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PA LABEL RESTRICTIONS ON MOLINATE, RICE PESTICIDE

Release Date: 5/3/96
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PA LABEL RESTRICTIONS ON MOLINATE, RICE PESTICIDE

FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1996

EPA PROTECTS WORKERS BY REQUIRING LABEL RESTRICTIONS ON MOLINATE, RICE PESTICIDE

EPA is imposing protective clothing and other interim risk reduction measures on the pesticide molinate used to control weeds in rice fields. The measures are designed to reduce risks of male reproductive effects on workers who mix and load molinate. The pesticide is used in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas. Most molinate is applied aerially. The new risk mitigation measures will become effective before the beginning of the upcoming growing season. The measures to reduce mixer/loader exposure include new requirements for half-face respirators, protective clothing, closed loading systems for liquid products, and mechanical loading systems for granular products. Today's announcement is another result from EPA's ongoing reregistration program, a comprehensive reassessment of pesticides designed to ensure that they meet current safety standards. Molinate was first registered in l976 and is used only in rice. The registrant, Zeneca Ag Products of Wilmington, Del., is required to submit the results of a new study on potential reproductive effects by August l997, and a worker exposure study by the end of l996. These studies will be critical in refining the Agency's current risk estimates in preparation for a final decision on the reregistration eligibility of molinate. The registrant has also agreed to conduct a training program for molinate users.

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