CONTENTS
(1)    ATRAZINE: COMMENTS REQUESTED ON RISK MITIGATION 
(2)    METHIDATHION REREGISTRATION
(3)    BUSH PROCLAIMS JUNE NATIONAL PEST MANAGEMENT MONTH
(4)    IR-4 PROGRAM
(5)    METHYL BROMIDE ON CUT FLOWERS.
(6)    IR-4 AND SECTION 18'S
(7)    NEW METHYL BROMIDE ALTERNATIVE - FURFURAL
(8)    PESTICIDE CANDIDATES FOR RISK MANAGEMENT DECISIONS
(9)   TOLERANCE REVOCATIONS COMPLETED FOR  NICOTINE
(10)  REASSESSMENT OF NON-CONTRIBUTING OP TOLERANCES
(11)  FACT SHEET ON WEST NILE VIRUS
(12)  BALTIMORE MAN DIES OF WEST NILE VIRUS
(13)  ENDOSULFAN TASK FORCE DISCUSSES MITIGATION. 
(14)  NEW PESTICIDE APPLICATION EQUIPMENT 
(15)  STARLINK CORN DETECTED IN US AID FOOD
(16)  VINCLOZOLIN TOLERANCE REVOCATIONS.  CHANNELS OF TRADE PROVISIONS 
(17)  DIFENZOQUAT, DIQUAT DIBROMIDE, FENBUTATIN-OXIDE, NORFLURAZON 
        TOLERANCE REASSESSMENT
(18)  OP REVISED CUMULATIVE RISK ASSESSMENT 
(19)  METHYL AND ETHYL PARATHION TOLERANCE REVOCATIONS
(20)  PROPANIL TOLERANCE REASSESSMENT AND PRELIMINARY RISK ASSESSMENT 
(21)  LINURON
(22)  FENBUTATIN-OXIDE AND NORFLUORAZON
(23)  CARBENDAZIM (MBC) IN PAINT
(24)  METAM SODIUM, METHYL BROMIDE ALTERNATIVE
(25)  PROPYLENE OXIDE, METHYL BROMIDE ALTERNATIVE. 

(1) ATRAZINE RISK ASSESSMENTS ARE RELEASED; COMMENTS REQUESTED ON RISK MITIGATION
       EPA has announced the availability of the revised human health and environmental fate and effects risk assessments for atrazine. Comments will be taken until July 5, 2002.  The public is invited to submit risk mitigation ideas and proposals. EPA plans to complete an Interim Reregistration Eligibility Decision (IRED) for atrazine in early August. 

      One of the most widely used agricultural pesticides in the U.S., atrazine is registered to control weeds in field and sweet corn, sorghum, sugarcane, and other agricultural crops, as well as on residential lawns and turf.  Although it is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans, atrazine has been associated with causing imbalances in hormone levels, possibly disrupting reproductive and developmental processes. EPA has concerns regarding some exposures to atrazine, including possible risks from consuming drinking water from certain community water systems and some rural wells in atrazine use areas and possible risks from contact with recently treated lawns. The atrazine risk assessments and related documents are available from EPA’s website at:  http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/reregistration/atrazine .  The Federal Register notice is available at: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2002/May/Day-06/p11159.htm

      You may submit comments through the mail, in person, or electronically. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify docket control number OPP-34237C in the subject line on the first page of your response.  Submit comments to: Public Information and Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460.  Let me know if you need help submitting comments.

(2) METHIDATHION REREGISTRATION
      EPA has announced the availability of the Interim Reregistration Eligibility Decision document for methidathion (Supracide, Ultracide, Suprathion).  This interim decision was developed as part of the OP pilot public participation process that EPA and USDA are now using for involving the public in the reassessment of pesticide tolerances under FQPA and the reregistration of individual OP’s under FIFRA.

     Used on a variety of agricultural crops, predominantly alfalfa, citrus, and cotton, methidathion residues in food and drinking water do not pose risk concerns. Methidathion has no residential uses.  EPA considered the mitigation proposal submitted by the technical registrant, as well as comments and mitigation ideas from other interested parties, and has decided on a number of label amendments (restrictions) to reduce risks of concern posed by the uses of methidathion.  With the implementation of these changes, methidathion's worker and ecological risks also will be below levels of concern for reregistration.  The methidathion interim risk management decision documents released to the public are available on EPA's web site http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/op/methidathion.htm

(3) PRESIDENT BUSH PROCLAIMS JUNE NATIONAL PEST MANAGEMENT MONTH
       President Bush has proclaimed June as National Pest Management Month, acknowledging the serious threat that pests pose to human health and property.  Pests such as termites cause more than $2 billion in damage to American homes per year.

       “Research has found that cockroaches and other pests are significant factors in many serious illnesses,” said Cynthia Mannes, Director of Public Affairs for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).  “Pests transmit or aggravate West Nile Virus, Asthma and Lyme Disease.  National Pest Management Month was designed to make the public aware of these dangers and give them the information they need to protect their homes and families.”  Cockroach and mice allergens can aggravate asthma in children, especially in the inner city, according to research conducted by Johns Hopkins University and other leading research institutions.  Mannes recommends that homeowners consult a pest management professional to inspect their homes for signs of insect or rodent infestation.  A professional can treat the home to remove pests or offer homeowners tips for prevent infestation.

(5) METHYL BROMIDE ON CUT FLOWERS.
       IR-4 research data will be supporting the efforts of the California Cut Flower Commission in obtaining a Critical Use Exemption (CUE). If approved, the CUE will allow continued use of methyl bromide beyond the scheduled 2005 phase out date. Dr. Jack Norton, MBA Program Manager, met with the California Cut Flower Commission in May to help prepare the CUE and plan field programs to support this effort for California cut flowers. IR-4 is actively involved in field research programs designed to find suitable methyl bromide replacements for the cut flower industry. For more information contact Dr. Jack Norton, norton@aesop.rutgers.edu.

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EPA has proposed three reforms to the Section 18 process.
Renewable exemptions:
States would have the ability to “re-certify” the emergency situation for up to 2 years following initial EPA authorization.
Exemptions for resistance management:
An emergency exemption would be allowed for an alternative to be used in conjunction with the registered pesticide where there is documented scientific evidence that resistance has or is developing, even thought significant economic loss may not yet be evident.
Defining economic loss:
A tiered set of criteria would be used to simplify the determination of significant economic loss.

The reforms are expected to be published in the Federal Register for public comment during summer, 2002 and will be implemented, on an interim basis, for the 2003 growing season. For more information contact Dr. Robert Holm, holm@aesop.rutgers.edu.

(7) NEW METHYL BROMIDE ALTERNATIVE - FURFURAL
      EPA has been talking with Harborchem, potential registrants of a new methyl bromide
alternative, furfural.  Furfural has been declared as "generally regarded as safe" (GRAS) by FDA and is found in many food items, including bread and coffee.  As a methyl bromide alternative, it acts as a nematode repellent.  Initial efficacy work by IR-4 shows good potential for furfural in nematode control.  EPA offered the company advice as they continue to develop their registration application.  EPA will likely receive an application for this new methyl bromide alternative in late 2002/early 2003.

(8) EPA LISTS PESTICIDE CANDIDATES FOR RISK MANAGEMENT DECISIONS THROUGH FY 2003. 
       EPA has released a list of pesticides for which reregistration and/or tolerance reassessment decisions may be completed during the rest of FY 2002 through FY 2003.  This information is available on the EPA website at
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/candidates.htm

(9) TOLERANCE REVOCATIONS COMPLETED FOR  NICOTINE
       On May 22, 2002, EPA published a rule revoking 66 specific tolerances for residues of the insecticide nicotine because all registrations for these pesticide uses have been canceled.  The only remaining food uses for nicotine are cucumbers, lettuce, and tomatoes.  The notice with details of these revocations is available on EPA's web site:   http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2002/May/Day-22/p12423.htm . These tolerance revocations will be effective on August 20, 2002. 

(10) EPA PUBLISHES FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ON REASSESSMENT OF NON-CONTRIBUTING ORGANOPHOSPHATE TOLERANCES

       On May 22, EPA announced reassessment of 275 OP tolerances that do not contribute to risk.  This action is part of its review of OP and other pesticide tolerances under FQPA.  EPA considers these tolerances reassessed.  The 275 OP non-contributor tolerances make at most a negligible contribution to the cumulative risk from the OP pesticides.  These tolerances result in minimal or no detectable residues in food and are expected to have negligible effects through drinking water.  They therefore meet the FQPA safety standard in section 408(b) (2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and can be considered reassessed.  For more information, go to:
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2002/May/Day-22/p12713.htm

(11) NEW FACT SHEET ON WEST NILE VIRUS
Go to:  http://www.ncpmc.org/NewsAlerts/2002WestNileAlert.pdf
Let me know if you get questions on West Nile Virus or mosquito control.

(12)  BALTIMORE MAN DIES OF WEST NILE VIRUS
       The Baltimore Sun reported on June 1, 2002 that John C. Wood was the city's first victim of West Nile virus.  In August, 2001, Wood developed West Nile Fever and was admitted to Sinai Hospital.  He never became well enough to return home. The virus left him brain-damaged, unable to speak in full sentences or swallow properly.  He eventually developed a lung infection and died. He was 73.  Though the immediate cause of death was pneumonia, doctors are confident that the root cause was West Nile virus, which had made him prone to inhaling fluids into his lungs. To date six people in Maryland have became ill from the virus and three -- including Wood – have died.

(13) ENDOSULFAN TASK FORCE DISCUSSES MITIGATION.
        On June 11, EPA met with representatives of Makhteshim-Agan and Aventis to discuss mitigation options regarding the ecological risks associated with the reregistration eligibility decision on endosulfan (Thiodan) . Although the registrants were not in complete agreement with EPA’s interpretation of the endosulfan assessment, they did agree to consider steps to mitigate potential aquatic exposure.  These steps included maintaining vegetative buffer strips to limit runoff, reducing application rates, restricting use on highly erodible lands, geographic restrictions by crop, surface water monitoring, and increased outreach to growers to better educate them on the proper usage of endosulfan. Because atmospheric transport of endosulfan has been linked to declines in endangered species populations, the focus of mitigation is not limited to reducing runoff; rather, mitigation must include reducing the atmospheric load of this persistent and toxic pesticide.

(14) NEW PESTICIDE APPLICATION EQUIPMENT 
       Degesch America, Inc. has a new Degesch Generator.  This stand alone machine generates phosphine gas from Magnesium phosphide granules (a new product under registration) for fumigation of warehouses and ship holds to control stored grain pests in raw agricultural commodities and processed food packages. The Degesch Generator can produce sufficient phosphine to fumigate large areas in a matter of minutes as compared with conventional fumigants, which takes 2-5 days to release an effective concentration of phosphine. Other advantages of this machine are that it reduces the total fumigation time; can better control concentration of phosphine gas in fumigation chambers; and, is safer to applicators, as no handling of phosphine generating products are involved during and post treatment. 

(15)  STARLINK CORN DETECTED IN US AID FOOD
       The Friends of the Earth ( http://www.foe.org/foodaid/ )  and Genetic Engineered Food Alert (  http://www.gefoodalert.org/News/news.cfm?News_ID=3333 ) have recently announced contamination of donated US AID food (corn soy blend) with StarLink Cry9(c) protein. The presence of the protein was detected by Genetic ID Laboratories.  EPA has been in contact with the USAID contractor responsible for the program and the USDA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA)  program which tests all U.S. AID corn products prior to export.   According to USDA, the corn soy blend in question was shipped in March, 2000 prior to the initiation of the StarLink testing program.  All of that shipment (with the exception of the bag tested) has been consumed, with no adverse reactions or incidents reported.

(16)  VINCLOZOLIN TOLERANCE REVOCATIONS AND CHANNELS OF TRADE PROVISIONS ANNOUNCED. 
       On June 12, EPA published a final rule in the Federal Register, effective that day, revising the tolerances for the fungicide vinclozolin (Ronilan) by revoking tolerances for strawberries, stone fruits, cucumbers, and bell peppers.  These revocations were proposed by the Agency in an FR notice published on July 10, 2001.  No comments were received during the 60-day public comment period.  In a related notice, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the availability of a guidance document presenting its planned enforcement approach for foods containing vinclozolin residues.  This guidance will assist firms in understanding the types of information on treatment of commodities that FDA may find useful in implementing channels of trade provisions.  For information, go to:  http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2002/June/Day-12/p13520.htm

(17)  DIFENZOQUAT, DIQUAT DIBROMIDE, FENBUTATIN-OXIDE, NORFLURAZON TOLERANCE REASSESSMENT
       EPA has reviewed existing tolerances for difenzoquat (Avenge), diquat dibromide (Reward, Reglone, Regloz), fenbutatin-oxide (Vendex), and norflurazon (Solicam), and considers the 166 associated tolerances reassessed as having met the safety standard under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).  No risk mitigation or changes to existing labeling are necessary.  Public comment is invited on these decisions for 30 days.  The Agency's Reports on FQPA Tolerance Reassessment Progress and Risk Management Decisions (or TREDs) for norflurazon and fenbutatin-oxide were announced in the June 11, 2002, Federal Register at: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2002/June/Day-11/p14636.htm ; comments must be received on or before July 11, 2002.  TRED documents for difenzoquat and diquat dibromide were announced in the June 12, 2002, Federal Register at:  http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2002/June/Day-12/p14371.htm ; comments on these documents must be received on or before July 12, 2002.

       EPA had completed Reregistration Eligibility Decisions (REDs) for these four pesticides in the mid-1990s, prior to enactment of FQPA.  EPA must review tolerances and tolerance exemptions that were in effect when FQPA was enacted to ensure that these existing pesticide residue limits for food and feed commodities meet the safety standard brought about by the new law.

(18)  REVISED CUMULATIVE RISK ASSESSMENT FOR OP’S 
       EPA has released a revised assessment of the cumulative risks of OP’s and is making the document available for public comment and scientific peer review of the methodologies used in its development.  With this groundbreaking work, EPA is nearing completion of a process to evaluate over a thousand organophosphate pesticide food tolerances (legal residue limits), virtually all of which are expected to meet the highest, most rigorous safety standards.

       In the past, tolerances were established for individual active ingredients and were based only on dietary exposure.  Now, FQPA requires EPA to fit all pesticides with a similar mode of action into one tolerance risk cup.  In addition, EPA must consider pesticide exposure from diet, drinking water, lawn care and residential sources (Aggregate Exposure).

       In the last several years, EPA has taken a variety of regulatory actions on OP’s, ranging from lowering application rates to complete cancellation of specific uses.  These actions have substantially reduced the risks, and have contributed to the high level of safety found in the cumulative risk assessment.  These actions have also reduced the number of tools that pesticide applicators have available to them.

       EPA is still working to evaluate certain food and residential uses of individual OP’s where additional risk mitigation will likely be necessary.  In the next several weeks, EPA will continue the scientific and regulatory work to evaluate and address these potential risks.  In addition, the cumulative exposure assessment shows that drinking water is not a significant contributor to overall risk.

       In this risk assessment, EPA has evaluated potential exposures to 30 OP’s, taking into account food, drinking water and residential uses.  EPA has employed methodologies to account for variability in potential exposures based on age, seasonal and geographic factors.  The assessment relied on a large variety of data sources, such as monitoring data that measure pesticide residues found in food, in order to obtain the most realistic estimates of actual exposure to the population from OP pesticides.  The assessment includes consideration of the FQPA safety factor for protecting sensitive populations, including infants and children.  The Executive Summary, Questions and Answers, Summaries, as well as the detailed Scientific Chapters, are at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative

(19) METHYL AND ETHYL PARATHION TOLERANCE REVOCATIONS
       On June 5, 2002, EPA published a final rule to revoke 73 tolerances for residues of the insecticides methyl parathion (Penncap-M) and ethyl parathion.  The 73 tolerances are revoked because there are no registered uses for methyl parathion or ethyl parathion on these commodities.  All uses of ethyl parathion have been canceled.  There are 25 remaining crop uses for methyl parathion; the 29 tolerances associated with these uses are not being revoked.  The notice lists the tolerances being revoked and is available on EPA's web site at:
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2002/June/Day-05/p13519.htm

       This rule becomes effective September 3, 2002.  Certain ethyl parathion tolerances expire on December 31, 2005.  All others are revoked effective September 3, 2002. See the Federal Register notice for details.  EPA believes that affected commodities should have cleared channels of trade before the proposed effective dates of these tolerance revocations. Commodities containing pesticide residues not covered by a tolerance are considered to be adulterated and are subject to seizure.

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(20) PROPANIL TOLERANCE REASSESSMENT AND PRELIMINARY RISK ASSESSMENT 
       On June 5, 2002, EPA announced the tolerance reassessment decision for propanil (Surcopur, Stam, Stampede, Strel) and released the accompanying human health and ecological effects risk assessment and related documents.  Propanil is a selective post-emergent herbicide registered on rice, barley, oats and spring wheat to control broadleaf and grass weeds in commercial settings.  Propanil is also registered (but not currently marketed) for turf use at commercial sod farms. 

       EPA’s reassessment of dietary risk, including public exposure through food and drinking water, as required by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), indicates that propanil poses no risk concerns; therefore, no risk mitigation is needed and no further actions related to dietary risk are warranted at this time.  EPA will complete a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) document for propanil later in 2002.  The RED will address risk to workers and the environment and any additional data requirements. Also, some commodity definitions must be updated.  The established tolerances remain in effect until such time as a full reassessment of the cumulative risk from all anilide pesticides, such as propanil, may be needed and completed.

       EPA will accept comments on the tolerance reassessment decision until July 5,2002.  In the absence of substantive comments, the tolerance reassessment decision will be considered final.  Comments on the human health and ecological effects risk assessments will be accepted until August 5, 2002 and included in the OPP Public Regulatory Docket.  The risk assessment documents and tolerance reassessment documents are available on EPA's Web site at:  http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/propanil/ .  The Federal Register notice of June 5, 2002 announcing is available on EPA's Web site at:
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2002/June/Day-05/p13809.htm

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(22)  FENBUTATIN-OXIDE AND NORFLUORAZON. 
       Tolerance reassessments for the acaricide fenbutatin-oxide (Vendex) and the selective herbicide norfluorazon (Solicam) are near completion.  Because risks for neither of these compounds are of concern, EPA is using a shortened process but will accept public comments on the final decisions.  A Federal Register notice will be published in the next few weeks announcing the availability of the decision documents and risk assessments in the docket and on EPA’S website

(24)  METAM SODIUM, METHYL BROMIDE ALTERNATIVE
       EPA has met with the Metam Sodium (Vapan) Task Force to discuss the results of new research, the efficacy and economics of their methyl bromide alternative, and current regulatory constraints hindering the adoption of their compound as a methyl bromide alternative.  Specifically, the Task Force discussed the results of studies showing that intermittently watering treated fields, for several days following application of metam sodium, significantly reduces the potential for off-gassing of methyl isothiocyanate, the by-product of metam sodium.  The Task Force is interested in having EPA review their exposure assessment methodology in anticipation of the upcoming RED for metam sodium.  The Task Force believes that models recently developed by EPA's laboratories at Research Triangle Park have promise to provide state-of-the-art exposure assessment capabilities for soil fumigants.

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(25)  PROPYLENE OXIDE, METHYL BROMIDE ALTERNATIVE. 
       EPA has met with representatives from Aberco to discuss the data requirements for new uses of propylene oxide (PPO).  This fumigant is currently registered for post-harvest uses of nuts, spices, and cocoa.  In collaboration with IR-4, the registrant has developed PPO as a potential soil fumigant, particularly for non-food uses.  EPA staff walked the registrant through the data requirements and provided guidance on the types of worker exposure studies necessary for registration as well as the issues that would need to be addressed if the registrant sought food uses.  More meetings are needed. Stay tuned.