Comments in Response to Risk Mitigation Options for EBDC Fungicide Use on Papayas in Hawaii: Re-Entry Interval (REI) and Protective Clothing
Date: June 29, 2005
To: Rick Melnicoe
WIPMC
Director
From: Cathy Tarutani
American-affiliated Pacific Islands (API) Comment Coordinator
University of Hawaii
Honolulu, HI 96822
Subject: Papaya EBDC REI — Protective Clothing
Rick,
A copy of the exchange between Wayne Nishijima and Rick Michell is attached. The picture is also attached.
Those are Wayne's responses (in red) under the questions.
Cathy
Cathy Tarutani
Phone: (808) 956-2004
Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences
3190 Maile Way, St John 307
University of Hawaii
Honolulu, HI 96822
E-mail Correspondence
(Responses in red from Wayne Nishijima)
To: Wayne Nishijima
County Administrator, Island of Hawaii
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Komohana Ag Complex
875 Komohana St.
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 981-5199
Fax: ( 808) 981-5211
From: Richard Michell, Ph.D.
Plant Pathologist-Nematologist
BEAD, USEPA
Phone: (703) 308-8119
Fax: (703) 308-8091
Subject: Papaya EBDC REI — Protective Clothing
Date: June 29, 2005
CC: Jane Tollinger
Cathy Tarutani
Wayne,
I have two additional quick questions, as follows:
1. Do the papaya harvesters wear any clothing that would reduce dermal exposure to EBDC treated surfaces?
Yes, most (can't say all) wear long-sleeve shirts.
2. I understand that papaya growers in Florida sometime remove leaves in the immediate vicinity of developing fruit. Is this done by Hawaiian growers?
Yes, this is referred to as "trimming leaves" so they can get less interference by leaves when spraying fungicides on the fruits. We caution them not to trim too much, otherwise photosynthetic ability is reduced. Typically growers do this every 4 to 6 months. Leaves are not handled. Growers use a long bladed knife or sickle to cut off the long (24 - 36"), hollow, brittle petioles and leave a stub about 12 inches long. A quick flick of the wrist will easily cut the petioles, and the leaves fall to the ground.
Attached is a photo of papaya field to give you an idea of the situation.--Wayne
Richard Michell, Ph.D.
Plant Pathologist-Nematologist
BEAD, USEPA
Phone: (703) 308-8119
Fax: (703) 308-8091
