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EPA ANNOUNCES ELIMINATION OF ALL INDOOR USES OF WIDELY-USEDPESTICIDE DIAZINON; BEGINS PHASE-OUT OF LAWN AND GARDEN USESFOR RELEASE: TUESDAY, DEC. 5, 2000 Today, EPA announced an agreement to phase-out diazinon, one of the most widely used pesticides in the United States, for indoor uses, beginning in March 2001, and for all lawn, garden and turf uses by December 2003. “The Clinton-Gore Administration continues to aggressively target for elimination those pesticides that pose the greatest risk to human health and the environment, and especially those posing the greatest risk to children,” said Carol M. Browner, EPA Administrator. “The action we are taking today is another major step toward ensuring that all Americans can enjoy greater safety from exposure to harmful pesticides.” “Today’s action will significantly eliminate the vast majority of organophosphate insecticide products in and around the home, and by implementing this phase-out, it will help encourage consumers to move to safer pest control practice,” said Browner. Diazinon is the most widely used pesticide by homeowners on lawns, and is one of the most widely used pesticide ingredients for application around the home and in gardens. It is used to control insects and grub worms. The agreement reached today with the manufacturers, Syngenta and Makhteshim Agan, will eliminate 75 percent of the use which amounts to more than 11 million pounds of the pesticide used annually. EPA is taking this action under the Food Quality Protection Act, which President Clinton signed into law in 1996 after the Administration helped lead the way for the new, tougher national pesticide law. Since then, EPA has targeted a large group of older, riskier pesticides called organophosphates for review because they pose the greatest potential risk to children. In August of 1999, for example, EPA announced action against methyl parathion and azinphos methyl to protect children from pesticide residues in food. The Agency reached an agreement to halt by December 2000 the manufacture of chlorpyrifos, or Dursban, for nearly all residential uses. Diazinon – used in homes, and on lawns and gardens – is the latest organophosphate to be phased out. Specifically, the terms of the agreement implement the following phase-out schedules:
Organophosphates can affect the nervous system. The effects from diazinon vary depending on the dose, but symptoms from over-exposure can include nausea, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, and general weakness. Today’s action also represents an important step for the environment. Diazinon’s use on turf poses a risk to birds, and it is one of the most commonly found pesticides in air, rain, and drinking and surface water. It is legal to purchase and use diazinon products according to label directions and precautions. Consumers should take special care to always read and follow the label directions and precautions. If consumers choose to discontinue use, they should contact their state or local hazardous waste disposal program or the local solid waste collection service for information on proper disposal. Additional information can be found at: www.epa.gov/pesticides. R-179 # # # Release date:12/05/2000 Receive our News Releases Automatically by Email
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