E.P.A. Suggests New Pesticide Labeling to Control Spray Drift and Protect Human Health

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2009

WASHINGTON - The E.P.A. has rolled out suggested guidance for new pesticide labeling to reduce off-target spray and dust drift. The new instructions, when implemented, will enhance the clarity and consistency of pesticide labels and help prevent harm from spray drift. The agency is also requesting review on a petition to evaluate children's exposure to pesticide drift.

"The new label statements will help reduce problems from pesticide drift," said Steve Owens, the assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. "The new labels will carry more uniform and specific directions on restricting spray drift while giving pesticide applicators clear and workable instructions."

The new instructions will prohibit drift that could cause adverse health or environmental effects. Also, on a pesticide-by-pesticide basis, E.P.A. will evaluate scientific information on risk and exposure based on individual product use patterns. These assessments will help the agency determine whether no-spray buffer zones or other measures - such as restrictions on droplet or particle size, nozzle height, or weather conditions - are needed to protect people, wildlife, water resources, schools and other sensitive sites from potential harm.

In addition to the outline notice on pesticide-drift labeling, E.P.A. is also seeking review on a outline pesticide drift labeling interpretation document that provides guidance to state and tribal enforcement officials. A 2nd document provides background information on pesticide drift, a description of current and planned E.P.A. actions, a reader's guide explaining key terms and concepts, and specific questions on which E.P.A. is seeking input. These documents and further information are accessible in docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0628 at http://www.regulations.gov.

In a 2nd Federal Register notice, E.P.A. is also requesting review on a petition filed recently by environmental and farm worker organizations. The petitioners ask E.P.A. to evaluate children's exposure to pesticide drift and to adopt, on an interim basis, requirements for "no-spray" buffer zones near homes, schools, day-care centers, and parks. E.P.A. will evaluate this new petition and take whatever action may be appropriate after the evaluation is complete. For further information and to submit comments, please see docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0825 at http://www.regulations.gov.

More information:
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/spraydrift.htm

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