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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
To: ddickerson@igc.apc.org
Subject: PANUPS:Well Contamination
Sender: mail2conf@igc.apc.org
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========================================================
PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
========================================================

NEW EVIDENCE OF ATRAZINE WELL CONTAMINATION

October 15, 1992


	A recent study measuring atrazine breakdown products in 
Wisconsin well water indicates that previous testing substantially 
underestimated the extent of contamination. Using gas 
chromatography to reanalyze water from 236 contaminated wells, a 
1992 study by Ciba-Geigy (atrazine's major manufacturer) found that 
three chlorinated atrazine breakdown products were not detected by the 
standard chemical assays for atrazine.  As a result of this finding, a 
third of the well owners in the study were advised to stop drinking the 
water from their wells.
	An initial study conducted by the state of Wisconsin in 1990 
surveyed 2,187 Wisconsin wells, using a conventional immunoassay 
for atrazine parent compounds.  Immunoassay tests are used to 
determine the presence of specific compounds.  The immunoassay tests 
used in the 1990 study do not provide information about level of 
contamination, or the presence of breakdown products.  Of the wells 
tested by the state, 351 were identified as contaminated with atrazine.
	Only wells with the highest atrazine levels in the 1990 study 
were retested for total atrazine residues (including breakdown 
products) in the 1992 study.  The more sensitive tests employed in 1992 
revealed that over a third of the retested wells contained atrazine 
levels above the Wisconsin regulatory Preventive Action Limit (PAL) 
of 0.35 parts per billion (ppb) of atrazine.  In all the retested wells, 
deethylatrazine, deisopropylatrazine, and diaminoatrazine (atrazine 
breakdown products of toxicological concern) were detected at total 
levels above the current PAL (0.30 ppb for total atrazine residues).  
Many of the wells no longer contained the parent compound, and in 
some wells, breakdown product levels far exceeded those of the parent 
compound.  Atrazine breakdown products are also likely to be present 
in many of the wells that were not retested, although people drinking 
from those wells may have been advised that their water was not 
contaminated, based on the earlier test results.
	In Wisconsin, over 100 drinking water wells thus far have been 
identified as contaminated above 3.0 ppb, the state and federal drinking 
water standard for atrazine.  The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture 
estimates, based on statistical extrapolation, that at least another 100 
wells are contaminated above the drinking water standard.
	Atrazine, a triazine herbicide, is the most widely used pesticide 
in the U.S. (70-90 million pounds of active ingredient in 1989).  
Atrazine was the pesticide most frequently detected in the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 1990 National Drinking 
Water Survey, and has been widely detected in rainwater, surface 
water, and lakes and ponds.  It is a severe eye irritant, a mild skin 
irritant and has demonstrated numerous chronic health hazards in test 
animals, including reproductive effects and various cancers.  EPA 
considers atrazine to be a possible human carcinogen.
	Atrazine's defenders have contended that high levels of the 
herbicide are found only in spill sites and/or isolated areas.  It is now 
apparent, however, that atrazine contamination is widespread in 
Wisconsin groundwater.  This raises important questions about the 
continued use of atrazine and other pesticides known to contaminate 
water, and the dangers of relying solely on conventional 
immunoassays to measure the extent of water contamination.
	The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture has proposed a rule 
that would prohibit all use of atrazine in areas contaminated above the 
drinking water standard.  Under this rule, areas with wells 
contaminated below the 3.0 ppb level will be allowed to use atrazine in 
a restricted manner.  There is no evidence proving the restricted use 
will adequately protect the drinking water supply.  The Wisconsin 
Public Intervenor is pressuring the Department of Agriculture to adopt 
a more stringent rule that would, at a minimum, prohibit the use of 
atrazine in the areas where atrazine has been detected over the PAL 
(0.35 ppb).  Public comments to the Wisconsin Department of 
Agriculture will assist the state to adopt the more protective rule.  Send 
letters urging the adoption of the Public Intervenor's suggestions to: 
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Secretary Alan Tracy, 801 
Badger Road, Madison, WI 53708.


Sources:  Memo from Tom Dawson, Public Intervenor, State of 
Wisconsin (July 1, 1992); Journal of Pesticide Reform, Winter 1991.

Contact:  Tom Dawson, Wisconsin Department of Justice, 123 West 
Washington Ave., P.O. Box 7857, Madison, WI 53707-7857.

========================================================
This information is provided by the Pesticide Action Network North 
America Updates Service (PANUPS), a pesticide-related news service 
from the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North American Regional 
Center. Updates are posted weekly on EcoNet in the "en.pesticides," 
"en.agriculture" and other appropriate electronic conferences, and 
distributed worldwide across the APC computer network. PANUPS is 
also posted in the Public Conference on RTK NET, on GeoNet in the 
PESTICIDES-BBS bulletin board, on FidoNet in The Ecology Network, 
on the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SANET) on BitNet, and on 
PENpages agriculture information service at Penn State Univ. Hard-
copy compilations of these updates are also available. For more 
information about PAN activities and publications, contact: PAN NA 
RC, 965 Mission Street #514, San Francisco, CA 94103. Tel: (415) 541-
9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. Telex: 156283472 PANNA. E-mail address on 
EcoNet: panna@igc.apc.org
========================================================

From panna@igc.apc.org Sun Oct 25 19:54:38 1992
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
To: 
Subject: PANUPS: Azinphos Methyl and Fish Kills
Cc: ddickerson@igc.apc.org, vtxmgr1@psupenpsu.edu
Sender: mail2conf@igc.apc.org
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=========================================================
PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=========================================================


MASSIVE FISH KILLS IN LOUISIANA PROMPT ACTION ON 
AZINPHOS METHYL

October 9, 1992

A series of fish kills in the rivers of southern Louisiana in the past year 
has prompted state Agriculture Commissioner Bob Odum to restrict 
the use of the organophosphate insecticide azinphos methyl to case-by-
case approval.  There were six fish-kill incidents in southern Louisiana 
this year, including three in the month of August.  During the 1991 
spraying season, azinphos methyl was implicated by the US 
Environmental Protection Agency in the deaths of up to 750,000 fish, 
and an unknown number of other animals including turtles, alligators, 
snakes, and birds.  Louisiana's Agriculture Department was criticized 
heavily in 1991 for what some observers felt was a lack of decisive 
action to control azinphos methyl's toxic effects on wildlife.

Commissioner Odum issued an emergency regulation on August 20, 
1992, stating that permits to use azinphos methylwill depend on the 
proximity of sugarcane fields to waterways, the drainage and water 
content of the soil in the area of proposed use, and the likelihood of 
sudden rain.  According to Odum, "th unpredictable nature of 
thunderstorms in south Louisiana this time of year makes . . . runoff 
likely."  At the time, there were approximately two weeks left to the 
usual azinphos methyl spraying season for cane borer control. A 
representative of the Department of Agriculture's Pesticide and 
Environmental Programs Office confirmed that since passage of this 
act,  no further fish kills have been reported.

Azinphos methyl is typically applied aerially to sugarcane fields during 
the humid summer months of July and August.  Residents of towns 
throughout the cane-growing region report crop dusters who fly so 
close to peopleUs homes that identification numbers on the side of the 
airplane and the color of the pilotUs hair have been accurately observed.  
In 1991, one pilot was charged with negligent injury after the town of 
Grosse Tete, near cane fields west of Baton Rouge, was sprayed.  Six of 
Grosse TeteUs 727 residents reported to hospital emergency rooms with 
symptoms of azinphos methyl exposure 

Pesticide-related fish kills have contributed to one of the most severe 
crises facing the fishing and farming industries in recent history.   Mike 
Walker, field biologist with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and 
Fisheries, reports that as a result of damage from September's 
Hurricane Andrew, the Achafalaya River, previously a "fisherman's 
paradise," is now a wasteland with 182 million dead fish.   Habitat for 
many aquatic and terrestrial species was destroyed or altered severely by 
the hurricane.

A coalition of Louisiana farmers, scientists, business groups, and 
citizen organizations has begun to work together to arrive at lasting 
solutions to the major problems now facing rural Louisiana. Major 
organizers in this effort are the Southern Sustainable Agriculture 
Working Group (Southern SWAG), together with the Southern 
Mutual Help Association (SMHA), an advocacy organization for the 
rural poor.  The coalition has addressed the need for cooperation 
among its diverse participants in confronting the fish-kill problem.  
Their long-range goal is to ensure the continued health of local and 
their ecosystems, economic survival for those in natural resource based 
industries, and self-determination for residents of rural areas.  Helen 
Vinton, a former member of Louisiana's pesticide commission and a 
community organizer with SMHA, notes that she has "a great deal of 
trust in the agricultural community.  Farmers want to do the right 
thing.  They just need more choices to help them do that."

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Helen Vinton, SMHA, 5002 Old 
Jeanerette Road, New Iberia, LA 70560.  Phone (318) 368-3277.

SOURCES: Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, August 14, 1991;  New 
York Times, August 21, 1991; Daily Iberian, August 15, 1992, August 18, 
1992, August 22, 1992; Sunday Iberian, September 6, 1992; Acadiana 
Lifestyle, 5(11), September, 1992; Sunday Atlanta Journal/Constitution, 
September 12, 1992; personal communication with Sr. Helen Vinton, 
and with members of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture.
========================================================
This information is provided by the Pesticide Action Network North 
America Updates Service (PANUPS), a pesticide-related news service 
from the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North American Regional 
Center. Updates are posted weekly on EcoNet in the "en.pesticides," 
"en.agriculture" and other appropriate electronic conferences, and 
distributed worldwide across the APC computer network. PANUPS is 
also posted in the Public Conference on RTK NET, on GeoNet in the 
PESTICIDES-BBS bulletin board, on FidoNet in The Ecology Network, 
on the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SANET) on BitNet, and on 
PENpages agriculture information service at Penn State Univ. Hard-
copy compilations of these updates are also available. For more 
information about PAN activities and publications, contact: PAN NA 
RC, 965 Mission Street #514, San Francisco, CA 94103. Tel: (415) 541-
9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. Telex: 156283472 PANNA. E-mail address on 
EcoNet: panna@igc.apc.org
========================================================


From panna@igc.apc.org Thu Nov  5 20:16:58 1992
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
To: ddickerson@igc.apc.org
Subject: PANUPS: PAN NA Conference
Sender: mail2conf@igc.apc.org
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/* Written  4:35 pm  Nov  4, 1992 by panna@igc.apc.org in igc:en.pesticides */
/* ---------- "PANUPS: PAN NA Conference" ---------- */
=========================================================
PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=========================================================

PAN NORTH AMERICA CONFERENCE HELD

November 4, 1992

Pesticide activists from North America and around the world gathered 
in Menlo Park, California on October 18-20 for the first North America 
Regional Conference. About 120 participants from 13 countries, 
including Mexico, Canada, Malaysia, Kenya, and Sweden, celebrated the 
ten-year anniversary of PAN International and worked toward a new 
agenda for pesticide activism in North America. Participants included 
all of the PAN International Regional Coordinators and 
representatives from 28 of PAN North America's affiliate 
organizations. Workshop and session topics included labor issues, 
access to information, state and national pesticide use reduction plans, 
PAN organizing in Mexico, and phasing out methyl bromide. The 
workshops emphasized information exchange and strategizing that 
ideas that activists could apply to their daily work. 

Three targeted pre-conference meetings set a productive tone for the 
main conference: "Getting On-Line" trained participants to use 
electronic communications; the information providers' meeting 
strengthened coordination between pesticide information activists; and 
a meeting of an international working group to promote sustainable 
agriculture at the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 
helped launch this new project.

Brief summaries of the workshop proceedings will soon be available 
upon request   Contact: PAN North America Regional Center.
========================================================
This information is provided by the Pesticide Action Network North 
America Updates Service (PANUPS), a pesticide-related news service 
from the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North American Regional 
Center. Updates are posted weekly on EcoNet in the "en.pesticides," 
"en.agriculture" and other appropriate electronic conferences, and 
distributed worldwide across the APC computer network. PANUPS is 
also posted in the Public Conference on RTK NET, on GeoNet in the 
PESTICIDES-BBS bulletin board, on FidoNet in The Ecology Network, 
on the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SANET) on BitNet, and on 
PENpages agriculture information service at Penn State Univ. Hard-
copy compilations of these updates are also available. For more 
information about PAN activities and publications, contact: PAN NA 
RC, 965 Mission Street #514, San Francisco, CA 94103. Tel: (415) 541-
9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. Telex: 156283472 PANNA E-mail address on 
EcoNet/IGC/APC: panna, PANNA E-mail address on InterNet: 
panna@igc.apc.org
========================================================

From panna@igc.apc.org Sat Nov  7 17:44:30 1992
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
To: ddickerson@igc.apc.org, vtxmgr1@psupena.psu.edu
Subject: PANUPS: Greenpeace Retrieves Pesticide Wastes
Cc: Abou_Thiam@f1.n7711.z5.gnfido.fidonet.org, pesticides-bbs@geo2.geomail.org
Sender: mail2conf@igc.apc.org
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Status: RO
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=========================================================
PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=========================================================
GREENPEACE  RETRIEVES GERMAN PESTICIDE WASTE

November 6,  1992

Greenpeace Germany recently retrieved twelve drums of illegally exported 
pesticide waste from Romania, and returned them to their origin in 
Germany,  to compensate for inaction by the German government.  The 
drums, containing herbicide and insecticide wastes, had been exported to 
Sibiu, Romania, from Saarland, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt.  Since May, 
the German government repeatedly promised to retrieve these illegally 
exported wastes and detoxify them in Germany, according to Greenpeace 
representatives.

Over 2000 tons of toxic wastes have been exported o Sibiu by German 
companies since September of 1991.  This the Greenpeace retrieval action, 
the Environmental Ministry for the state of Hessen has claimed that it is 
prepared to retrieve some of the waste.

SOURCE: AGROW, October 9, 1992;  Global Pesticide Campaigner,  
November 1992.

CONTACT: Greenpeace Germany, Vorstetzen 53, D-2000 Hamburg 11; 
phone (49-40) 311 860; fax (49-40) 311 86141.

==========================================================
This information is provided by the Pesticide Action Network North 
America Updates Service (PANUPS), a pesticide-related news service from 
the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North American Regional Center. 
Updates are posted weekly on EcoNet in the "en.pesticides," 
"en.agriculture" and other appropriate electronic conferences, and 
distributed worldwide across the APC computer network. PANUPS is also 
posted in the Public Conference on RTK NET, on GeoNet in the 
PESTICIDES-BBS bulletin board, on FidoNet in The Ecology Network, on 
the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SANET) on BitNet, and on PENpages 
agriculture information service at Penn State Univ. Hard-copy compilations 
of these updates are also available. For more information about PAN 
activities and publications, contact: PAN NA RC, 965 Mission Street #514, 
San Francisco, CA 94103. Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. Telex: 
156283472 PANNA. E-mail address on EcoNet: panna@igc.apc.org
==========================================================



From panna@igc.apc.org Tue Nov 10 22:47:39 1992
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
To: 
Subject: PANUPS: Methyl Bromide Press Advisory
Sender: mail2conf@igc.apc.org
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To: conf:en.agriculture, conf:en.pesticides, conf:en.toxics, ddickerson
Subject: PANUPS: Methyl Bromide Press Advisory
Cc: Abou_Thiam@f1.n7711.z5.gnfido.fidonet.org, bitl.sanet pesticides-bbs@geo2.geomail.org
    Abou_Thiam@f1.n7711.z5.gnfido

=========================================================
PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=========================================================
PANUPS: Press Advisory  on methyl bromide as ozone depletor

November 10,  1992 

Seven environmental and pesticide organizations will issue a report about 
the adverse effects of the pesticide methyl bromide on the Earth's ozone 
layer.  The report highlights alternatives to methyl bromide, and calls for a 
rapid phase-out of the ozone-depleting pesticide.  Organizations include the 
California Action Network, (CAN), Californians for Alternatives to Toxics 
(CATs), California Institute for Rural Studies (CIRS), Friends of the Earth 
(FOE), National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides (NCAMP), 
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Pesticide Action Network 
North America Regional Center (PANNA).

Date of press conference: Thursday, November 12, 11:00 AM
Place: State Capitol, Room 1190, Sacramento, California
Date of report release: Thursday, November 12, 1992

To obtain a copy of the report ($10), contact Friends of the Earth at (202)
544-
2600.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Patty Clary, CATs   (707) 822-8497
  Richard Reed, CAN   (916) 756-8518
  Andrea Davis, PANNA   (415) 541-9140 
=========================================================
This information is provided by the Pesticide Action Network North 
America Updates Service (PANUPS), a pesticide-related news service from 
the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North American Regional Center. 
Updates are posted weekly on EcoNet in the "en.pesticides," 
"en.agriculture" and other appropriate electronic conferences, and 
distributed worldwide across the APC computer network. PANUPS is also 
posted in the Public Conference on RTK NET, on GeoNet in the 
PESTICIDES-BBS bulletin board, on FidoNet in The Ecology Network, on 
the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SANET) on BitNet, and on PENpages 
agriculture information service at Penn State Univ. Hard-copy compilations 
of these updates are also available. For more information about PAN 
activities and publications, contact: PAN NA RC, 965 Mission Street #514, 
San Francisco, CA 94103. Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. Telex: 
156283472 PANNA. E-mail address on EcoNet: panna@igc.apc.org
==========================================================



From panna@igc.apc.org Fri Nov 20 22:49:01 1992
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
To: ddickerson@igc.apc.org, vtxmgr1@psupena.psu.edu
Subject: PANUPS: Chlordane/Heptachlor Ban in Australia
Cc: Abou_Thiam@f1.n7711.7711.z5.gnfido.fidonet.org,
        pesticides-bbs@geo2.geomail.org
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Status: RO
X-Status: 

=========================================================
PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=========================================================
CHLORDANE AND HEPTACHLOR TO BE BANNED IN AUSTRALIA

November 20, 1992

After three decades of warnings from scientists, unions and 
environmentalists, the organochlorine pesticides chlordane and heptachlor 
are finally being banned in Australia. Chlordane and heptachlor 
are used in Australian homes to control termites. Recent studies that show 
that even if houses are sprayed in accordance with government standards, 
airborne contamination will exceed guideline levels up to six months after 
application. Organochlorine pesticides have been banned for many years in 
over 26 countries worldwide for health or environmental reasons, yet they 
continue to be imported into Australia from the U.S. They contaminate fish 
and pollute groundwater, and are classified as possible 
human carcinogens by the World Health Organisation. Once the chemicals 
cease to have a commercial value, they become "intractable waste" in 
Australia. 
Environmental groups, industry groups and unions have long advocated 
non-chemical means of termite control. According to Greenpeace Toxics 
Coordinator, Lynette Thorstensen, "Australian companies are demonstrating 
that it is possible to protect your home from termites without poisoning 
the environment or your family."
The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) 
compiled a report on these chemicals which states that, in two years, "the 
registration and importation, sale and use of heptachlor and/or chlordane 
should cease." Like the EC, Australia has recognized the need for preventive 
action and has publicly advocated the  "precautionary principle" 
The report's major flaw is the leisurely timeline set for compliance. Under 
the NH&MRC plan, organochlorines will still be used for two years. 
Nonetheless, AustraliaUs precautionary action may mark the start of common 
sense environmental action on all organochlorine chemicals. 

Source/contact: Greenpeace Australia, Studio 14, 37 Nicholson St., Balmain, 
NSW 2141, Australia; phone (61-2) 555-7044; fax (61-2) 555 7154;
>From "News Notes," Global Pesticide Campaigner 2(4), November 1992
=========================================================

This information is provided by the Pesticide Action Network North 
America Updates Service (PANUPS), a pesticide-related news service from 
the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North American Regional Center. 
Updates are posted weekly on EcoNet in the "en.pesticides," 
"en.agriculture" and other appropriate electronic conferences, and 
distributed worldwide across the APC computer network. PANUPS is also 
posted in the Public Conference on RTK NET, on GeoNet in the 
PESTICIDES-BBS bulletin board, on FidoNet in The Ecology Network, on 
the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SANET) on BitNet, and on PENpages 
agriculture information service at Penn State Univ. Hard-copy compilations 
of these updates are also available. For more information about PAN 
activities and publications, contact: PAN NA RC, 965 Mission Street #514, 
San Francisco, CA 94103. Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. Telex: 
156283472 PANNA. E-mail address on EcoNet: panna@igc.apc.org
==========================================================



From panna@igc.apc.org Sat Jan  9 20:55:35 1993
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To: 
Subject: PANUPS: Benlate Problems Persist
Cc: ddickerson.vtxmgr1@psupena.psu.edu
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=========================================================
PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=========================================================
BENOMYL QUESTIONS REMAIN UNANSWERED

January 8, 1992

Controversy continues over Benlate DF, the dry-flowable granular 
formulation of the fungicide benomyl that was withdrawn from the 
market in 1991 following reports of crop damage associated with its 
application.  Du Pont de Nemours, the manufacturer of this and other 
benomyl products, has paid growers over $500 million in settlement of 
claims for crop losses, in response to approximately 1,900 damages 
claims filed in 1991 and 1992.  In November of 1992, Du Pont 
announced that they would pay no more damage claims by farmers and 
horticulturists in the United States.  Du Pont maintains that their 
extensive field tests of 35 varieties of field crops, leafy plants, and 
woody ornamental plants did not indicate "a cause-and-effect 
relationship" between Benlate DF and the crop losses suffered by 
claimants.  These conclusions were presented at a meeting of the 
Florida Pesticide Review Council on December 4th, 1992, and are now 
under review by the State of Florida, where the majority of the cases 
claiming Benlate DF damages were filed.

A group of growers, farm laborers, consumers, and members of 
environmental organizations called Benlate Victims Against Du Pont 
called their own news conference before the December 4th, 1992 
meeting of Florida's Pesticide Review Council.  This coalition is calling 
for a boycott of all Du Pont products,  and demands that Du Pont to 
address claims regarding health problems resulting from Benlate DF as 
well as those claims involving the re-cropping of soils believed 
contaminated due to Benlate use.

Citizen and farmer groups in Florida have raised many questions about 
Du Pont's actions and conclusions.  Some growers have  conducted 
their own analyses of damaged plants, and of suspect batches of Benlate 
DF, with  varied results.  The amounts of  active ingredient found in 
Benlate DF range from 35% to 55%, and some independent 
investigators report various contaminants including boron, aluminum, 
heavy metals, and other pesticides including the fungicide 
chlorothalonil and the herbicide atrazine. (Atrazine was implicated as a 
Benlate contaminant in crop damage cases in 1989 and 1990, and
 the Benlate was partially recalled in response.  Further claims of plant 
damage from Benlate DF in 1990 revealed that atrazine was present in 
some, but not all, lots of Benlate DF used by claimants.)

Adverse health effects have also been reported in connection with 
Benlate use.  Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture has appointed a 
study  group to investigate health problems reported by numerous 
growers. Epidemiological and clinical research is still in preliminary 
stages.  In the meantime, citizens' groups are independently arranging 
for health monitoring  of farmers and farm laborers who report Benlate 
exposure.  In tests submitted as preliminary reports to Florida's 
Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services,  independent 
researchers report measurable levels of  benomyl metabolites and 
breakdown products in the blood and urine of  volunteer subjects.  
Benomyl is listed as a possible human carcinogen by the US 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),  and has caused congenital 
abnormalities, reduced sperm production, and genetic damage in 
laboratory  studies accepted as valid by US EPA.

Following the recommendation of the Health Effects Committee 
appointed by the Florida Agriculture Commissioner, a "Consensus 
Conference" is now scheduled to review past and present research on 
benomyl products and to determine whether workplace exposure levels 
and food residue tolerance levels are adequate to protect public health.  
This conference will be held in conjunction with the Society of 
Toxicologists' annual meeting  in New Orleans , March 19-20, 1993. 

Information about Benlate problems has been surrounded by secrecy.  
Out-of-court settlements routinely include agreements assuring 
confidentiality of the settlement terms and release of liability for any 
further damages.  In the case of Benlate settlements, this makes Du Pont 
the primary source on the number or scope of the complaints.  Even the 
State of Florida, where most of the complaints were filed, can not report 
the number of Benlate claims settled or their disposition. Recently, Du 
Pont released the formula  (ordinarily protected as a "trade secret") for 
Benlate DF,  in response to claimant actions, only after years of reported 
crop damage associated with the dry-flowable formulation.  
 
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Bob Crawford has asked the 
court to rescind the motion that grants confidentiality to over 150,000 
documents related to the effects of Benlate DF, claiming that the public's 
right to know outweighs Du Pont's needs for secrecy.  Du Pont is 
planning to respond to the state's demand, and  the matter is likely to 
go to trial sometime  this year. Additionally, the first two class-action 
suits against Du Pont for Benlate damages are scheduled for trial this 
year.

Du Pont has reported that Benlate suits have been filed "from the 
Caribbean and Central America," but the number of these, their 
countries and problems experienced remain undisclosed.  

SOURCES: AGROW World Crop Protection News, Nos. 134, 160, 170, 
172;  Toxics Law Reporter, Nov. 18, 1992;  background paper on Benlate, by 
Kerry  Dressler, (unpublished);  Registration Standard for benomyl, US 
Environmental Protection Agency; "Bad-Acting Pesticide is Giving Du 
Pont a Costly Headache," Wall Street Journal, December 16, 1991. Also 
see PANUPS "Benlate Toxicity is a Growing Concern,"  May 8, 1991, and 
article on Benlate problems in PAN North America's Global Pesticide 
Campaigner, February 1993 (upcoming).

CONTACT:

Kerry Dressler, Florida Defenders of the Environment, Route 2, Box 
565C, Micopany, FL 32667, phone/fax: (904) 466-4215

Dale Smith, Benlate Victims Against Du Pont, phone: (305) 246-8627

Dr. Marian Fuller, Florida State Department of Health and 
Rehabilitative Services,  phone: (904) 487-0532

Damion Dumont, Greenpeace, phone: (202) 543-2518

Jack Doyle, Friends of the Earth, phone: (202) 544-2600

Jay Feldman, National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides, 
phone (202) 543-5450
=========================================================
This information is provided by the Pesticide Action Network North 
America Updates Service (PANUPS), a pesticide-related news service
rom the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North American 
Regional Center. Updates are posted weekly on EcoNet in the 
"en.pesticides," "en.agriculture" and other appropriate electronic 
conferences, and distributed worldwide across the APC computer network. 
PANUPS is also posted in the Public Conference on RTK NET, on GeoNet 
in the PESTICIDES-BBS bulletin board, on FidoNet in The Ecology Network, 
on the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SANET) on BitNet, and on 
PENpages agriculture information service at Penn State Univ. Hard-copy 
compilations of these updates are also available. For more information 
about PAN activities and publications, contact: PAN NA RC, 965 Mission 
Street #514, San Francisco, CA 94103. Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253.
Telex: 156283472 PANNA. E-mail address on EcoNet: panna@igc.apc.org
==========================================================



From panna@igc.apc.org Thu Jan 14 23:19:45 1993
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
To: ddickerson@igc.apc.org, vtxmgr1@psupena.psu.edu
Subject: PANUPS Job Opening At PANNA
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/* Written  4:57 pm  Jan 14, 1993 by panna@igc.apc.org in igc:en.pesticides */
/* ---------- "PANUPS Job Opening At PANNA" ---------- */

Pesticide Action Network North America Regional Center
Staff Openings Announcement


Date: December 22, 1992					Application 
Deadline: Open until positions filled

The Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) Regional 
Center is a San Francisco-based non-
profit organization.  PANNA is one of six coordinating centers for 
the Pesticide Action Network Inter-
national, a global coalition of citizensU groups dedicated to replacing 
pesticide use with safe, sustainable 
resource management.  PANNA links over 60 groups in Canada, Mexico 
and the U.S. with some 300 
partner groups in other countries.

Positions Summary
PANNA has two full-time program staff openings.  Starting salaries 
will range from $24,960 to $27,456, 
depending on qualifications and actual responsibilities.  Benefits 
include health and dental, plus 
generous vacations.  Positions are open from January 15, 1993 until 
filled.  People of color, of non-
European descent and from traditionally disadvantaged communities 
are encouraged to apply.

Projects and Programs Needing Staff
While we are open to combining job descriptions in other ways, it is 
most likely that the two positions 
will reflect the following combinations of responsibilities (call for 
complete job descriptions):

-  Coordinator of Information and Publication Services:  Pro-active 
information support to PAN 
international programs and partners, including identifying and 
notifying key contacts of particularly 
useful/strategic information; coordinating and documenting 
fulfillment of daily information requests; 
development of PAN information resources for current PAN 
campaigns and advocacy, and 
management of an in-house information collection and database; and 
editing, writing and production 
of timely information resources, including fact sheets, action 
alerts, bibliographies, the quarterly Global 
Pesticide Campaigner newsletter, and weekly electronic postings 
(PANUPS) on EcoNet. 

- Campaign Coordinator:  Responsible for one or more international 
campaigns, emphasizing activism 
and networking.  Current PANNA campaigns in need of staffing 
include promoting state, national and 
regional pesticide use reduction plans (with emphasis on efforts in 
California and developing 
countries); coordinating sustainable agriculture advocacy at the UN 
Food and Agriculture Organization, 
World Bank and other institutions; and promoting alternatives to 
methyl bromide fumigation, with a 
focus on uses and products in international agricultural trade.  
Campaign work includes information 
outreach, writing and editing, and some travel.

% Both positions require writing program materials, contact with 
the media, and producing grant 
proposals, reports, and other activities to secure program funding 
(in collaboration with fundraising 
staff).

Qualifications
The available positions require mature people capable of independent 
coordination and management 
of major projects and ongoing programs. Desired qualifications 
include strong analytical, strategizing, 
organizing, research, writing and editing, interpersonal and political 
skills; willingness and ability to 
raise funds; and appreciation of diverse cultures.  Fluency in 
Spanish, French and/or other languages is 
highly desirable.  Education and/or experience should include some 
combination of international 
development, sustainable agriculture, public health, toxicology, 
entomology, progressive politics, 
community development, or related fields.  Computer skills are 
required.

To Apply:  Send resume, brief description of your suitability for a 
position incorporating some 
combination of the responsibilities described above, writing 
samples and names of three to five 
references to PANNA, 965 Mission Street, #514, San Francisco, CA 
94103.


From panna@igc.apc.org Mon Jan 18 21:59:15 1993
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
To: ddickerson@igc.apc.org, vtxmgr1@psupena.psu.edu
Subject: PANUPS: Residues on imported foods
Cc: Abou_Thiam@f1.n7711.z5.gnfido.fidonet.org, alair%well@apc.org,
        elcedwr@gn.apc.org
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=========================================================
PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=========================================================
IMPORTED FOODS WITH ILLEGAL PESTICIDE RESIDUES ENTERING US 
FOOD SUPPLY

December 23, 1992

A recent report by the US General Accounting Office (GAO), the 
investigative arm of the US Congress, found that despite a program that test 
a sampling of  food imports for pesticide residues,  some foods imported 
into the United States contain prohibited pesticide residues.  According to 
the GAO, "shipments of imported food that FDA (the Food and Drug 
Administration) identifies as adulterated with pesticides still make their 
way to US grocery shelves." Examples of foods contaminated with 
unacceptable pesticides that FDA detected at US ports in 1990 include squash 
containing residues of BHC and DDT, (pesticides for which all US uses have 
been cancelled)  snow peas containing EBDC fungicides, (which are not 
registered for use on peas) and spinach containing  the fungicide 
chlorothalonil (which is not registered for use on spinach.)

FDA's program of testing a sampling of food imports for illegal pesticide 
residues began in 1973.   In 1990, approximately 0.8% of incoming food was 
tested for illegal pesticide residues; of these, 4.3% of the foods were found to
be pesticide-contaminated.  Although the volume of foods tested has 
increased since the program's inception,  the rate of violation has decreased.
Total food imports to the US have increased 140% during the intervening 
years, though the number of FDA staff dedicated to monitoring incoming 
food shipments has only increased 2% 

FDA's residue testing program has not been successful in keeping  
contaminated foods away from US consumers.   GAO
 reports that in fiscal years 1988, 1989, and 1990,  food importers did not 
properly dispose of 336 of the 989 imported shipments identified as being 
adulterated with pesticides.  Records kept by FDA and by US Customs 
confirm that at least some of these adulterated foods enter the US food 
distribution system.

Of the identified 336 problem shipments, in this period  62 were distributed 
in the US as a result of errors by FDA or Customs. The remaining 274 were 
distributed illegally.  In 51 of the illegally distributed imports,  importers 
claimed that the shipment was subsequently destroyed or sent back to the 
country of origin, but no required documentation of disposal was available.

 Over 64% of the illegally distributed food shipments in this study came 
from only 10 importers. Nearly half of the improper distributors  had been 
placed on "automatic detention status" due to a prior record of pesticide 
adulteration in the same product, but the legal safeguards were not 
sufficient to keep contaminated foods out of circulation.

GAO believes that  there is limited incentive for repeat offenders to comply 
with the laws regulating pesticide residues.The main enforcement tool to 
deter importers from selling pesticide-contaminated food  is a bond 
agreement between Customs and the importer.  Under this agreement, the 
importer promises to pay all duties, taxes, tariffs, and charges, to retain 
control over the shipment until its acceptability is determined, and to 
dispose of the shipment properly if it is found to be unacceptable.   
However, the damages are not high enough under this system to prevent a 
food importer from profiting from the sale of these shipments, even after 
paying the bond,  and importers often can avoid, postpone, or reduce 
damages paid.

 As the federal laws governing releasing adulterated food onto the US 
market provide only for criminal penalties, FDA must rely on the US 
Department of Justice to enforce the act.  This also hampers enforcement, 
according to FDA attorneys,  because these cases are given low priority for 
prosecution.  GAO suggests that authorizing FDA to enforce compliance as a 
civil matter with administrative penalties would make it easier to pursue 
legal action against repeat offenders. 

It is clear, from this report by GAO, that monitoring incoming foods for 
residues of pesticides is neither efficient nor effective in protecting the 
public from dangerous levels of contamination.  Only a tiny fraction (less 
than 1%) of  food imports can be monitored given current FDA staff 
allocations, and the penalties for detection of unacceptable residue levels do 
little to stop these contaminated foods from entering the market.  In the 
long run, the safety of the food supply, in the US and other countries, can 
only be ensured by promoting safer, more sustainable agricultural practices,  
rather than by end-product monitoring.

SOURCE: "Pesticides: Adulterated US Foods are Reaching US Grocery 
Shelves." US General Accounting Office, September 1992.  Document 
#RCED-92-205.  Single copies of any GAO report are available at no charge.  
To order, write to US General Accounting Office, Box 6015, Gaithersburg, 
MD, 20877, phone (202) 275-6241, fax (301) 258-4066.  Monthly and annual 
catalogues of GAO reports and testimony are also available.
 ==========================================================
This information is provided by the Pesticide Action Network North 
America Updates Service (PANUPS), a pesticide-related news service from 
the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North American Regional Center. 
Updates are posted weekly on EcoNet in the "en.pesticides," 
"en.agriculture" and other appropriate electronic conferences, and 
distributed worldwide across the APC computer network. PANUPS is also 
posted in the Public Conference on RTK NET, on GeoNet in the 
PESTICIDES-BBS bulletin board, on FidoNet in The Ecology Network, on 
the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SANET) on BitNet, and on PENpages 
agriculture information service at Penn State Univ. Hard-copy compilations 
of these updates are also available. For more information about PAN 
activities and publications, contact: PAN NA RC, 965 Mission Street #514, 
San Francisco, CA 94103. Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. Telex: 
156283472 PANNA. E-mail address on EcoNet: panna@igc.apc.org
==========================================================



From panna@igc.apc.org Mon Jan 18 22:30:33 1993
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
To: 
Subject: PANUPS: USDA Response to Methyl Bromide Concerns
Cc: 
Sender: mail2conf@igc.apc.org
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=========================================================
PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
========================================================= USDA
Response to Public  Concerns about Methyl Bromide

November 30, 1992

Citizens who wrote to the US Department of Agriculture urging
action toward phasing out the highly toxic, ozone-depleting
fumigant methyl bromide received a form letter in November from
the USDA's Nancy Ragsdale, Director of the National Agricultural
Pesticide Impact Assessment Program.  Ragsdale's lettertter notes
that "the Department has received many letters" expressing concern
about the effects of methyl bromide.

In this letter, Ragsdale states that USDA is "completing an
assessment of the agricultural benefits resulting from methyl
bromide use" and that there are currently no alternatives to its
continued application in agricultural production and food imports.
The  letter concludes by saying that "our lack of knowledge about
the impact of agricultural use on the ozone layer means that this
issue must be carefully examined before a course of action is
taken."

Despite USDA's reluctance to promote or endorse alternatives to
methyl bromide in stored product, soil, and structural pest
management,  research and practical experience indicate that
viable alternatives are available for methyl bromide use.  The
recent report, "Into the Sunlight," documents these possibilities
and recommends that spending priorities for the USDA address the
need for research into appropriate, nontoxic, and environmentally
sound alternatives to methyl bromide usage.

With a new Secretary of Agriculture still to be selected by
President-elect Clinton, it is essential that  the public brings
continued pressure on USDA stressing the hazards of methyl bromide
and the need to develop and implement safer alternatives to its
use. Further letters to USDA might address methyl bromide's high
acute toxicity to humans and animals,  its role as a powerful
ozone depleter, the successful use of alternatives to methyl
bromide in commodity, soil, and structural fumigation,  and the
tremendous long-term cost to agriculture and to the general public
of ignoring the critical need for a safer approach to pest
management.  The present USDA study examining the "benefits" of
methyl bromide in agriculture must be balanced with a careful,
honest appraisal of its risks.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: "Into the Sunlight" is available from
Friends of the Earth, 218 D St. SE, Washington, DC, USA (202)
544-2600.

LETTERS urging an understanding of methyl bromide's serious risks,
and an implementation of its phase-out, can be sent to Nancy N.
Ragsdale, Director, National Agricultural Pesticide Impact
Assessment Program, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC, USA
20250. (202) 720-4623 Fax:  720-2166.
======================================================== This
information is provided by the Pesticide Action Network North
America Updates Service (PANUPS), a pesticide-related news service
from the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North American Regional
Center.  Updates are posted weekly on EcoNet in the
"en.pesticides," "en.agriculture" and other appropriate electronic
conferences, and distributed worldwide across the APC computer
network. PANUPS is also posted in the Public Conference on RTK
NET, on GeoNet in the PESTICIDES-BBS bulletin board, on FidoNet in
The Ecology Network, on the Sustainable Agriculture Network
(SANET) on BitNet, and on PENpages agriculture information service
at Penn State Univ. Hard-copy compilations of these updates are
also available. For more information about PAN activities and
publications, contact: PAN NA RC, 965 Mission Street #514, San
Francisco, CA 94103. Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253.
Telex:  156283472 PANNA. E-mail address on EcoNet:
panna@igc.apc.org
==========================================================

From panna@igc.apc.org Mon Jan 18 22:33:50 1993
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
To: 
Subject: PANUPS: Pesticide Labeling Problems Found in EPA Audit
Cc: ddickerson@igc.apc.org, vtxmgr1@psupena.psu.edu
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=========================================================
PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=========================================================
U.S. PESTICIDE LABELING AUDIT REVEALS MAJOR PROBLEMS

December 22, 1992

	A recent audit by the U.S. EPA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) 
revealed serious and frequent problems with pesticide labeling in the 
U.S.  According to the audit report:

-- Nearly one-half of pesticide labels reviewed did not have accurate 
precautionary statements, and required restricted use statements were 
not always in place.

-- "OPP [Office of Pesticide Policy] personnel were unable to locate the 
toxicity studies, or other review of the toxicity studies, for over one-
third of the labels reviewed.... Without toxicity studies, we are unable to 
verify the accuracy of the precautionary statements on the pesticide 
labels."

-- Complete sets of toxicity studies will not be available on all pesticides 
until reregistration is completed in 2002 (toxicity studies were 
unavailable for 58 of  95 pesticides reviewed).

-- "Toxicity studies for some registered products are older than EPA. 
According to OPP officials, many of the older studies have become 
obsolete. Others are in EPA files, but not organized in such a way that 
they can be easily matched to the products they support."

-- Final printed labels were not on file for 24 of 95 pesticides reviewed.  
"Without the registrants submitting final printed labels, OPP has little 
assurance that registrants make requested changes to labels."

-- EPA did not use incident reports to identify problems and address 
them with additional label restrictions.  For example, "it was only after 
200 incidents in one year, including 26 animal deaths, that OPP required 
the registrant to make label changes to a flea and tick pesticide."

	Responding to the report, Linda Fisher, EPA's Assistant 
Administrator for Prevention, Ofice of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, 
noted in part that federal law made it difficult to enforce labeling 
regulations. According to Fisher, "the report focused on incidents 
reported voluntarily and not those registrants are required to report 
under 
FIFRA Section 6(a)(2).  The type of information obtained from 
voluntarily  reported incidents is unlikely to sustain a regulatory 
decision."
	Fisher said that OPP would take measures to address the 
situation, including reinstituting its selective audit of final printed 
labels and requiring registrants to submit final labels for those products 
that did not have them on file. 
	The OIG audit concluded that OPP needs to use "the information 
it  collects to identify problem pesticides, and to protect the public and 
environment from unreasonable adverse effects of these pesticides."

The audit report, "Labeling of Pesticides," is available free of charge 
from EPA's Office of Inspector General, 77 West Jackson (IA-13J), 
Chicago, IL 60604.

Source: Pesticide and Toxic Chemical News, 21 October, 1992




==========================================================
This information is provided by the Pesticide Action Network North 
America Updates Service (PANUPS), a pesticide-related news service from 
the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North American Regional Center. 
Updates are posted weekly on EcoNet in the "en.pesticides," 
"en.agriculture" and other appropriate electronic conferences, and 
distributed worldwide across the APC computer network. PANUPS is also 
posted in the Public Conference on RTK NET, on GeoNet in the 
PESTICIDES-BBS bulletin board, on FidoNet in The Ecology Network, on 
the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SANET) on BitNet, and on PENpages 
agriculture information service at Penn State Univ. Hard-copy compilations 
of these updates are also available. For more information about PAN 
activities and publications, contact: PAN NA RC, 965 Mission Street #514, 
San Francisco, CA 94103. Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. Telex: 
156283472 PANNA. E-mail address on EcoNet: panna@igc.apc.org
==========================================================



From panna@igc.apc.org Mon Jan 18 22:34:30 1993
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
To: 
Subject: PANUPS: Introduction and Outreach
Cc: alair%well@apc.org, ddickerson@igc.apc.org, elcidwr@gn.apc.org,
        vtxmgr1@psupena.psu.edu
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=========================================================
PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=========================================================
Welcome to PANUPS, the Pesticide Action Network Update Service.  We 
are a news briefing service, using on-line communications to focus on 
pesticide-related news and information.  Research, writing, and distribution 
of PANUPS is coordinated through the Pesticide Action Network (PAN)  
North America Regional Center office in San Francisco, California, and 
distributed internationally through computer networks and bulletin boards.  
In addition, bimonthly compilations of PANUPS reports are published and 
distributed through our office.

PAN North America Regional Center is one of six regional centers for the 
Pesticide Action Network, an international coalition of concerned citizens 
and non-governmental organizations promoting safer and more 
sustainable management of natural resources in place of reliance on 
chemical pesticides.  For more information on Pesticide Action Network, 
contact us at <panna@igc apc.org>, or write to us at 965 Mission St. #514, 
San Francisco, CA, USA, 94103.

PANUPS is distributed worldwide through the APC  (Association for 
Progressive Communications) networks,  through posting to such 
conferences as en.pesticides, en.agriculture, en.toxics, and en.climate as 
appropriate. APC makes electronic conferences available throughout the 
world, through member networks such as the Web in Canada, GreenNet in 
the United Kingdom, Pegasus network in Australia, ComLink in Germany, 
and Alternex in South America.Glasnet in the Commonwealth of 
Independent States. 

We also distribute PANUPS to The Ecology Network (FidoNet) and 
Sustainable Agriculture Network (SANET), and the agriculture-based 
information service housed at Pennsylvania State University, PENPAGES. 
In addition, PANUPS is posted to the Right-to-Know network (RTKnet) and 
to other sites throughout the world including PAN regional centers in 
Africa.

We are interested in meeting other partners and recipients of PANUPS and 
learning how  you use PANUPS information,  and what types of 
information you have found most useful or interesting. We welcome your 
thoughts and guidance, and we are especially interested in receiving news 
items and suggestions for other materials for further PANUPS.  Feel free to 
respond to any conference in which PANUPS appears, or, if you prefer, 
address electronic mail to <panna@igc.apc.org.>

==========================================================
This information is provided by the Pesticide Action Network North 
America Updates Service (PANUPS), a pesticide-related news service from 
the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North American Regional Center. 
Updates are posted weekly on EcoNet in the "en.pesticides," 
"en.agriculture" and other appropriate electronic conferences, and 
distributed worldwide across the APC computer network. PANUPS is also 
posted in the Public Conference on RTK NET, on GeoNet in the 
PESTICIDES-BBS bulletin board, on FidoNet in The Ecology Network, on 
the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SANET) on BitNet, and on PENpages 
agriculture information service at Penn State Univ. Hard-copy compilations 
of these updates are also available. For more information about PAN 
activities and publications, contact: PAN NA RC, 965 Mission Street #514, 
San Francisco, CA 94103. Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. Telex: 
156283472 PANNA. E-mail address on EcoNet: panna@igc.apc.org
==========================================================



From panna@igc.apc.org Tue Jan 19 22:56:51 1993
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Resent-From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
To: 
Subject: PANUPS : Methyl Bromide Initiatives
Cc: ddickerson@igc.apc.org
Sender: mail2conf@igc.apc.org
Resent-To: Moderator of conference bitl.sanet <sanet-mg@oes.orst.edu>
Status: RO
X-Status: 


========================================================
=
PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES 
SERVICE
========================================================
=

INITIATIVES TO PHASE OUT METHYL BROMIDE WORLDWIDE

January 19, 1993

Several actions to reduce and phase out production and use of the 
highly toxic, ozone-depleting pesticide methyl bromide have been 
taken recently by international, regional, national, and state 
government bodies.  

Worldwide usage of methyl bromide amounted to some 67,000 tons in 
1990, of which pesticidal applications accounted for 95%.  
Methyl bromide emissions are believed to have caused 5-10% of 
observed levels of ozone depletion, according to a United Nations 
Environment Programme (UNEP) assessment. This figure is projected 
to reach 15% by 2000 if global methyl bromide production continues to 
grow at the current rate of 5-6% per annum.

At their November 1992 meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, signatory 
countries to the UNEP Montreal Protocol added methyl bromide to  
their list of internationally recognized ozone-depleting substances, and 
agreed to freeze methyl bromide production and use at 1991 levels by 
January 1st 1995. 
The freeze, which exempts quarantine and pre-shipment uses, will 
become effective after ratification by at least 20 of the 90-plus Protocol 
member nations, a process that knowledgeable sources say takes about 
two years.  The Copenhagen meeting also passed a non-binding 
resolution calling for a 25% reduction in methyl bromide emissions, 
production, and consumption by year 2000.  

UNEP is currently convening a Technical Options Committee to study 
and recommend alternatives to methyl bromide use as a soil and 
commodity  fumigant, and in buildings to control structural pests. The 
Technical CommitteeUs report and recommendations will be presented 
to the 1994 Montreal Protocol meeting.  U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) officials involved in organizing the UNEP committee 
say they expect 25 to 30 people will be invited to serve on it, including 
two to five representatives citizens' organizations.

The European Community Environment Ministers are reported to 
favor increasing restrictions on methyl bromide use, and the fumigant 
has been added to a list of products covered by a proposed EC regulation 
placing more severe restrictions on ozone-depleting chemicals than the 
Montreal Protocol.   

The U.S. is the major user of methyl bromide, accounting for about 
42% of global sales.  To date, a draft rule to list methyl bromide under 
the U.S. Clean Air Act has been successfully opposed by the 
Department of Agriculture and the White House Office of 
Management and Budget, in spite of EPA support. The incoming 
Clinton administration is widely expected to support a methyl bromide 
phase out and approve the listing, however.  Listing under the Act 
would require a U.S. methyl bromide phase out by the year 2000. 

Approximately 35% of U.S. methyl bromide use occurs in California. In 
December 1992, citing the Montreal Protocol freeze and the Clean Air 
Act, the California Environmental Protection Agency and Department 
of Food and Agriculture announced the formation of a task force to 
explore development of alternative technologies and procedures to 
eliminate methyl bromide emissions from structural and agricultural 
uses in the state. Task force members, whose first meeting is scheduled 
on February 4, will include state regulatory officials, representatives of 
agriculture and commodity groups, representatives of the structural 
pest control industry, university extension specialists, and at least three 
citizens' organizations.

For more information, contact PAN North America Regional Center.

Sources:  Into the Sunlight: Exposing Methyl BromideUs Threat to the 
Ozone Layer, Friends of the Earth, November 1992; Pesticide and Toxic 
Chemical News, December 2, 1992; Agrow, December 4, 1992; Joint 
California Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Food 
and Agriculture News Report, and Panna staff conversations with Bill 
Thomas, U.S. EPA, January 1993.






========================================================
This information is provided by the Pesticide Action Network North 
America Updates Service (PANUPS), a pesticide-related news service 
from the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North American 
Regional Center. Updates are posted weekly on EcoNet in 
"en.pesticides," "en.agriculture" and other appropriate electronic 
conferences, and distributed worldwide across the APC computer 
network. PANUPS is also posted in the Public Conference on RTK 
NET, on GeoNet in the PESTICIDES-BBS bulletin board, on FidoNet in 
The Ecology Network, on the Sustainable Agriculture Network 
(SANET) on BitNet, and on PENpages agriculture information service 
at Penn State Univ. Hard-copy compilations of these updates are also 
available. For more information about PAN activities and publications, 
contact: PAN NA RC, 965 Mission Street #514, San Francisco, CA 94103. 
Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. Telex: 156283472 PANNA. E-mail 
address on EcoNet: panna@igc.apc.org
========================================================



From panna@igc.apc.org Wed Jan 20 22:47:13 1993
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
To: 
Subject: PANUPS: Pesticide Dumping in Eastern Europe
Cc: alair%well@apc.org, ddickerson@igc.apc.org
Sender: mail2conf@igc.apc.org
Resent-To: Moderator of conference bitl.sanet <sanet-mg@oes.orst.edu>
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X-Status: 


========================================================
PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES 
SERVICE
========================================================
PESTICIDE DUMPING IN EASTERN EUROPE

January 20, 1993

	Around 12,000 tons of unwanted pesticides, buried in various 
sites around Poland, are an "ecological bomb" waiting to explode, 
according to a report recently submitted to the Polish Ministry of 
Agriculture and Food by the Polish Plant Protection Institute. The 
problem is so dangerous that it requires "rapid and fundamental 
actions" and expert knowledge for it to be resolved.
	When it became apparent in the early 1970s that the centrally 
planned economy was overproducing certain pesticides, an attempt 
was made to solve the problem by burying the surplus in "tombs" 
(concrete-lined bunkers). There are now some 200 officially registered 
tombs with a capacity of 6,000 tons. It is believed that the real number 
of tombs is considerably higher - around 1,000 tombs containing 12,000 
tons of pesticides. The Polish Plant Protection Council recommends 
immediate assessment of water and soil contamination in places of 
storage for unwanted pesticides, and action to protect the 
environment if serious contamination is found. The report also urges 
studies on suitable means of destroying onsolete pesticides. used 
containers, and other pesticide waste.
	Meanwhile, fears of a major pesticide waste disposal problem in 
the former East Germany are growing. Around 3,000 tons of pesticides 
lost their registrations with German unification or when the transition 
period expired at the end of 1992. The old stocks are lying around on 
the premises of former agrochemical depots, on farms themselves, 
and at three northern area wholesalers. Experts have forecast that the 
cost of clearing the stocks from one state alone will be at least 
DM750,000 (US$500,000), but there is still little idea of how it will 
actually be carried out.
	One German firm has tried to solve their waste disposal 
problem by exporting outdated pesticides to Albania, calling the 
shipments "humanitarian aid." Schmidt-Cretan of Hanover, 
Germany claims that the products, banned for use in Germany because 
they contain mercury, dioxins and lindane, are for active use and are 
not waste. This claim has been rejected by the Albanian Agriculture 
Ministry, as the chemicals had already passed their expiration date, 
thus making them waste In addition, some of these products, 
currently held in storage, are banned in Albania as well as the 
European Community. A Greenpeace toxic waste expert estimates that 
disposing of such waste in Germany costs DM5,000-11,000 (US$6,600 to 
US$18,260) a ton. The company has refused to take back more than 400 
tons of the pesticides seized so far. 

Source: Agrow, November 6 and December 4, 1992.

For more information, contact Greenpeace Germany,  Votsetzen 53, D-
2000  Hamburg 11, Germany,; telephone 49 40 3111860

This information is provided by the Pesticide Action Network North 
America Updates Service (PANUPS), a pesticide-related news service 
from the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North American 
Regional Center. Updates are posted weekly on EcoNet in 
"en.pesticides," "en.agriculture" and other appropriate electronic 
conferences, and distributed worldwide across the APC computer 
network. PANUPS is also posted in the Public Conference on RTK 
NET, on GeoNet in the PESTICIDES-BBS bulletin board, on FidoNet in 
The Ecology Network, on the Sustainable Agriculture Network 
(SANET) on BitNet, and on PENpages agriculture information service 
at Penn State Univ. Hard-copy compilations of these updates are also 
available. For more information about PAN activities and publications, 
contact: PAN NA RC, 965 Mission Street #514, San Francisco, CA 94103. 
Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. Telex: 156283472 PANNA. E-mail 
address on EcoNet: panna@igc.apc.org
========================================================
==



From panna@igc.apc.org Fri Jan 22 19:33:23 1993
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
To: ddickerson@igc.apc.org, elcidwr@gn.apc.org, psupen.psu.edu%vtxmgr1@apc.org
Subject: PANUPS: Japan-to-Cambodia Pesticide Aid
Cc: f1.n7711.z5.gnfido.fidonet.org%Abou_Thiam@apc.org, alair%well@apc.org,
        vtxmgr1@psupena.psu.edu
Sender: mail2conf@igc.apc.org
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Status: RO
X-Status: 


PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=========================================================
JAPANESE NGOS SPEAK OUT ON AGRO-TOXIC AID TO CAMBODIA

January 22, 1992

Japanese citizens' and environmental groups, including the Japan 
Tropical Forest Action Network (JATAN), Japan Consumers' Union,  
Friends of the Earth Japan,  Official Development Assistance 
(ODA) Study Group, and the Pacific-Asia Resource Center (PARC) 
visited the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 22, 1992, to 
urge re-appraisal of a major agricultural grant package destined for 
Cambodia. The Japanese government is planning to provide grant aid 
totalling 500 million yen (about US$4 million) for agricultural 
chemicals, chemical fertilizers and agricultural equipment to Cambodia 
as Raid for increased food production.S 350 million yen worth of 
agricultural chemicals will be sent, including diazinon, sumithion, and 
sumicidin manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co. and Nippon 
Kayaku Co.
	The government has refused to release to citizensU groups in 
Cambodia or Japan any information on the aid package, including plans 
on how these chemicals would be used in Cambodia. It also appears that 
no environmental impact assessment or feasibility study has been 
conducted on the aid project. Shipments to Cambodia were scheduled to 
begin in late December 1992. 
	The ecological balance in other Southeast Asian countries, 
including Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, has been 
damaged by heavy use of agricultural chemicals, causing the emergence 
of huge pest populations and a subsequent decrease in food production. 
NGOs active in Cambodia fear the same will happen to the 
agroecosystems in that country, where a balance currently exists 
between pests and their natural enemies. Moreover, the NGOs are 
concerned that the aid program will lead to massive future imports of 
agrochemicals from Japan, leading to a repetition of the tragedies of 
other Asian nations heavily burdened by debts from the purchase of 
agricultural chemicals and fertilizers.
	The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 
has advised against the pesticide donation to Cambodia.  Despite this,  
Japanese government seems intent on proceeding. The Grant Aid 
Division of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has told representatives of 
concerned NGOs that "appropriate local guidance" will be provided by 
NGOs in Cambodia, and that only "registered and safe agrochemicals" 
will be used in this aid grant.   Questioned on specific guidance and 
monitoring measures, Mikio Nakamura, senior assistant for grant aid, 
admitted that there is really no means to  supervise the use of these 
chemicals by individual farmers. 
	On January 12, representatives of the Coordination Committee 
for Cambodia (CCC), which consists of Japanese and other NGOs 
concerned with the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Cambodia, 
expressed their opposition to this agricultural aid program to the 
Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture and the Japanese Embassy in 
Cambodia. NGOs concerned with the negative impact of this plan and 
the secrecy with which it has been surrounded will continue to meet 
with Japanese and Cambodian officials concerning the environmental 
impact of pesticide use in Cambodia and the problems with lack of 
public disclosure.
	Concerned citizens throughout the world are urged to write 
letters to the Japanese Ministry of Forestry,  and to the Japanese Embassy 
in their own countries, calling for immediate suspension of the "Aid 
for Increased Food Production" project in Cambodia.  Address letters to :
Mikio Watanabe, Foreign Minister, 2-2-1 Kasumigaseki Chiyoda-ku, 
Tokyo 100, Japan; fax (81-3) 5511-8638.

	SOURCE/CONTACT: JATAN, 7-2-802 UGUISUDANI-CHO, 
SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO 150, JAPAN; PHONE (81-3) 3770-6308; FAX: 
(81-3) 3770-0727
=========================================================
	This information is provided by the Pesticide Action Network North 
America Updates Service (PANUPS), a pesticide-related news service from 
the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North American Regional Center. 
Updates are posted weekly on EcoNet in the "en.pesticides," 
"en.agriculture" and other appropriate electronic conferences, and 
distributed worldwide across the APC computer network. PANUPS is also 
posted in the Public Conference on RTK NET, on GeoNet in the 
PESTICIDES-BBS bulletin board, on FidoNet in The Ecology Network, on 
the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SANET) on BitNet, and on PENpages 
agriculture information service at Penn State Univ. Hard-copy compilations 
of these updates are also available. For more information about PAN 
activities and publications, contact: PAN NA RC, 965 Mission Street #514, 
San Francisco, CA 94103. Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. Telex: 
156283472 PANNA. E-mail address on EcoNet: panna@igc.apc.org
==========================================================



From panna@igc.apc.org Tue Jan 26 23:28:38 1993
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	id AA06469; Tue, 26 Jan 93 17:17:10 PST
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Date: Tue, 26 Jan 93 17:17:10 PST
Resent-From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
To: 
Subject: PANUPS: Childhood Brain Cancer
Cc: 
Sender: mail2conf@igc.apc.org
Resent-To: Moderator of conference bitl.sanet <sanet-mg@oes.orst.edu>
Status: O
X-Status: 

========================================================
PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES 
SERVICE
========================================================
CHILDHOOD BRAIN CANCER AND HOUSEHOLD PETICIDE USE

January 26, 1993

	An epidemiological study published this month in the 
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 
explores statistical evidence of a link between brain cancer in 
children and family use of pesticides in and around the affected 
child's home. In this case-control study,  brain cancer cases in 
Missouri children from birth to ten years were compared with 
two control groups - one consisting of children with other types 
of cancer and one of healthy children who were known by the 
families of the children with brain cancer. The children in the 
"other cancers" control group were identified from state health 
registry records. Each child in the "friends" control group of 
healthy children was pair-matched by age and sex to a child in the 
brain cancer case group. The study examined pesticide use for 
common household pests (roaches, ants, mosquitoes, fleas, and 
ticks), termites, lice, and garden and landscape pest insects and 
weeds. For each pesticide use situation, mothers of all cases and 
controls were asked the number of times that pesticides were 
used during pregnancy and in the interval between birth and six 
months, and the average number of times per year that pesticides 
were used between the time the child studied was seven months 
of age and the time that the child was diagnosed with cancer (or, 
in the case of healthy controls, when the child was of the same 
age that his or her "matched" counterpart in the brain cancer 
group was diagnosed.)
	Several statistically significant correlations were found. The 
authors of the study comment that the results should be interpreted 
cautiously, as the group studied is relatively small and geographically 
limited, and the data interpreted is drawn from recall by parents (often 
over many years) and involves multiple types of data for comparison.  
However, the authors see their findings as suggestive of relationships 
between the use of certain pesticides and childhood brain cancer.
	Some of the active ingredients showing the strongest 
correlations with increased prevalence of brain or other cancers are 
suspected human carcinogens based on laboratory toxicology. For 
example, household products containing the insecticides lindane (used 
in Kwell prescription shampoo for lice control), carbaryl (used in many 
garden pest control products, as well as flea products for dogs), and 
dichlorvos (an active ingredient in no-pest strips and flea control 
collars for pets during the study  period) all showed significant 
relationships to the prevalence of childhood brain cancer.  Use of the 
insecticide diazinon in the garden was also associated with childhood 
brain cancer in comparison to controls.
	 Other  significant results include increased prevalence of brain 
cancer correlated with "any termite treatment" to the child's home 
within a year prior to residence, or at any time from the beginning of 
pregnancy to the time the child was diagnosed with brain cancer.  Yard 
herbicide use between the time of pregnancy and the age of six months 
was significantly linked with a higher occurrence of childhood brain 
cancer when compared with controls from the group of children with 
other cancers.  There was also a significant increase in the prevalence of 
brain cancer associated with yard herbicides when the child studied was 
over the age of seven months, compared with healthy controls.
	The researchers report that these multiple significant findings 
illustrate the need for further research and examination of associations 
between pesticide exposure and serious diseases such as cancer.  The 
evidence resulting from this case-control study is also consistent with 
relationships between exposure and cancer reported by laboratory and 
other field research.

SOURCE:  "Family Pesticide Use and Childhood Brain Cancer," by JR 
Davis, RC Brownson, R Garcia, BK Bentz, and A Turner, Archives of 
Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 24, 87-92.

CONTACT: Dr. James R. Davis,  Chronic Disease Prevention and 
Health Promotion, Missouri Department of Health, 201 Business Loop 
70 W., Columbia, MO 65203, USA.
========================================================
This information is provided by the Pesticide Action Network North 
America Updates Service (PANUPS), a pesticide-related news service 
from the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North American Regional 
Center. Updates are posted weekly on EcoNet in the "en.pesticides," 
"en.agriculture" and other appropriate electronic conferences, and 
distributed worldwide across the APC computer network. PANUPS is 
also posted in the Public Conference on RTK NET, on GeoNet in the 
PESTICIDES-BBS bulletin board, on FidoNet in The Ecology Network, 
on the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SANET) on BitNet, and on 
PENpages agriculture information service at Penn State Univ. Hard-
copy compilations of these updates are also available. For more 
information about PAN activities and publications, contact: PAN NA 
RC, 965 Mission Street #514, San Francisco, CA 94103. Tel: (415) 541-
9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. Telex: 156283472 PANNA. E-mail address on 
EcoNet: panna@igc.apc.org
========================================================


From panna@igc.apc.org Fri Feb  5 21:32:14 1993
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
To: 
Subject: PANUPS: address correction
Cc: vtxmgr1%psupen.psu.edu.ddickerson.Abou_Thiam@f1.n7711.z5.gnfido
Sender: mail2conf@igc.apc.org
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X-Status: 

Correct phone number for Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides
is (503)344-5044 (given as contact in PANUPS on Delaney Clause)

From panna@igc.apc.org Fri Feb  5 21:32:24 1993
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
To: 
Subject: PANUPS: EPA's Browner on Delaney Clause
Cc: ddickerson@igc.apc.org
Sender: mail2conf@igc.apc.org
Resent-To: Moderator of conference bitl.sanet <sanet-mg@oes.orst.edu>
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X-Status: 

=========================================================
PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=========================================================
EPA ADMINISTRATOR BROWNER ISSUES STATEMENT ON DELANEY 
CLAUSE

February 4, 1993


In response to reports appearing in national news media, incoming 
Administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Carol 
Browner released a statement on pesticide regulation February 2,  to 
clarify her position on the Delaney Clause, part of the federal Food, 
Drug, and Cosmetic Act.  News reports had announced that EPA, under 
Browner's direction, planned to ask Congress to relax the Delaney 
standards, which prohibit pesticide and other additives in processed 
foods if they are found to cause cancer in humans or animals.  
Following a 1988 National Academy of Sciences (NAS) 
recommendation, EPA policy has exempted pesticides determined to 
pose "negligible cancer risk" from meeting Delaney Clause standards. 
This policy was overturned in July 1992 by the Ninth Circuit Court of 
Appeals.  An industry group has appealed this decision to the US 
Supreme Court, which is expected to announce in March whether they 
well hear this appeal. Should the Supreme Court choose not to hear the 
case, the Court of  Appeals decision could result in cancelled registration 
of dozens of potentially cancer-causing pesticides.

 Browner's official statement maintains that "at no time" has she said she 
plans to relax the Delaney Clause, that she will see that the Court of Appeals 
decision is enforced, and that food safety laws need to be improved to "give 
the public more protection, not less." Environmental and consumer 
advocacy groups are pleased that Administrator Browner's support for 
improved food safety represents a positive change from the position of the 
previous EPA Administrator, William Reilly.  Before leaving office, Reilly 
issued a statement ton January 19 maintaining that the Court of Appeals 
decision upholding a strict interpretation of the Delaney Clause "does not . . 
. reflect good public policy or good science policy."

However, many still question the extent of Browner's  committment to a 
strict interpretation of the Delaney Clause. In a February 2 EPA Note to 
Correspondents, Browner states that the thirty-two pesticides included in 
the EPA list of pesticide uses potentially affected by revocation of the 
"negligible risk" standard do not "pose an unreasonable risk to public 
health, based on available data."  In contrast, the Court of Appeals decision 
affirms the medical and legal position that no risk of cancer is acceptable in a
food additive.   Environmental and food safety advocates will continue to 
pressure EPA to develop a concrete policy to keep carcinogens out of the US 
food supply.

Details on the Delaney Clause statement will appear in the Federal Register, 
probably within a week of EPA's statement.  Reporters can obtain copies of 
the Federal Register notice by contacting Al Heier at the EPA Public Affairs 
office, (202) 260-4374.  Citizens seeking copies of the EPA notices regarding 
the Delaney Clause,  or of the National Food Processor's Association 
petition to the US Supreme Court, can contact the EPA Public Response and 
Program Resources Office, Field Operations Division, (703) 305-5805.

ACTION NEEDED

EPA is now seeking comments on whether the Delaney Clause should be 
modified to permit "negligible risk" tolerances of pesticides in processed 
food.  Write to Administrator Browner and insist that EPA must keep 
carcinogens out of our food while taking decisive action to promote the 
development and implementation of nontoxic alternatives to pesticides. 
Letters, faxes, and phone calls should be received by March 12, according to 
EPA's Office of Public Affairs.  The Natural Resources Defense Council asks 
that copies of this correspondence be sent to Vice President Al Gore, Senator 
Edward Kennedy, Representative Henry Waxman, and White House 
Liaison for the Environment Katie McGinty.

LETTERS: Carol M. Browner, Administrator, US EPA, 401 M St. SW, 
Washington, DC, 20460.   Phone: (202) 260-4700  Fax: (202) 382-4852.

Vice President Al Gore, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW,  Washington, DC 
20500
	
Congressman Henry Waxman, 2418 Rayburn , House Office Building, 
Washington, DC 20515

Senator Edward Kennedy, 315 Russell Building, Washington, DC, 20510

Katie McGinty, Liaison for the Environment, The White House, 1600 
Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20500

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  

Al Meyerhoff, Natural Resources Defense Council,  71 Stevenson St., suite 
1825, San Francisco, CA 94105.  Phone (415) 777-0220

Norma Grier, Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides,  Box 1393, 
Eugene, OR 97440  Phone: (503) 344-05044

Jay Feldman, National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides,  701 E ST 
#200, Washington, DC, 20003  Phone: (202) 543-5450

============================================================
This information is provided by the Pesticide Action Network North 
America Updates Service (PANUPS), a pesticide-related news service from 
the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North American Regional Center. 
Updates are posted weekly on EcoNet in the "en.pesticides," 
"en.agriculture" and other appropriate electronic conferences, and 
distributed worldwide across the APC computer network. PANUPS is also 
posted in the Public Conference on RTK NET, on GeoNet in the 
PESTICIDES-BBS bulletin board, on FidoNet in The Ecology Network, on 
the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SANET) on BitNet, and on PENpages 
agriculture information service at Penn State Univ. Hard-copy compilations 
of these updates are also available.  Permission to reprint or repost PANUPS 
is granted, providing that the source is credited.  Please inform us of where 
PANUPS is circulated.  For more information about PAN activities and 
publications, contact: PAN NA RC, 965 Mission Street #514, San Francisco, 
CA 94103. Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. Telex: 156283472 PANNA. 
E-mail address on EcoNet: panna@igc.apc.org
==========================================================



From panna@igc.apc.org Fri Feb 12 00:48:39 1993
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
To: 
Subject: PANUPS
Cc: ddickerson@igc.apc.org, vtxmgr1%psupen@apc.org
Sender: mail2conf@igc.apc.org
Resent-To: Moderator of conference bitl.sanet <sanet-mg@oes.orst.edu>
Status: RO
X-Status: 


========================================================
PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
========================================================
California Establishes Methyl Bromide Task Force

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) and the 
Department of Agriculture (DFA) have convened a statewide Task 
Force to deal with the pending loss of methyl bromide, a widely used 
fumigant pesticide slated for listing under the Clean Air Act as an 
ozone depleting chemical.  Under the provisions of the Clean Air Act, 
U.S. production of methyl bromide will be frozen this year at 1991 
levels, and all U.S. uses of the fumigant must be phased out by the year 
2000 without exception.  

The first meeting of the California Methyl Bromide Research Task 
Force was held on February 2.  At this meeting, Co-chairs James Wells 
(Director of DPR) and Henry Voss (Director of DFA) stressed to 
members that their goal is to facilitate the development of alternatives 
to methyl bromide in California, vs. debating the phase out decision or 
the science upon which it is based.  The Task Force is charged with 
assessing national and international research to determine the status of 
available alternatives for use in California; identifying areas of research 
that need further investigation; and preparing a report of findings and 
recommendations to the two convening agencies. 

The 28 member Task Force includes representatives of the stateUs 
agricultural and research communities, commercial pest control 
companies, chemical companies, environmental organizations and 
several farmers.  Environmental and public interest organizations 
currently represented on the Task Force are Californians for 
Alternatives to Toxics, California Institute for Rural Studies, and 
California Rural Legal Assistance.  According to DPR Special Assistant 
Tobi Jones, a limited number of new members may be added to the 
Task Force, based on ability to contribute to technical aspects of Task 
Force mandates.  

At the February 2 meeting, U.S. EPA Office of Atmospheric Programs 
staff Bill Thomas presented the agencyUs plans to list and phase out 
methyl bromide and efforts to fund alternatives research.  Californians 
for Alternatives to Toxics Director Patricia Clary described the process 
to establish a timetable for a global phase out of methyl bromide under 
the United Nations Montreal Protocol.  Several Task Force members 
stressed the urgency of accelerating research in order to have 
alternative management regimes and control methods available by the 
phase out deadline; quarantine uses were mentioned as particularly  
critical.  Criteria for acceptable alternatives were also discussed.  DFA 
official Don Henry described the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
methyl bromide research plan, which focuses on controlling emissions 
from currently registered uses, and said DFA has funded a study of 
anticipated economic impacts of the phase out by University of 
California economist Jerry Siebert, which is now undergoing final 
edits.  

California Methyl Bromide Research Task Force meetings are expected 
to be held on an approximately bi-monthly schedule; the next meeting 
has not been scheduled.  

Contacts:

Patricia Clary, Californians for Alternatives to Toxics, 860 1/2 11th 
Street, Arcata, CA 95521, USA.  tel: (707) 822-8497, fax: (707) 822-0827

Will Allen, California Institute for Rural Studies, 922 J Street, Suite 223, 
Modesto, CA 95354, USA.  tel: (202) 544-9677, fax: (209) 892-7158

Tobi Jones, Special Assistant, California DPR, P.O. Box 942871, 
Sacramento, CA 94271-0001, USA.  tel: (916) 657-4490, fax: (916) 654-7667

Carl DeWing, CDFA Communications, 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA 
95814, USA.  tel: (916) 654-0462, fax: (916) 654-7667



========================================================
This information is provided by the Pesticide Action Network North 
America Updates Service (PANUPS), a pesticide-related news service from the
Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North American Regional Center. Updates are
posted weekly on EcoNet in "en.pesticides," "en.agriculture" and other
appropriate electronic conferences, and 
distributed worldwide across the APC computer network. PANUPS is also posted in
the Public Conference on RTK NET, on GeoNet in the 
PESTICIDES-BBS bulletin board, on FidoNet in The Ecology Network, on the
Sustainable Agriculture Network (SANET) on BitNet, and on PENpages agriculture
information service at Penn State Univ. Hard-copy compilations of these updates
are also available. For more information about PAN activities and publications,
contact: PAN NA RC, 965 Mission Street #514, San Francisco, CA 94103. Tel: (415)
541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. Telex: 156283472 PANNA. E-mail address on EcoNet:
panna@igc.apc.org
========================================================



From panna@igc.apc.org Fri Feb 12 00:48:48 1993
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Date: Thu, 11 Feb 93 18:23:05 PST
Resent-From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
To: 
Subject: PANUPS
Cc: ddickerson@igc.apc.org, vtxmgr1@psupen.psu
Sender: mail2conf@igc.apc.org
Resent-To: Moderator of conference bitl.sanet <sanet-mg@oes.orst.edu>
Status: RO
X-Status: 


========================================================
PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
========================================================
California Establishes Methyl Bromide Task Force

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) and the 
Department of Agriculture (DFA) have convened a statewide Task 
Force to deal with the pending loss of methyl bromide, a widely used 
fumigant pesticide slated for listing under the Clean Air Act as an 
ozone depleting chemical.  Under the provisions of the Clean Air Act, 
U.S. production of methyl bromide will be frozen this year at 1991 
levels, and all U.S. uses of the fumigant must be phased out by the year 
2000 without exception.  

The first meeting of the California Methyl Bromide Research Task 
Force was held on February 2.  At this meeting, Co-chairs James Wells 
(Director of DPR) and Henry Voss (Director of DFA) stressed to 
members that their goal is to facilitate the development of alternatives 
to methyl bromide in California, vs. debating the phase out decision or 
the science upon which it is based.  The Task Force is charged with 
assessing national and international research to determine the status of 
available alternatives for use in California; identifying areas of research 
that need further investigation; and preparing a report of findings and 
recommendations to the two convening agencies. 

The 28 member Task Force includes representatives of the stateUs 
agricultural and research communities, commercial pest control 
companies, chemical companies, environmental organizations and 
several farmers.  Environmental and public interest organizations 
currently represented on the Task Force are Californians for 
Alternatives to Toxics, California Institute for Rural Studies, and 
California Rural Legal Assistance.  According to DPR Special Assistant 
Tobi Jones, a limited number of new members may be added to the 
Task Force, based on ability to contribute to technical aspects of Task 
Force mandates.  

At the February 2 meeting, U.S. EPA Office of Atmospheric Programs 
staff Bill Thomas presented the agencyUs plans to list and phase out 
methyl bromide and efforts to fund alternatives research.  Californians 
for Alternatives to Toxics Director Patricia Clary described the process 
to establish a timetable for a global phase out of methyl bromide under 
the United Nations Montreal Protocol.  Several Task Force members 
stressed the urgency of accelerating research in order to have 
alternative management regimes and control methods available by the 
phase out deadline; quarantine uses were mentioned as particularly  
critical.  Criteria for acceptable alternatives were also discussed.  DFA 
official Don Henry described the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
methyl bromide research plan, which focuses on controlling emissions 
from currently registered uses, and said DFA has funded a study of 
anticipated economic impacts of the phase out by University of 
California economist Jerry Siebert, which is now undergoing final 
edits.  

California Methyl Bromide Research Task Force meetings are expected 
to be held on an approximately bi-monthly schedule; the next meeting 
has not been scheduled.  

Contacts:

Patricia Clary, Californians for Alternatives to Toxics, 860 1/2 11th 
Street, Arcata, CA 95521, USA.  tel: (707) 822-8497, fax: (707) 822-0827

Will Allen, California Institute for Rural Studies, 922 J Street, Suite 223, 
Modesto, CA 95354, USA.  tel: (202) 544-9677, fax: (209) 892-7158

Tobi Jones, Special Assistant, California DPR, P.O. Box 942871, 
Sacramento, CA 94271-0001, USA.  tel: (916) 657-4490, fax: (916) 654-7667

Carl DeWing, CDFA Communications, 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA 
95814, USA.  tel: (916) 654-0462, fax: (916) 654-7667



========================================================
This information is provided by the Pesticide Action Network North 
America Updates Service (PANUPS), a pesticide-related news service from the
Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North American Regional Center. Updates are
posted weekly on EcoNet in "en.pesticides," "en.agriculture" and other
appropriate electronic conferences, and 
distributed worldwide across the APC computer network. PANUPS is also posted in
the Public Conference on RTK NET, on GeoNet in the 
PESTICIDES-BBS bulletin board, on FidoNet in The Ecology Network, on the
Sustainable Agriculture Network (SANET) on BitNet, and on PENpages agriculture
information service at Penn State Univ. Hard-copy compilations of these updates
are also available. For more information about PAN activities and publications,
contact: PAN NA RC, 965 Mission Street #514, San Francisco, CA 94103. Tel: (415)
541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. Telex: 156283472 PANNA. E-mail address on EcoNet:
panna@igc.apc.org
========================================================



