Despite EPA Decision, Pesticide Is Still Readily Available
Despite EPA Decision, Pesticide Is Still Readily Available
June 20, 2000 -- News headlines over the past few weeks may have consumers convinced they'll never again see, hear of, or have to worry about the pesticide Dursban. Yes, new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules call for manufacturing of the product to cease. But it may be a bit premature to say the pesticide has been banned. The truth is, Dursban isn't going away anytime soon.
"I don't believe 'banned' is exactly true," says Tina Williams, an anti-Dursban activist from Long Island, N.Y. "I think the EPA did the best job they could, when you're dealing with the chemical industry, the farm industry, and a company like Dow [which manufactures Dursban]. But it still leaves the product on the market."
Dursban and its sister product Lorsban are trade names for the widely used pesticide chlorpyrifos. More than 800 products contain the substance, including pet flea collars, lawn-care products, and indoor and outdoor bug sprays. Earlier this month, the federal government and manufacturers agreed to phase out most uses of the pesticide.
But Williams notes that under terms of the agreement between the EPA and Dow, use of Dursban might continue at least until the end of 2005 -- for "preconstruction" termite control. And the Georgia Pest Control Association, for one, is advising its members it could be available even longer than that.
Manufacturing of the chemical for retail sale, for use in homes and gardens, will end on Dec. 1 this year. But once that final stock gets into stores, retailers will have until the end of next December to get rid of it. The same applies for Dursban used to treat schools and playgrounds -- even though the reason for the new regulations is the pesticide's possible long-term effects on growing children.
Jay Feldman, executive director of the National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides, says some uses of Dursban are largely unaffected by the agreement, including applications on golf courses and in agriculture (though the EPA has set down new rules for use on tomatoes, apples, and grapes). Dursban use will also continue in indoor areas where children won't be exposed, such as the holds of ships, boxcars, and food-processing plants.
Despite EPA Decision, Pesticide Is Still Readily Available
June 20, 2000 -- News headlines over the past few weeks may have consumers convinced they'll never again see, hear of, or have to worry about the pesticide Dursban. Yes, new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules call for manufacturing of the product to cease. But it may be a bit premature to say the pesticide has been banned. The truth is, Dursban isn't going away anytime soon.
"I don't believe 'banned' is exactly true," says Tina Williams, an anti-Dursban activist from Long Island, N.Y. "I think the EPA did the best job they could, when you're dealing with the chemical industry, the farm industry, and a company like Dow [which manufactures Dursban]. But it still leaves the product on the market."
Dursban and its sister product Lorsban are trade names for the widely used pesticide chlorpyrifos. More than 800 products contain the substance, including pet flea collars, lawn-care products, and indoor and outdoor bug sprays. Earlier this month, the federal government and manufacturers agreed to phase out most uses of the pesticide.
But Williams notes that under terms of the agreement between the EPA and Dow, use of Dursban might continue at least until the end of 2005 -- for "preconstruction" termite control. And the Georgia Pest Control Association, for one, is advising its members it could be available even longer than that.
Manufacturing of the chemical for retail sale, for use in homes and gardens, will end on Dec. 1 this year. But once that final stock gets into stores, retailers will have until the end of next December to get rid of it. The same applies for Dursban used to treat schools and playgrounds -- even though the reason for the new regulations is the pesticide's possible long-term effects on growing children.
Jay Feldman, executive director of the National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides, says some uses of Dursban are largely unaffected by the agreement, including applications on golf courses and in agriculture (though the EPA has set down new rules for use on tomatoes, apples, and grapes). Dursban use will also continue in indoor areas where children won't be exposed, such as the holds of ships, boxcars, and food-processing plants.
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