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NTC MEASURES TO PROTECT AGRICULTURAL WORKERS FROM METHOMYL

Release Date: 08/16/96
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NTC MEASURES TO PROTECT AGRICULTURAL WORKERS FROM METHOMYL

FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 1996

EPA AND DUPONT AGREE ON MEASURES TO PROTECT AGRICULTURAL WORKERS FROM METHOMYL

EPA has reached an agreement with DuPont Agricultural Products to

reduce risks to agricultural workers from methomyl (trade name

Lannate), an insecticide used on a wide variety of crops.

"We believe the steps taken by DuPont demonstrate good product stewardship and will result in significantly reduced risk to workers' health from methomyl use," said EPA Assistant Administrator Lynn Goldman. "Many of the measures proposed by EPA to mitigate acute risks to agricultural workers have already been adopted by DuPont, and EPA expects all agreed upon measures to be in place for the 1997 growing season."

The steps taken by DuPont include: reduced maximum use rates and number of applications; more restrictive precautions for inhalation and eye, skin and oral exposure and longer intervals before workers can enter fields where pesticides have been applied. Some uses were deleted in view of a disproportionate number of worker poisonings. EPA worked with DuPont and fly bait manufacturers to reduce exposure from methomyl fly baits.

Concerns about methomyl risks to workers were raised based on reports of poisonings in California and other areas of the country. Methomyl was registered by EPA in 1968 and is now undergoing review as part of the Agency's reregistration program for older pesticides. A final decision on the continued registration eligibility is expected by the end of 1997. Methomyl is an acutely toxic pesticide in the carbamate family, and exposure to high levels can affect the central nervous system by inhibiting an enzyme called acetyl cholinesterase. Symptoms of poisonings include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision and tremors. The interim measures announced today are subject to change before or at the time of reregistration if warranted by new information on the risks of methomyl use.

This agreement does not supersede or replace the requirements of the Agency's Worker Protection Standard, which represents core protection for all agricultural workers who may be exposed to pesticides.

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