1)Malathion re-reregistration
(2) Diazinon, parathion,  disulfoton, ethoprop, and carbaryl
(3)  StarLink corn action
(4)  OH company, charged with falsifying pesticide test results
(5)  Proposed changes in Lorsban labeling
(6)  Lorsban Survey
(7)  EPA risk assessment for thiabendazole
(8)  Preliminary assessments - lactofen and sodium acifluorfen
(9) Voluntary resistance management labeling
(10) First major alternatives to Methyl Bromide
(11) NAFTA identifies "Minor Use" as  significant issue
(12) Chlorpyrifos product cancellations proposed
(13) Vinclozolin tolerance revocations proposed
(14) CCA-treated wood
(15) Fury and Mustang misuse in southern wheat
(16) Thiamethoxam products registered
(17) Past stories

Malathion re-registration (Posted 8/17/01)(from Bill Hoffman, Penn State)
Cheminova is currently working with EPA to re-register Malathion.  This is a long process that is nearing its end.  Below is a list of uses that WILL BE eliminated from the Malathion label at SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE.  Because the re-registration process is incomplete, many (if not all) of these uses still appear on product labels and may be used legally.  There has also not been a final decision regarding how long retailers will have to sell existing stocks or how long growers will have to use existing stocks once labels ARE changed.
The following uses are not being supported for reregistration by Cheminova:
All pet uses for all formulations;
All livestock uses with all formulations;
All indoor uses (except for some stored commodities and storage facilities, and mushroom houses);
All greenhouse uses;
All open-forest land uses;
All seed treatments with all formulations;
All formulations for the following uses:
- Almonds (including hulls and shells)
- Cranberries
- Filberts
- Peanuts (including forage, hay, storage and storage facilities)
- Peavines (including hay)
- Safflower seed
- Soybeans (including hay and forage)
- Sugar beets
- Sunflower seed
- Treated raisin trays

All pressurized can formulations.

Final tolerance revocations for diazinon, parathion, disulfoton, ethoprop, and carbaryl (Posted 8/17/01)
In July, EPA published a final rule revoking 24 tolerances for the pesticides diazinon, parathion, disulfoton, ethoprop, and carbaryl.  EPA first proposed these tolerance revocations in 1999.  In addition, four tolerances are being removed because they are covered by other tolerances.  These revocations become effective on October 24, 2001.  Tolerances for these chemicals are being revoked because the pesticides are no longer used on crops produced in the United States and no commenters identified a need to retain them for import purposes, or because the crops are no longer considered a significant animal feed item.  Tolerances for boysenberries and dewberries for diazinon, and youngberries and dewberries for parathion are being removed because they are covered by the tolerance for blackberries.  The Federal Register notice describing these tolerance revocations is available on EPA's web site www.epa.gov/fedrgstr.  Information on tolerance reassessment is available at  www.epa.gov/pesticides/tolerance/.

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Scientific report on StarLink corn available (Posted 8/17/01)
An independent Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP), convened to evaluate new data regarding potential allergenicity and exposure to StarLink corn, has completed its assessment and has provided its final report to EPA.  In their findings, the SAP reaffirmed key conclusions from their previous report on StarLink, including that there is a "medium like-lihood" that StarLink protein is a potential human allergen, and that there is sufficient evidence that there is a "low probability of allergenicity" in the exposed population based on levels of StarLink in the U.S. diet.  The Panel also stated that, since there is inadequate information to establish a reasonable scientific certainty that exposure would not be harmful to public health, they could not recommend establishing a specific tolerance level for StarLink.  Therefore, based on the panel's recommendations and the available scientific assessment on dietary exposure and allergenicity, establishing a tolerance for StarLink in human food products is not currently supported.

For the near future, EPA, FDA and  USDA will maintain their efforts to divert StarLink corn away from the human food supply.  The federal government is continuing to work with agricultural interests and the grain industry to ensure that corn is tested for the presence of the StarLink protein, and to direct any StarLink corn grain to approved animal feed and industrial uses.

In addition to reaffirming their previous conclusions about potential allergenicity and exposure, the Panel endorsed EPA's conclusion that the process of wet-milling corn removes virtually all of the StarLink protein (called Cry9C) from products made for human food.  This supports the Agency's determination that there is no public health risk from eating products manufactured from StarLink corn through the wet-milling process, provided that corn utilized in the wet-milling process does not contain significant levels of StarLink.  The SAP also agreed with EPA estimates that StarLink corn will essentially be eliminated from the corn grain supply by 2002, provided that the current efforts to test for and contain StarLink grain and seed are maintained.  The SAP agreed with EPA estimates that the Cry9C protein in the domestic corn supply will decline rapidly after the 2001 crop is harvested and with each subsequent production year.  The complete SAP report is available at:   www.epa.gov/scipoly/sap/

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Ohio company, executives charged with falsifying pesticide test results(Posted 8/17/01)
I am often asked, "How can we trust EPA and/or chemical companies to say the right thing on their labels?"  This story answers that question:
J.T. Eaton & Co. of Twinsburg, Ohio and two company executives, Stanley Z. Baker and  Benjamin H. Baker, were indicted on July 19 for allegedly submitting to EPA falsified test results on a product designed to repel squirrels and birds.  The tests were allegedly run on samples of a chemical formulation of the product that was different from the one the company currently markets.  Falsifying test results can create a chemical exposure risk that may have adverse health impacts.  If convicted, Stanley and Benjamin Baker each face maximum sentences of up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000.  The company faces a maximum fine of up to
$500,000 if convicted.  The case was investigated by EPA's Criminal Investigation Division, the FBI, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service Office of Inspector General and the Ohio Environmental Protection with the assistance of EPA's National Enforcement Investigations Center.  The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Cleveland.  An indictment is an accusation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Proposed changes in lorsban labeling to address EPA's concerns of agricultural worker risk (Posted 8/17/01)
From the Lorsban Reregistration Network:
Last June, EPA's final risk assessment of agricultural worker exposure risks for Lorsban concluded that many uses posed risks that exceeded EPA's level of concern. However, EPA's final risk assessment was based on a very conservative approach, which used an inappropriate toxicological endpoint, as well as unrefined assumptions about the use patterns. Dow AgroSciences has been working with EPA to review the science underlying the agricultural worker risk assessments in order to make appropriate protective risk management decisions in the interest of worker health. As a result of these efforts, most agricultural uses of Lorsban insecticides will be unaffected by label changes regarding agricultural worker exposure.

Label changes proposed to mitigate potential agricultural worker exposure concerns with Lorsban can be categorized into two broad areas:  (1) pesticide handler (mixer/loader/applicator) mitigation proposals and (2) agricultural worker re-entry requirements.

It is important to note that the following label changes are merely proposals and have not been accepted by the EPA:

Pesticide Handler Exposure Mitigation Proposals
Requirements in PPE for individuals mixing, loading or applying Lorsban-4E, Lorsban 4E-SG, Lock-On*, Lorsban 50WSP and Lorsban 15G insecticides remain the same as current labeling except for mixers and loaders for aerial applications and applicators using airblast application equipment.
*       Mixers and loaders for aerial applications of Lorsban-4E and Lorsban 4E-SG must use a mechanical transfer system for containers larger than 2.5 gallons to transfer the product from the container to the spray mix tank.
*       Airblast applicators must be in fully enclosed cabs, or if not in fully enclosed cabs, applicators must wear:
-Chemical resistant suits over long sleeve shirts and long-legged pants
-Chemical resistant hoods
-Full face respirators or half-face respirators with a face shield
-Chemical resistant footwear and socks
-If the ambient temperature exceeds 80 degrees F during daylight hours or 85 degrees F during nighttime  hours (sunset to sunrise) applicators must use cooled chemical resistant suits or other control methods to maintain an effective working environment.

Agricultural Worker Re-entry Requirements
Re-entry intervals (REI) for all uses of Lorsban insecticides will be 24 hours with the exception of the following uses:
*       Brassica (cauliflower, broccoli, etc.) - REI will likely increase from 24 hours to 3 days. Note: current REI for cauliflower is 10 days.
*       Citrus - The current REI for foliar applications of 5 days will be retained. Orchard floor applications will have an REI of 24 hours.
*       Fruit Trees - REI may increase to 5 days.
*       Nut Trees: REI for foliar applications may decrease from 2 days to 24 hours. Orchard floor applications will have an REI of 24 hours.
*       Sweet Corn: REI may increase from 24 hours to 2 days.
*       Sweet Potatoes: REI could decrease from 2 days to 24 hours.

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Lorsban Survey (Posted 8/17/01)
The Lorsban Reregistration Network recognizes that any proposed label changes (listed in the article above) could have an impact on the utility of Lorsban for a particular use. The Network would like you to evaluate any proposed label changes before EPA finalizes them. Please take a few moments to complete a short survey about potential label changes to address EPA's concerns about agricultural worker risk. The network will share your feedback with the EPA, as well as the USDA.  The agricultural worker risk mitigation survey can be completed on-line at:
http://websurveyor.net/wsb.dll/5462/WorkerRiskSurvey.htm

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EPA releases risk assessment for thiabendazole (Posted 8/17/01)
On August 1, 2001, EPA released risk assessment documents for a pesticide undergoing reregistration and tolerance reassessment:  thiabendazole.  EPA will accept comments on this risk assessment until October 1, 2001.  Thiabendazole is a fungicide registered to control fruit and vegetable diseases such as mold, rot, and stain.  It also is used as a post-harvest treatment on citrus and pome fruits, as well as on bananas, carrots, potatoes, green beans, sugar beets, avocados, and mushrooms.  It is used before planting on several crop seeds.  Other uses include treatment of ornamental bulbs and corms and reconstituted tobacco.  The risk assessment documents and brief summaries are available on EPA's web site  http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/thiabendazole .
The Federal Register notice announcing its availability is available on EPA's web site: www.epa.gov/fedrgstr .

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Voluntary resistance management labeling for agricultural pesticides (Posted on 17/01)
EPA has recently drafted guidelines for voluntary labeling that will help pesticide applicators prevent pest resistance.  When using the same, or similar, pesticides over time, there is a risk that target pests can become resistant to the pesticides.  If a grower does not have access to an alternative pesticide, the resistant pests can devastate the grower's crops.  To avoid pest resistance, growers should avoid repeating the use of pesticides with a similar mode of action or target site of action.  The mode or target site of action is the mechanism by which the pesticide affects the target pest.  For example, one pesticide may disrupt an insect's nervous system, whereas another will inhibit the insect's ability to digest nutrients.  If a pest population becomes resistant to a pesticide with a particular mode or target site of action, then the pests may be resistant to other pesticides that act in the same way.  By using a variety of pesticides that act differently, the grower can avoid pest resistance.

Canada and the US developed these guidelines under NAFTA to ensure that labels on pesticide products in both countries provide consistent information on preventing insect resistance.   The guidelines recommend that industry voluntarily develop standard language on product labels for providing this information.  In addition, the guidelines recommend that industry adopt a standard classification system.  The classification system would identify the pesticide's mode or target site of action, which would be indicated by a number on the front panel of a pesticide product label.  Also, product labels should present resistance management statements in the "General" section of  "Use Directions."  The draft guideline is available on EPA's web site at www.epa.gov/pesticides  and http://www.epa.gov/opppmsd1/PR_Notices/pr2001-5.pdf

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First Major Alternatives To Methyl Bromide. (Posted 8/17/01)
InLine® and Telone®, classified as methyl bromide alternatives, have received significant label improvements (former 300 ft. buffer reduced to 100 ft.) that will increase their usefulness to U.S. strawberry and tomato growers. Both products contain the same active ingredients (1,3 dichloropropene and chloropicrin). InLine is formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate for application through drip-tapes installed on bed tops under plastic mulch. This application technology (developed by USDA-ARS in Fresno, California and Dow AgroSciences) gives excellent performance and reduces the potential for emissions to move off site. The other Telone products are typically shank-injected and used in Florida. Results from IR-4's Methyl Bromide Alternatives Program clearly show the value of InLine in California and Telone in Florida. Efficacy, yields, and crop values were equal to or better than methyl bromide/chloropicrin when InLine and Telone were coupled with weed control partners like metam sodium or Basamid.

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NAFTA Pesticide Registration Workshop Identifies "Minor Use" As One Of Six Significant Issues On Which To Focus. (Posted 8/17/01)
An April NAFTA Workshop provided a forum where Canada, Mexico and U.S. growers and registrants jointly developed strategies and common goals toward harmonization of pesticide registrations. Recommendations and action plans are being developed on 6 registration issues to be presented to the NAFTA Technical Working Group. The issues include: minor use, equal access to products, synchronization of the registration process, harmonization/mutual acceptance of maximum residue levels, education exchange/communication, and Technical Working Group structure. For more information, contact Dr. Dan Kunkel, kunkel@aesop.rutgers.edu.

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Chlorpyrifos product cancellations proposed (Posted 8/17/01)
EPA has proposed to cancel or modify registrations for 94 products containing the pesticide chlorpyrifos.  Companies holding end-use registrations for pesticide products containing chlorpyrifos have requested that EPA cancel or modify their registrations to meet the terms of the June 2000 agreement between EPA and the registrants to reduce risks associated with the use of chlorpyrifos.  EPA's announcement lists 76 products that will be canceled and 18 products for which labels will be modified to delete uses affected by the agreement.  The agreement requires deletion of the following uses:

all termite control uses (these will be phased out and the concentration of chlorpyrifos in the products will be limited during the phase-out);

all residential uses (except for ant and roach baits in child resistant packaging (CRP) and fire ant mound drenches for public health purposes by licensed applicators and mosquito control for public health purposes by public health agencies);

all indoor non-residential uses (except ship holds, industrial plants, manufacturing plants, food processing plants, containerized baits in CRP, and processed wood manufacturing site or at the mill);

all outdoor non-residential sites (except golf courses, road medians, industrial plant sites, fence posts, utility poles, railroad ties, landscape timbers, logs, pallets, wooden containers, poles, posts, processed wood products, manhole covers, and underground utility cable and conduits; and

fire ant mound drenches for public health purposes by licensed applicators and mosquito control for public health purposes by public health agencies).

Information about the agreement to reduce risks associated with use of chlorpyrifos can be found on EPA's web site at www.epa.gov/pesticides/announcement6800.htm
The Federal Register notice announcing these proposed product cancellations is available at
www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2001/June/Day-27/p16125.htm

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Vinclozolin tolerance revocations proposed (Posted 8/17/01)
On July 10, 2001, EPA published a  notice in the Federal Register proposing revocation of tolerances for strawberries, stone fruits, cucumbers, and bell peppers.  This proposal follows issuance of EPA's October 2000 Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the pesticide vinclozolin, which called for changes to the uses of this pesticide due to risks exceeding EPA's level of concern.  All food uses of vinclozolin except canola have been eliminated or scheduled for phase-out.  The application of the pesticide vinclozolin on strawberries and stonefruit became unlawful after January 30, 2000.  The tolerances for cucumbers and bell peppers were established for importation purposes only (i.e., the pesticide was not registered for use in the United States).  EPA will take comments on these proposed tolerance revocations until September 10, 2001 and will issue a final rule after public comments are considered.  EPA expects the tolerance revocation to be effective on the date of final publication.  Vinclozolin info is available at www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/status.htm

FDA has concurrently published a notice of availability of a draft guidance document presenting FDA's policy for implementing the channels of trade provision for vinclozolin.  Foods legally treated with vinclozolin may continue to be marketed under the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).  The channels of trade provision of FFDCA allows for the presence of pesticide residue on commodities that were treated before the tolerance revocation becomes effective.  This guidance will assist firms in understanding the types of information on treatment of affected commodities that FDA may find satisfactory in accordance with its planned enforcement approach.  EPA and FDA are cooperating on this effort.  The FDA proposal is available at
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a010710c.html

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CCA-treated wood (Posted 8/17/01)
Throughout the summer consumers can expect to find improved safety handling information when using wood pressure-treated with chromated copper arsenicals (CCA), a wood preservative that contains arsenic. EPA has completed its review of a plan developed by the American Wood Preservers Institute (AWPI) to strengthen information available to consumers for CCA-treated wood, which is widely used for many outdoor applications including decks, fences, posts, picnic tables, docks, and playground equipment. The expanded consumer information program begins immediately, and by early fall will include labeling on all pieces of CCA-treated lumber, in-store displays and additional information available to the public.

     "Now consumers will understand that this treated wood contains arsenic," said Stephen Johnson, EPA Assistant Administrator.  CCA, a chemical containing arsenic, is used to pressure-treat wood to protect it against decay and insect damage. EPA learned that the previous consumer awareness program was not adequately informing the public, and in May EPA asked the wood preservative industry and the public to propose ways to enhance the consumer awareness program to ensure adequate information reaches consumers. EPA's comments on the AWPI proposal are available at: www.epa.gov/pesticides

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Fury and Mustang misuse in southern wheat (Posted 8/17/01)
Since early June, EPA and FDA, in cooperation with EPA Regional Offices, USDA, and State regulatory officials, has been investigating incidents in which the restricted use pesticide zeta-cypermethrin (registered by FMC under the trade names Fury and Mustang) was illegally applied to 6,458 acres of wheat in Arkansas and 18,271 acres in Mississippi.  Possible misuse of the compound on other crops in Tennessee is also being investigated at this time.

Zeta-cypermethrin is not registered for use on wheat and no wheat tolerances are established, so any detectable residues on wheat would make a treated crop adulterated.  State agencies have detected residues on some of the treated wheat well above the existing tolerance for zeta-cypermethrin on cotton. EPA has been working closely with Federal and State officials to determine the dimensions of the misuse, to coordinate a response within EPA and with the other concerned federal agencies, and to work with States and regional and field offices of FDA to make sure the adulterated wheat does not enter commerce.

On June 11th, EPA and FDA issued a joint letter to EPA Regions and the States for distribution to farmers warning them not to move the contaminated wheat into the market or feed it to animals.  On Thursday, June 14th, EPA, FDA, and State officials signed an agreement with the registrant of zeta-cypermethrin whereby the registrant agreed to: (1) notify all affected growers of the company's plans to purchase their adulterated wheat; (2) purchase all wheat from the growers identified by the State regulatory officials; (3) notify FDA and EPA immediately of growers refusing to sell their adulterated wheat; (4) monitor the harvest to ensure that the adulterated wheat does not enter interstate commerce; (5) store the wheat in segregated and secured facilities (either on growers' farms or in contracted commercial facilities);and, (6) be responsible for ensuring that this wheat not be released into interstate commerce unless and until FDA, in consultation with EPA and USDA, provides clearances following review of testing results generated by using FDA-approved methods. EPA has concluded that the residues of zeta-cypermethrin in/on wheat and its processed commodities do not pose a dietary risk once the levels in the raw agricultural commodity (RAC) fall below the detection limit of 0.02 ppm.

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Thiamethoxam products registered(Posted 8/17/01)
EPA recently approved two new Syngenta insecticides containing thiamethoxam.
PLATINUM is a soil applied product for use on the following crop/pest combinations:
*Cucurbits:   Aphids, flea beetles, and white flies
*Fruiting Vegetables (including tomato, certain peppers, eggplant, groundcherry, pepino and tomotillo):   Aphids, flea beetles, Colorado potato beetle, and white flies
*Tuberous & Corm Vegetables (including potato, sweet potato, yams, yam bean, arrachaca arrowroot, Chinese artichoke, Jerusalem artichoke, canna, bitter and sweet cassava, chayote (root), chufa dasheen, ginger, leren, tanier, turmeric):  Colorado Potato Beetle, potato leafhoppers, aphids, flea beetles, and potato psyllid

ACTERA is a foliar applied product for use on the following crop/pest combinations:
*Cucurbits:   Aphids, flea beetles, white flies and stinkbugs
*Fruiting Vegetables (including tomato, certain peppers, eggplant, groundcherry, pepino and tomotillo):   Aphids, flea beetles, Colorado potato beetle, white flies, pepper weevil, stinkbugs
*Tuberous & Corm Vegetables (including potato, sweet potato, yams, yam bean, arrachaca arrowroot, Chinese artichoke, Jerusalem artichoke, canna, bitter and sweet cassava, chayote (root), chufa dasheen, ginger, leren, tanier, turmeric):  Colorado Potato Beetle, Potato Leafhoppers
*Pome Fruit (including apples, crabapples, loquat, mayhaw and quince): Apple aphid, apple grain aphid, rosy apple aphid, leafminers, mullenbug, leafhoppers, plum curculio and European sawfly
*Pear & Oriental Pears:   Pear psylla, apple aphid, plum curculio, comstock mealybug, leafhoppers

Please refer to the product labels for rates, rotational restrictions and other important information.

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Disinfectant Product Approved Against Foot and Mouth Disease Control.
Benomyl Critical Uses Identified.
Fluroxypyr Reduced Risk Herbicide
Risks, Mitigation Strategies Discussed for Tetrachlorvinphos.
Permethrin Impregnated Mattress Liners for Dust Mites.
EUP for Termite Control Barrier, Impasse is Issued.
Archive

Disinfectant Product Approved Against Foot and Mouth Disease Control (posted 6/27/01).
Use of a disinfectant product, Aoxonia Active@, against the FMD virus on hard nonporous inanimate surfaces has been conditionally approved.  This Ecolab product is a combination of hydrogen peroxide and peroxyacetic acid.  It is intended for use in livestock facilities as a hard surface treatment of premises and equipment.  Animal quarter treatment is one method of preventing the spread of FMD virus.

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Benomyl Critical Uses Identified  (posted 6/27/01).
Eight crops have been identified as potentially being adversely affected by cancellation of Benomyl.  DuPont has already ceased production and has moved all its stocks into the channels of trade.  The crops likely to be adversely affected include canola, citrus, grapes, garlic, mushrooms, pistachios, crucifers, and tomatoes.  EPA anticipates granting Dupont's request to sell and distribute existing stocks of canceled benomyl products until June 30, 2001, and accepting their suggestion that the EPA permit sale of existing stocks of products in the channels of trade until December 31, 2002.

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Fluroxypyr Reduced Risk Herbicide  (posted 6/27/01)
Dow Herbicide, Fluroxypyr, received a reduced risk status for new uses in corn, and on grain sorghum, range pastureland and turf on June 5, 2001.  Dow claims that use of fluroxypyr to control volunteer potatoes on corn reduces potential infection sources for adjacent (actual) potato fields. The volunteer potatoes if left to grow in corn fields, since they are untreated, would be potential sources for late blight and tobacco mosaic virus for nearby potato fields. With a reduced source of infection, potato growers need to apply less fungicides (mancozeb, chlorothalonil, maneb) for late blight and less insecticides (methamidophos, endosulfan, dimethoate)  to control aphids, a vector for tobacco mosaic virus. Three years of Section 18 use data supplied by Dow support this claim. In addition fluroxypyr is an alternative for 2,4-D, dicamba, MCPA, and atrazine in southern turf; an alternative for atrazine, dicamba, and 2,4-D to control kocia in sorghum; and an alternative for 2,4-D, dicamba, and picloram for use on range pastureland.

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Risks, Mitigation Strategies Discussed for Tetrachlorvinphos  (posted 6/27/01).
On June 14, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, one of two joint registrants, met with EPA to discuss risk and plan mitigation strategies for tetrachlorvinphos.  Occupational uses on poultry using backpack sprayers and low pressure hand wands were areas of concern discussed.  Mitigation options were proposed and could possibly be implemented in the near future.  Tetrachlorviphos is used for livestock and pet treatments.  The compound is jointly registered by Boehringer Ingelheim and Hartz Mountain Corporation.  Boehringer has the registration for occupational uses (livestock) and Hartz has the registration for residential uses (pet).  All crop uses were canceled.  This meeting discussed only occupational uses.  A meeting with Hartz to discuss residential uses will be held.

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Permethrin Impregnated Mattress Liners for Dust Mites  (posted 6/27/01).
EPA has issued a conditional registration to Protec Health International, Ltd. for use of an impregnated mattress liner for the control of dust mites on mattresses. The liner consists of multi-filament fiber netting material impregnated with 1.64% permethrin. The use instructions indicate to fit the liner over the mattress and remove the liner after eight weeks, then vacuum the mattress throughly and leave undisturbed for up to two years. EPA assessed dermal exposure from this mattress liner to adults and children and concluded that the figures were acceptable.  Since the database for permethrin is currently undergoing reregistration, assessment of aggregate exposure has not been conducted for these types of bedding treatments and there is a potential for oral exposure on mattresses for young children, however, EPA imposed additional use restrictions as an added safety factor. These include prohibition of use on bedding (mattresses) of children five years old or less and the recommendation for use of an additional layer (sheet) between the mattress liner and bottom bed sheet.

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EUP for Termite Control Barrier, Impasse is Issued  (posted 6/27/01).
EPA has issued an experimental use permit to Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc. for evaluation of a new pesticide barrier for new home pre-treatment of termites.  Impasse Barrier is a novel product that is being evaluated to protect new housing from termite damage.  The Impasse Barrier System consists of a multi-layer polymer sheet containing the active ingredient lambda-cyhalothrin.  It is designed to be laid beneath the foundation of houses prior to construction in order to protect structures from termite damage by creating a barrier that subterranean termites cannot penetrate.  The product design should also minimize handler exposure and environmental risks when compared to conventional liquid soil applied termiticides.

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Dr. Susan P. Whitney
swhitney@udel.edu