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EPA Pesticide Program Updates: April 10, 2002Pesticide Program Update from EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs, April 10, 2002
IN THIS UPDATE:
EPA Helps Mexico Launch National Pesticide Safety Training ProgramAs a result of a unique collaboration between Mexican and United States Federal and State governments, Mexico has launched a national pesticide safety training program that will help protect the health and safety of the agricultural workforce in Mexico, as well as the large portion of the United States' agricultural workforce that migrates from Mexico. In February and March, Mexico conducted two 3-day workshops designed to teach local outreach, public health, and agricultural specialists how to train agricultural workers about pesticide risks. This training program is the culmination of a year-long collaborative effort among Mexico's Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Labor, and Environment, and the State Plant Protection Committee of Guanajuato. With the collaboration of EPA and the University of California at Davis's Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, Mexico is developing these "train-the-trainer" courses as part of a project to disseminate pesticide safety information to farmworkers throughout Mexico. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement, Mexico and the United States are working together to develop a complementary framework for protecting agricultural workers and the environment from the potential risks posed by pesticides.During the interactive workshops, which were conducted in Spanish, selected participants in the states of Morelos and Sinaloa learned about risks of pesticide exposure, including how to identify signs and symptoms of exposure; proper handling, storing, and disposing of pesticide products; and environmental impacts and hazards associated with using pesticides. The participants were also instructed on regulations regarding pesticide labels and occupational safety standards for people who work with and handle pesticides in Mexico. In addition to learning what pesticide information to deliver to agricultural workers throughout Mexico, participants were taught how to train these populations. Representatives from EPA, UC Davis, and the Texas Department of Agriculture assisted officials from Mexico in conducting these initial workshops. Officials will use these pilots to refine the curriculum and training materials, which will then be used for conducting such workshops throughout Mexico. Ultimately, the United States and Mexico hope to have similar training programs and resources that they can exchange. For more information on the Mexico Train-the-Trainer project, contact Grace Robiou at 703-305-7666. EPA Releases Risk Assessment for Molinate (Comments Deadline June 3, 2002)On April 2, 2002, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the preliminary risk assessment documents for molinate, a pesticide undergoing reregistration and tolerance reassessment. EPA will accept comments on the preliminary human health and ecological effects risk assessments and related documents until June 3, 2002. These documents are available in the public docket and on EPA's web site.Molinate, a thiocarbamate herbicide, is registered for use on rice for the control of watergrass. The risk assessment for this chemical was developed as part of EPA's process for making pesticide reregistration eligibility decisions and tolerance reassessments consistent with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA). EPA is seeking to strengthen stakeholder involvement and help ensure that EPA's decisions under FQPA are transparent and based on the best available information. The Federal Register notice announcing the availability is available on EPA's web site. Methoxychlor Tolerance Revocations Proposed (Comments Deadline June 3, 2002)On April 4, 2002, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a proposed rule to revoke 79 tolerances for residues of the pesticide methoxychlor, a member of the organochlorine class of pesticides. The Agency has significant concerns with the effects of methyoxychlor on human health and the environment and is unable make a finding that existing tolerances for methoxychlor are safe. Furthermore, as of June 26, 2000, all product registrations of methoxychlor were either suspended due to registrants' noncompliance with a Data Call-In notice requirements or canceled pursuant to the registrants' voluntary cancellation request.EPA is proposing that the tolerances for methoxychlor be revoked upon publication of the final rule. EPA believes that all existing stocks of pesticide products labeled for the uses associated with the tolerances proposed for revocation havealready been exhausted since such products have been suspended since June 26, 2000. Without a tolerance or exemption from the requirement for a tolerance, food containing pesticide residues is considered to be unsafe and therefore adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). Such food may not be distributed in interstate commerce. The tolerance revocations in this proposal are designed to ensure that both domestically produced and imported foods meet the food safety standards established by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). This proposed rule provides a comment period of 60 days for any person to state an interest in retaining a tolerance proposed for revocation. If EPA receives a comment within the 60-day period to that effect, EPA will not proceed to revoke the tolerance immediately. However, EPA will take steps to ensure the submission of any needed supporting data and will issue an order in the Federal Register. EPA must receive comments, identified by docket control number OPP-301226 on or before June 3, 2002. The Federal Register notice, which provides more information on the affected tolerances and how to submit comments is available on EPA's web site. Information on status of tolerance reassessment is also available on the web.
Note: For general questions on pesticides and pesticide poisoning prevention, contact the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network (NPTN), toll-free, at: 1-800-858-7378, by e-mail at nptn@ace.orst.edu, or by visiting their Web site. For information about ongoing activities in the Office of Pesticide Programs, visit OPPs home page. Or call or write OPP directly at: Communication Services Branch |
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 Western Integrated Pest Management Center Pest Management Centers are sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service |
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