Cooperative Extension Service
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Your source for pest management and pesticide news
April 2005 /Volume 28, No. 4
A GEORGIA CLEAN DAY pesticide collection is scheduled for May 18 at UGA
As of December 31, 2004, retailers may no longer sell non-agricultural diazinon products
The EPA is issuing recommendations to improve pesticide labels for products used to control
mosquitoes with ultra-low volume aerial or ground application methods
The EPA Office of Pesticide Programs has released their 2004 annual report
Soybean rust is here, and this EPA website will help you with management information and
approved pesticides
The Georgia Department of Agriculture announced the availability of Caparol4L herbicide
(promethryn) for control of winter and early spring weeds in Georgia cotton
Genetically modified trees will soon help meet our demand for wood and wood products
The European Commission (EC) has recently released a list of 26 genetically modified (GM)
products that may be legally sold in the European Union
Alfalfa may be the next crop to join the Roundup Ready stable
Would it bother you if a food were genetically engineered with a human gene?
FOOD QUALITY PROTECTION ACT AND REREGISTRATION
The EPA has proposed cancellation of lindane tolerances on a variety of food crops
The Endocrine Disruptor Methods Validation Advisory Committee (EDMVAC) met this
week for the first time
Azinphos-methyl registrants, Bayer CropScience,Gowan Company, and MakhteshimAgan of
North America, Inc., have requested that EPA remove some uses from the current registration
Tick attached? Help scientists find out if you are likely to become ill
The federal government released guidance that provides principles and procedures to help
EPA scientists assess cancer risk from exposures to environmental pollutants
Consumers should think twice before installing a system that automatically releases
insecticides to control mosquitoes
The EPA ordered the company “Rizing Sun” of Peoria, Arizona, (the other Peoria) to
immediately stop selling counterfeit “Frontline” flea and tick products
If you decide to eat a blowfly that may be contaminated with mercury, choose the adult fly
rather than the larva
If you have read this far, you deserve something you can use at the next dull dinner party
A GEORGIA CLEAN DAY pesticide collection is scheduled for May 18 at the University of Georgia. Details and pre-registration information can be found at the end of this newsletter. In case you haven’t heard, we collect unwanted pesticides and properly dispose of them at no charge to you.
As of December 31, 2004, retailers may no longer sell non-agricultural diazinon products. This announcement is old news, but some retailers did not get the message. I saw diazinon home products for sale in a local hardware store this week. I spoke with the manager about stop-sale; he also wanted to know why I was such a busybody. The manager did not think his distributor would send him any product that he could not sell legally. Either the distributor had not gotten the news, or the diazinon product was left over from last year.
Both situations leave the store with unwanted liability. The Georgia Department of Agriculture may hear of the infraction and investigate; the store would receive a warning and possibly a fine. In the worst case, the store sells the diazinon to a customer who is subsequently injured while using the diazinon. The store may still be at fault even if the customer was using the diazinonin appropriately. The stop-sale is available on the web at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/op/diazinon.htm
The EPA is issuing recommendations to improve pesticide labels for products used to control mosquitoes with ultra-low volume aerial or ground application methods. The recommendations promote consistency and clarify labeling statements that may have been unclear to users. The improvements will help public health mosquito control officials use the most effective techniques while ensuring that use of these products will not pose unreasonable risks to public health or the environment. The recommendations are:
(EPA Pesticide Program Update, 3-9-05)
The EPA Office of Pesticide Programs has released their 2004 annual report, Taking Care of Business: Protecting Human Health and the Environment (http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/annual/2004/04annualrpt.pdf). The report highlights the accomplishments and key achievements in 2004. There are sections on registration, reregistration and tolerance reassessment, international harmonization, E-government, endangered species, biotechnology, partnerships, and other key areas as well. The hard copy version of the report will be available by March 2005 and will include an interactive CD-ROM, with the same links to supporting documents as the current online version.
Soybean rust is here, and this EPA website will help you with management information and approved pesticides. The USDA has confirmed the presence of soybean rust in Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Soybean rust is believed to have blown in from South America during the 2004 hurricane season. The disease can be devastating, with losses of up to 80 percent reported in Africa and South America. This web site lists fungicides with conventional Section 3 registration and chemicals that have been approved for emergency exemptions. http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/cb/csb_page/updates/soybean_rust.htm
The Georgia Department of Agriculture announced the availability of Caparol 4L herbicide (promethryn) for control of winter and early spring weeds in Georgia cotton. The product will be available under a 24(c) Special Local Needs label. This 24C registration will allow cotton growers in Georgia to make applications up to 14 days before planting rather than the currently approved 30 days before application. By doing this, Caparol 4L will help growers have a more effective control plan for weeds that are resistant to glyphosate. The application rate will be 2.0 pints per acre.
Genetically modified trees will soon help meet our demand for wood and wood products. China has already planted a million poplar trees with a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis that directs the tree to make a toxic protein that kills caterpillars. Brazilian growers are expected to begin commercial planting of genetically altered eucalyptus within the next few years. In the United States, commercial papaya is engineered with a gene to help the tree resist ring spot virus.
The pulp and paper industry anticipates big returns from the genetic engineering. They would like trees that grow more quickly and resist pests and herbicides. Scientists are also changing the tree itself. Some genetically altered aspens produce less lignin (natural tree glue) and more cellulose that can be used to make paper. Low lignin trees could save the paper industry billions of dollars each year.
Genetic engineering could reap benefits in other areas as well. Thanks to a gene from wheat, transgenic chestnuts are resistant to the blight that virtually eliminated chestnuts from the forest. Researchers hope to find a similar solution to make elm resistant to Dutch elm disease. Cottonwoods that carry a bacterial gene can absorb and detoxify mercury from contaminated soils. A gene from snowdrop confers virus resistance to grapefruit. Transgenic varieties of apples, cherries, pears, persimmons, plums, and walnuts are being developed.
Concerns about the genetic modification of trees go beyond the qualms about modified row crops. Trees live for decades, and the pollen can be prodigious. Is it possible to prevent modified trees from interbreeding with naturally occurring trees? Additionally, perennial crops become permanent habitat for a large number of plant and animal species. How would genetically modified tree crops change ecosystems?
Some activist groups have been taking it to the streets. Two deliberate fires have caused $350,000 in damage to facilities that conduct transgenic tree research. Other groups are less radical but just as adamant. The Forest Stewardship Council certifies about 100 million acres of forests worldwide as “sustainable”; the organization refuses to accept transgenic trees on any land it oversees. (Atlanta-Journal Constitution, 4-25-05)
The European Commission (EC) has recently released a list of 26 genetically modified (GM) products that may be legally sold in the European Union. The list numbers 12 varieties of maize, 6 of oilseed rape, 5 of cotton and one of soybean, one biomass and one yeast cream. Existing products on the EC register are subject to the strict labeling and traceability rules for all GMOs under new EU legislation.
All GM food and feed seeking to enter the EU market have to undergo thorough safety assessments. Once on the market and in the EC register, existing products can be sold for 3-9 years, and may stay for a much longer time if an application for renewal of the authorization is submitted.
View the list at http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/food/biotechnology/authorisation/register_notification/index.htm, and get more information at http://www.eubusiness.com/topics/Food/gm.2005-04-18 (Crop Biotech Update, 4-22-05)
Alfalfa may be the next crop to join the Roundup Ready stable. The University of California (UC) reports that the crop will be commercialized by 2005 pending regulatory approval.
UC released “Roundup Ready Alfalfa: An Emerging Technology,” a comprehensive review of RR alfalfa as well as potential issues and impacts of this technology on both production systems and markets. Allen Van Deynze and colleagues found that glyphosate applied at the appropriate growth stage was found to generate at least 95 percent weed control of nearly all weed species invading alfalfa.
The publication also addressed major concerns regarding RR technology such as weed species shifts, weed resistance, possible gene outflow to feral alfalfa, stand removal, and market acceptance for export. See the full document at: http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8153.pdf
Would it bother you if a food were genetically engineered with a human gene? A human enzyme, CYP2B6, is a human enzyme that the body uses to break down toxins. Among other chemicals, this enzyme can defuse more than a dozen pesticides and industrial compounds. Japanese scientists added the human gene to rice. With this addition, the rice can break down a number of different herbicides. Technology currently employed in commercial agriculture confers tolerance to a single herbicide.
Like any progressive technology, this practice offers benefits and risks. Farmers would have more herbicide choices. Additionally, rotation of herbicides reduces the likelihood of weed resistance. However, if the genes that encode for the human enzyme escape to a weed, the weed may become impossible to control. (Science News, 4-16-05)
The EPA has proposed cancellation of lindane tolerances on a variety of food crops, including mushroom, nectarine, apricot, asparagus, avocado, eggplant, grape, guava, mango, pear, pecans, pepper, pineapple, quince, strawberry, tomato, plum and plum [prune, fresh], apple, cherry, peach, celery, collards, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard greens, spinach, Swiss chard, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, melon, okra, onion [dry bulb], pumpkin, squash, and squash [summer]. The registrants have already requested that all of these uses be removed from lindane labels.
A comment period on the proposed action is open until May 16. You can read all about it at http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/cb/csb_page/updates/revoke-lindane.htm
The Endocrine Disruptor Methods Validation Advisory Committee (EDMVAC) met this week for the first time. The EDMVAC replaces the committee formerly known as EDMVS (Endocrine Disruptor Methods Validation Subcommittee), probably because it was impossible to pronounce “EDMVS.” The meeting this week will discuss assays related to Steroidogenesis, Uterotrophic, Fish Screen, and Amphibian Metamorphosis.
Steroidogenesis: creation of steroids. The body makes steroids and uses steroids to make hormones. Any chemical that interferes with this process could have serious effects.
Uterotrophic: affecting the uterus. Scientists examine the uterus of female rats to see if a chemical has an effect. An increase in uterine weight can indicate exposure to a chemical that mimics estrogen.
Fish screen: 1exposing fish to chemicals can reveal developmental and reproductive abnormalities associated with the chemical. 2Used to keep fish from flying into windows on warm summer nights (not usually necessary unless you live in a severe flood plain).
Amphibian Metamorphosis: the rate at which a tadpole’s tail is absorbed into the body as the animal matures can indicate developmental abnormalities linked to chemical exposure.
The EDMVAC was established to provide advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on scientific and technical aspects of the Tier I screens and Tier II assays being considered for the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) (see http://www.epa.gov/scipoly/oscpendo/index.htm). The Committee will evaluate relevant scientific issues, protocols, data, and interpretations of the data for the assays during the validation process. They will also provide advice on the composition of the Tier I screening battery.
The EDMVAC superseded the Endocrine Disruptor Methods Validation Subcommittee (EDMVS) originally chartered under the auspices of EPA’s National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT). The Committee is managed by the Office of Science Coordination and Policy in the Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances.
The agenda and other materials related to the meeting are available at http://www.epa.gov/scipoly/oscpendo/assayvalidation/edmvacmeetings.htm.
Azinphos-methyl registrants, Bayer CropScience, Gowan Company, and Makhteshim Agan of North America, Inc., have requested that EPA remove some uses from the current registration. The requests would terminate azinphos-methyl use in or on caneberries, cotton, cranberries, nectarines, peaches, potatoes, and southern pine seed orchards. http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2005/February/Day-28/p3733.htm
Tick attached? Help scientists find out if you are likely to become ill. The Georgia Division of Public Health, the University of Georgia, and the Georgia Poison Center are conducting a study to help identify areas in Georgia where the chances of getting sick from a tick bite are the greatest. If you find a tick attached to yourself or another person you can call the Georgia Poison Center (404-616-9000 or 800-222-1222) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for information about tick removal, identification, and testing. The Georgia Poison Center will provide information about how to mail the tick to get it tested when you call. The University of Georgia will test the tick for the bacteria that cause tick-borne diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), and tularemia, depending on the species of tick.
Three weeks after you call the Georgia Poison Center , an expert in tick illness from the Georgia Division of Public Health will call you to ask you some questions about exposures to tick habitats and find out if you developed symptoms of tick-borne illness. You will get the results of the tick testing when it is done. If you would like more information about tick-borne diseases in Georgia, call the Georgia Division of Public Health at 404-657-2588 or visit our website at http://www.health.state.ga.us/epi/vbd/tick.asp.
If the tests show that your tick is particularly intelligent, they will send it back. The testing is all part of the No-Tick-Left-on-Your-Behind Act.
The federal government released guidance that provides principles and procedures to help EPA scientists assess cancer risk from exposures to environmental pollutants. The documents, "Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment (Cancer Guidelines)," and "Supplemental Guidance for Assessing Susceptibility from Early-Life Exposure to Carcinogens (Supplemental Guidance)" reflect EPA's evolving approach to cancer risk assessment. The guidelines are prospective only and will apply to the agency's current and future risk assessments of environmental pollutants.
The new cancer guidelines result from significant strides in scientific knowledge, and in EPA's 20-plus years of experience in applying risk assessment principles and practices. The cancer guidelines were last revised in 1986. The cancer guidelines issued today set forth a revised set of recommended principles and procedures to guide EPA scientists and others in assessing the cancer risks resulting from exposure to chemicals or other agents in the environment. The guidelines are also used to inform agency decision makers and the public about risk assessment procedures.
The additional Supplemental Guidance describes possible approaches that EPA could use in assessing cancer risk exposures to children from 0 to 16 years of age. This marks the first time that Supplemental Guidance specifically related to children has been issued. It includes a review of existing scientific literature on chemical effects in animals and humans. The Supplemental Guidance also summarizes the results of the cancer studies that investigated early-life exposure, EPA's analysis of those studies, and analysis to strengthen the scientific basis for adjusting from studies conducted in adults to children. This document is consistent with the National Research Council's 1994 recommendation that "EPA assess risks to infants and children whenever it appears that their risks might be greater than those of adults."
The draft cancer guidelines and draft Supplemental Guidance were announced in the Federal Register on March 3, 2003. Both documents issued as final today have undergone extensive public comment and independent scientific peer review. Both documents and additional information are available at: http://www.epa.gov/cancerguidelines.
Consumers should think twice before installing a system that automatically releases insecticides to control mosquitoes. Many health professionals and entomologists think the risks of these systems outweigh the benefits. If a system applies pesticides automatically on a timer schedule, there may be no one available to monitor the situation. Neighbors, children, and pets could be accidentally exposed to pesticide. Injuries and concomitant liability might be serious. Additionally, the system may be releasing pesticide even when mosquitoes are not present, which risks environmental contamination and accidental exposure for no good reason.
The EPA ordered the company “Rizing Sun” of Peoria, Arizona, (the other Peoria ) to
immediately stop selling 
counterfeit “Frontline” flea and tick products. Apparently, the
company continued to sell and distribute the bogus product even after EPA issued a complaint
that carried a $375,000 fine. The Agency has issued similar complaints against Honolulu
company Pang & Son Distribution, L.L.C., and settled with Tidalwave Distribution, Inc., of
Torrance, California.
Counterfeiting could explain some complaints that we heard from formerly satisfied consumers of popular flea/tick products. Consumers beware. The fake products are very similar to the real thing. This website will help you protect yourself. http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/petproduct.htm (EPA Pesticide News, 4-25-05)
One should always be wary of buying pesticides from the Internet. Some good deals may be available, but there are many more places waiting to pry fools from their money. Although our readers are too smart by half to be taken in by such a ruse, maybe someone in your family is married to someone that is about dumb enough to buy a fake product. If you buy your flea products from a veterinarian, at least you have someone who will listen to your complaints.
If you decide to eat a blowfly that may be contaminated with mercury, choose the adult fly rather than the larva. Blowflies feed on flesh of dead animals. The larvae take up mercury when they feed on contaminated fish. When the flies metamorphose into the adult stage, they are able to readily excrete most of the mercury.
This phenomenon has two interesting implications for the environment. Animals that feed on adult blowflies, rather than the larvae, are less likely to receive a toxic dose of mercury. Secondly, it may be possible to use the flies to clean up mercury contamination in some situations. (Science News, 4-16-05)
If you have read this far, you deserve something you can use at the next dull dinner party. You just can’t have fun anymore. If pesticide and cancer links were not enough to take the edge off of your game, it turns out that balloons and condoms can release chemicals suspected of being human carcinogens. (Science News, 4-23-05) Some people say that science is going too far.
The appearance of any trade name in this newsletter is not intended to endorse that product nor convey negative implications of unmentioned products.
Dear Readers:
The Georgia Pest Management Newsletter is a monthly journal for extension agents, extension specialists, and others interested in pest management news. It provides information on legislation, regulations, and other issues affecting pest management in Georgia .
Do not regard the information in this newsletter as pest management recommendations. Consult the Georgia Pest Management Handbook, other extension publications, or appropriate specialists for this information.
Your input in this newsletter is encouraged.
If you wish to be added to the mailing list, send an e-mail to tall@bugs.ent.uga.edu
Or write us:
Department of Entomology
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602
E-mail: bugman@uga.edu
Or visit us on the Web. You will find all the back issues there and other useful information. http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/entomology/pestnewsletter/newsarchive.html
Sincerely:
Paul Guillebeau, Associate Professor & Extension Entomologist
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, and
The Georgia Department of Ariculture
| Date: | Wednesday, May 18, 2005 |
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| Location: | University of Georgia Soil, Plant and Water Analysis Laboratory 2400 College Station Road Athens, GA 30602-9150 [see map] |
Program Introduction
Pesticides in leaking containers or disposed of improperly may cause environmental damage by contaminating water supplies or harming people and wildlife. Some pesticides that have been used in the past are now in need of proper disposal. this program gives everyone an opportunity to discard old, unusable or cancelled pesticides. No fees are charged for participation in this program and all accepted materials will be turned over to a hazardous waste contractor for disposal.
Program Organization
The Georgia Department of Agriculture through funding provided by the Georgia General Assembly is charged with organizing and administering this program.
Service Area
Individuals wishing to participate in the program must first fill out the pre-registration form and return it to Mr. Frank Henning, UGA Cooperative Extension Service, Clarke County. This information is necessary to plan for the collection, transportation and disposal of the waste pesticides collected.
Program Benefits
This is an excellent opportunity to dispose of pesticides that you have been holding because you had neither an economic nor legal means to dispose of them. Canceled and suspended pesticides, by definition, cannot be used and must be disposed of, often as hazardous waste. Some reasons to participate in this program are —
Eligible Pesticides
All canceled, suspended, unusable and unwanted materials classified as pesticides may be turned in for collection. Please refer to the brief list below to determine what types of materials will or will not be accepted at the event. Please list all pesticides to be turned in on the pre-registration form at the end of this document in order to estimate types and volumes to be collected. Any pesticides without a brand name, trade name or active ingredient on the label may require analysis to determine the contents. Please label all unidentifiable pesticides as "unknown" on the pre-registration form.
| Acceptable Materials | - | Excluded Materials |
| Insecticides Growth regulators Fungicides Harvest aid chemicals Nematicides Bactericides Herbicides Miscellaneous pesticides Probable pesticides |
-- | Compressed gases Solvents Paints Antifreeze Motor oil Explosive materials Fertilizers or nutrients that are neither hazardous or do not contain pesticide admixtures |
Pre-Registration Helps Us Plan for Your Participation
Program Collection
Participants will deliver their waste pesticides to the collection site where the disposal contractor will unload them. There are not forms to sign and you do not have to exit your vehicle. The contractor will accept sole responsibility for the waste and will provide handling, packaging and disposal of the waste pesticides at the collection site.
PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN
PRE-REGISTRATION FORMS TO THE
ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
BY MAY 11, 2005.
| Please send or fax forms to: | Frank Henning |
No safety precautions and protective measures can be suggested that totally eliminate risks. Here, however, are some suggestions that may assist you in minimizing exposure as you work with waste pesticides.
IF YOU HAVE A SPILL:
Call 1-800-241-4113 for Emergency Assistance
For Transporting Waste Materials
DRIVE CAREFULLY. You are responsible for any spillage, damage, subsequent cleanup and restoration that might occur while you are transporting the wastes, whether the accident is your fault of the other driver's. The state and its contractor are not responsible for any spillage that occurs before the contractor at the collection site accepts the waste.
Handling Waste Material
| GEORGIA CLEAN DAY 2005 Waste Pesticide Disposal Program Pre-Registration Form [PDF version of form] -- |
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Overall Condition of Containers (If poor or damaged, please describe in comments section.) |
Size of Container | How many containers of this product? | Estimated total quantity of this product | Comments or Additional Information |
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| Please send fax to: | Frank Henning Athens-Clarke County Extension Agent PO Box 1868 Athens, GA 30603 Phone: 706-613-3640 FAX: 706-613-3643 |
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Map to the UGA Soil, Plant and Water Analysis Laboratory |
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