The Dirt on Pesticides. . .

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking steps to eliminate diazinon—a pesticide that is part of the organophosphate family—a common household and outdoor pesticide used to control insects and grub worms. The agency’s steps come following a ban issued by the EPA last summer on another organophosphate, chlorpyrifos.

Organophosphates, part of the same family of chemicals as the saran nerve gas used during World War II, have been linked to central and peripheral nervous system damage. In addition, overexposure to organophosphates can induce the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, and general malaise. The chemicals present a particular risk of harm to children and also can create special risks for people working around the pesticides.

The EPA has chosen to phase out diazinon because it is the leading cause of acute pesticide poisoning in the United States. Children can be exposed to the pesticide through vapor or particle inhalation or dermal contact. By targeting diazinon, the agency hopes to decrease the risk of acute pesticide poisoning, since diazinon is one of the most widely used pesticides with over 13 million pounds applied annually.

The EPA will phase-out the use of diazinon for indoor use first. The agency requested that manufacturers stop production in March of this year, and retail sales are set to stop by December 2002. Outdoor use will be discontinued by ceasing production in June 2003 and ending distribution to retailers will in August 2003. Retail sales will end by December 2003. These steps will eliminate about 70 percent of diazinon’s use. The pesticide is produced by Makhteshim Agan and Sygenta and sold under hundreds of trade names, including Othro Diazinon Granules, Creep Out, Agway Diazinon Insect Spray, Bug-B-Gon Ready Spray, and Turf Builder Plus Insect Control.

The other 30 percent of diazinon is used on crops. The EPA plans to discontinue use on various crops as well. The agency will not phase-out use on all crops because it claims that its risk assessment of the pesticide reveals that the risks associated with ingestion are not outweighed by eliminating the pesticide’s use. Approved uses include continued use on bananas, cattle, sheep, citrus, olives, peppers, and tomatoes. In addition, producers of 40 other domestic crops will still be allowed to use diazinon. However, the use of the pesticide will be discontinued on the following domestically produced crops: alfalfa, bananas, dried beans, Bermuda grass, celery, radicchio, citrus, clover, coffee, cotton, cow peas, cucumbers, dandelions, kiwi, lespedeza, parsley, parsnips, Irish and sweet potatoes, sorghum, spinach, summer and winter squash, strawberries, Swiss chard, tobacco, tomatoes, and turnips. In addition, the use of the pesticide on pastures, rangeland, and in food products for sheep will no longer be permitted.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic