Comments Sought for Mancozeb Mitigation Measures by July 20, 2005

Date: June 29, 2005

To: Western IPM Center

From: Rick Melnicoe
WIPMC Director

Dear Colleagues,

I received the following request for information from USDA. Would you please comment/answer questions where appropriate? Those of you in the Pacific Northwest should coordinate replies with Jane Thomas.

Jane M. Thomas
Pacific Northwest Coalition Comment Coordinator
Pesticide Notification Network Coordinator
Pest Management Resource Service
Washington State University Tri-Cities
2710 University Drive
Richland, WA 99352
Phone: (509) 372-7493
Fax: (509) 372-7491

Please reply to me or directly to Dhol (with a cc to me) by July 20, 2005. It would be helpful in tracking these if you would let me know that this is not pertinent to your state and that no formal reply will be forthcoming.

As always, thank you for your assistance.

Regards and Happy 4th of July.

Rick

Rick Melnicoe
Director, Western Integrated Pest Management Center
Director, Office of Pesticide Information and Coordination (UC Statewide Pesticide Coordinator)
One Shields Avenue
4249 Meyer Hall (FedEx Deliveries only)
University of California
Davis, CA 95616-8588
Telephone: (530) 754-8378
FAX: (530) 754-8379

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Date: June 28, 2005

From: Dhol Herzi
USDA

Good Day!

EPA is looking at considering mitigation measures for mancozeb. For workers (applicators/handlers), they are considering the use of PPE (single layer and PF 5 respirator) for most crops. This is an improvement to the current double layer required on the label. For turf, they may require the use of water soluble packs and for seed treatments a closed capture system for dust formulations.

The current Re-Entry Interval (REI) is 24 hours for all crops. For most crops, they are proposing a change, for others they need your feedback to understand the cultural practices relative to mancozeb application.

Listed below are the suggested REIs, and questions, for each crop. If a crop is not listed, the REI will not be changed. Please let me know if there are activities growers need to do that this REI would inhibit.

Proposed REIs:

• Greenhouse cut flowers: 3 or 4 days (when do workers perform high contact activities?)
• Cranberry: 2 days
• Banana: 2 days
• Tobacco (field): 2 days
• Apples: What is the maximum feasible REI? What activities follow an application?
• Christmas trees: What is the maximum feasible REI? How soon after application do growers shear trees?
• Turf: When do workers need to enter? What activities?
• Potatoes, Sugar Beets: Is there any hand harvesting? What is the maximum feasible REI? What activities need to be done following an application?
• Asparagus: 1 day
• Cucurbits: What is the maximum feasible REI? What activites need to be conducted following an application of mancozeb?
• Tomato: 1 - 2 days
• Grapes: What is the maximum fesible REI? How soon after application do workers need to enter? What activities?

Let me know if you have any questions.

Dhol Herzi
Agricultural Economist
Office of Pest Management Policy, USDA
Room 3861
1400 Independence Ave., SW
SOAGRIBG
Washington D.C. 20250
Phone: (202) 720-2664
Fax: (202) 720-3191
Web site