWG on Pesticides, comprising of representatives from the U.S., Mexican, and Canadian governments, was established in 1997 to address trade issues, national regulatory and scientific capacity, and governmental review burden and to coordinate regulatory decision-making and industry burden reduction. For additional background on the NAFTA TWG, visit http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/international/naftatwg/index.html
EPA ACTS TO ADDRESS CARBOFURAN RESIDUES IN FOOD
Due to considerable risks associated with the pesticide carbofuran in food and drinking water, EPA is revoking the regulations that allow carbofuran residues in food. Even though carbofuran is used on a small percentage of the U.S. food supply and therefore the likelihood of exposure through food is low, EPA has identified risks that that do not meet our rigorous food safety standards. EPA is taking the necessary steps to address these risks to ensure we have the safest food supply possible. The United States has a safe and abundant food supply, and children and others should continue to eat a variety of foods, as recommended by the federal government and nutritional experts.
In addition, EPA is proceeding on the path toward cancellation of the pesticide registration, which will address the risks to pesticide applicators and birds in treated fields. As part of this effort, EPA is also releasing its response to the peer review conducted by the independent Scientific Advisory Panel and the agency's response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's comments on the effect of the cancellation of carbofuran on the agricultural economy.
EPA will accept public comments on the proposed tolerance revocation for 60 days. For additional information, visit: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/carbofuran/carbofuran_noic.htm
DDVP OBJECTIONS AND HEARING REQUEST DENIED
EPA has denied the Natural Resource Defense Council’s objections to and requests for a hearing on a prior order that denied their petition asking EPA to revoke all tolerances for dichlorvos (DDVP). The Agency's order became effective when it was published in the Federal Register on July 23, 2008. EPA completed the interim reregistration eligibility decision for DDVP in June 2006 and, following the organophosphate cumulative risk assessment, completed the final Reregistration Eligibility Decision in July 2006. Consistent with that decision, certain DDVP pesticides can still be used safely around the home as long as the directions on product labeling are followed. For more information about DDVP, consult http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/ddvp. The Federal Register notice is available at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/
