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From EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs An electronic Buffer Zone Calculator is available in EPA’s Soil Fumigant Toolbox. The EPA developed this new tool to help soil fumigant applicators, growers, enforcement personnel and others determine the buffer zone distances now required by soil fumigant product labels. Buffer zones provide distance between the edge of fields treated with pesticides and bystanders, people who live, work or otherwise spend time nearby.
Kerry Richards, Ph.D., director of the Pesticide Education Program, Penn State University, is quoted in this press release from the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA).
A new publication offered by the Pesticide Education Program in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences provides recommendations for preventing and controlling infestations of wood-destroying insects. Although aimed primarily at pest-control professionals, "Wood-Destroying Pests" provides information useful to homeowners who are confronting the problems the pests cause.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The itch of a mosquito bite is one of the common nuisances of summer. But with mosquito populations seemingly exploding this year -- and cases of mosquito-borne West Nile virus reaching unprecedented numbers nationally -- it's a good idea to take a few simple precautions to reduce the chances of being bitten, says an urban entomologist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.
Pennsylvania’s first human cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) of 2012 have been detected. A Franklin County woman is now recovering after being hospitalized with meningitis due to WNV. A Lancaster County woman is also recovering after contracting West Nile fever, the milder form of WNV. Statewide sampling shows higher numbers of WNV-infected mosquitoes than any other summer since monitoring began 10 years ago. This is likely due to last year’s mild winter.
(EPA Pesticide News Story, July 18, 2012) EPA is requiring significant reductions in application rates and mandatory buffers around sensitive sites to protect children and other bystanders who live, attend school, play, or otherwise spend time next to sites where chlorpyrifos is applied. To ensure timely implementation of the spray drift mitigation, EPA is taking steps to make sure that the new use restrictions appear on all chlorpyrifos agricultural product labels starting in late 2012.
Neuroscientist Mona Thiruchelvam agrees to retract two studies linking neurodegeneration to pesticides.
Before reading the "Dinotefuran Section 18 Emergency Exemption Registration in PA for BMSB Control" article in the Fruit Times newsletter, read the following to understand what a Section 18 Emergency Exemption is.
U.S. poison centers answer more than four million calls each year. That’s one call every eight seconds! This March marks the 50th anniversary of National Poison Prevention Week. In honor of this important occasion, the U.S. EPA is hosting a conference call on poison prevention with Administrator Lisa P. Jackson on Monday, March 19 at 10:30am EDT.
DuPont said it plans to stop selling and recall its widely used Imprelis herbicide after customers and several lawsuits complained that the treatment has killed thousands of trees.
To better protect children, pets and wildlife, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it is moving to ban the sale to residential consumers of the most toxic rat and mouse poisons, as well as most loose bait and pellet products. The agency is also requiring that all newly registered rat and mouse poisons marketed to residential consumers be enclosed in bait stations that render the pesticide inaccessible to children and pets.
EPA's new web page provides training, outreach, and other resource materials for applicators and handlers, communities, state and local agencies, and others interested in understanding and implementing the current requirements for safe use of soil fumigants.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants to alert consumers that there has been an increase of individuals or companies who offer to control bedbugs with unrealistic promises of effectiveness or low cost. Because bed bug infestations are so difficult to control, there have been situations where pesticides that are not intended for indoor residential applications have been improperly used or applied at greater rates than the label allows. While controlling bedbugs is challenging, consumers should never use, or allow anyone else to use, a pesticide indoors that is intended for outdoor use, as indicated on the label. Using the wrong pesticide or using it incorrectly to treat for bedbugs can make you, your family, and your pets sick. It can also make your home unsafe to live in - and may not solve the bedbug problem.
Seven members of the faculty and staff in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences received an Honor Award from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on Aug. 3 for their efforts in helping to wipe out plum pox virus in Pennsylvania. USDA Honor Awards recognize accomplishments that help ensure access to safe, nutritious and balanced meals for America's children. Read the full story on Live: http://live.psu.edu/story/47727/nw69
On July 23, 2010, EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs updated its Web page to describe the regulatory background and longstanding policy concerning pesticidal claims on unregistered cleaning products.
Harrisburg – Pesticide applicators and users should make responsible decisions and use pesticides and pest management alternatives in a safe, proper and legal manner, Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding said today. “We enjoy an abundant food supply, in part because of the responsible use of pesticides in Pennsylvania,” said Redding. “Through the state’s licensing and continuing education process, we can ensure those who apply pesticides are using the most up-to-date methods available.”
A Texas pesticide producing company has agreed to settle a complaint brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for violating a federal pesticides law designed to provide proper registration, distribution, and sale of pesticides, EPA announced recently.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is requiring new restrictions on aluminum and magnesium phosphide products to better protect people, especially children, from dangerous exposures.
Today, EPA is taking action to improve residential safety and reduce risks associated with bug bombs, or total release foggers (TRFs). The Agency is calling for significant changes to their labeling to address the most common causes of exposure incidents associated with TRFs.
Due to a significant increase in adverse incidents, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is taking a series of actions to increase the safety of spot-on pesticide products for flea and tick control for cats and dogs.
