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EPA Pesticide Program Updates: December 6, 2001Pesticide Program Update from EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs, December 6, 2001 IN THIS UPDATE:
Interim Risk Management Decision Document for Organophosphorus Pesticide, ChlorpyrifosOn November 13, 2001, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of the Interim Risk Management Decision (IRED) document for the organophosphorus pesticide, chlorpyrifos. EPA will accept public comments on the interim risk management decision document until January 14, 2001. The release of this IRED is the latest in a series of actions EPA has taken to ensure that chlorpyrifos and other organophosphorus pesticides meet the safety standard established under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). With mitigation eliminating homeowner's and children's exposure around the home and the phaseout of the termiticide uses, chlorpyrifos fits into its own "risk cup."EPA assessed the risks of chlorpyrifos and reached an interim risk management decision for this organophosphorus pesticide. Chlorpyrifos is registered for use on numerous food crops (corn, beans, peas, sugar beets, cole crops, cucurbits, tree fruits, tree nuts, grapes, and berries, among others). The results of this risk assessment show that chlorpyrifos residues in food and drinking water do not pose risk concerns. With additional mitigation measures, ecological risks for non-endangered species and worker risks will be acceptable, taking into account the benefits of remaining uses. EPA has determined that all currently registered uses of chlorpyrifos, except open-pour dust formulations, may continue until the cumulative risks for all of the organophosphorus pesticides have been considered. EPA is currently working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service on how best to evaluate and address any remaining risk issues related to endangered species. EPA's next step is to consider the cumulative risks of the organophosphorus pesticides, which share a common mechanism of toxicity. The interim risk management decision document on chlorpyrifos cannot be considered final until this consideration of organophosphorus cumulative risks is complete. When the cumulative risks of the organophosphorus pesticides have been considered, EPA will issue its final tolerance reassessment decision for chlorpyrifos; which would reflect any further risk mitigation needed. This decision document has been developed as part of the public participation
process that EPA and United States Department of Agriculture are now using
to involve the public in the reassessment of pesticide tolerances brought
about by the FQPA, and the re- registration of individual organophosphorus
pesticides under the FIFRA. The IRED is available in the Pesticide
Docket (703-305- 5805), located on EPA's website. Comments, identified
by docket control number OPP-34203G, must be received by EPA on or before
January 14, 2002. 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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