U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Position Paper
PESTICIDE CONTROL PROGRAMS
Issue
There are over 30,000 federally registered pesticide products
containing more than 1,200 active ingredients. Each year
some 20 brand new chemicals are registered and added to the
market and the environment. While these products have obvi-
ous benefits in controlling pests and increasing crop produc-
tion, they may pose serious threats because of their toxicity
to people and their long-range effect on the environment.
The southwest is a major agricultural area. California is
the number one farm state in the country. At least 20% of
the pesticides used in the U.S. are applied in this Region.
Background
Prior to the creation of EPA in 1970, Federal pesticide con-
trol rested with the Department of Agriculture. USDA admin-
istered the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide
Act (FIFRA) of 1947. This was basically a "labelling law"
registering pesticides and requiring scientific evidence
that products would be effective against pests listed on the
label, and that they would be safe to humans and the environ-
ment when used as directed. There were provisions for can-
celling a pesticide registration and withdrawing it from the
market if it was found that the directed use of the pesticide
posed a serious hazard to man or the environment. (There
were no controls on misuse of pesticides under the 1947
FIFRA). In the 23 years that USDA oversaw the Act no pesti-
cides were removed from the market although some were limited
in use.
Following the rise of environmental consciousness in the
late 1960's, EPA was created to give an independent voice to
environmental concerns at the Federal level. Because of
mounting scientific evidence of their long-range hazard to
man and his environment, EPA carried out cancellation
proceedings under FIFRA against DDT, aldrin, dieldrin,
chlordane, and heptachlor.
In October 1972 the Federal Environmental Pesticide Control
Act (FEPCA) was signed, substantially extending Federal
regulation of pesticides. Of major importance are provisions
for prohibiting misuse of pesticide products.
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The Agency has limited the use of mirex primarily because of
hazard to aquatic life, especially commercial shellfish.
All major uses of DDT, aldrin and dieldrin have been banned.
The product? however, may be used in emergency situations
with EPA approval.
Major Problems
Registration/Classification - Now all pesticides (before
only those in interstate commerce) must be registered with
EPA and properly labelled. Under the new Act, products may
be classified for "general" or "restricted" use. A restricted
use pesticide may be applied only by or under the direct
supervision of, a certified pesticide applicator - an indi-
vidual found competent in the use and effects of pesticides
under an EPA approved state program.
Under the new law, products are to be re-registered every 8
years, thus a continual process of review is built into the
system. If new evidence indicates a threat to public health
or the environment, EPA can move to suspend or cancel the
registration and withdraw the product from the market place.
Applicator Certification - As noted above, the law requires
states to certify pesticide applicators who use restricted
pesticide products. EPA has published standards for certifi-
cation and states are to submit their plans by October,
1977.
Safety - There are various EPA programs which address safety.
Those include public information programs on use, storage
and disposal of pesticides; fire safety training programs;
worker education programs about new, more toxic pesticides;
and worker re-entry standards to protect farm workers from
pesticide residues on crops.
EPA has cooperative working agreements with state and local
agencies for reporting of adverse effects due to pesticides.
This serves as a basis for post registration actions against
pesticide and use practices. Information gathered by this
system is used to modify label language to ensure safety to
users and to the environment.
Enforcement - EPA inspects producing establishments and
retail stores to assure that adulterated or misbranded
products do not reach the consumer. EPA also investigates
commercial uses such as in agricultural and structural pest
control. There are provisions for civil and criminal penalties
under the Act.
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Integrated Pest Management - In order to minimize the adverse
effects of pesticide use, EPA is promoting and funding
research and and field tests to maximize natural control of
pest populations. Biological control agencies or pest-
specific diseases are used when pests reach a level high
enough to cause significant crop damage. When necessary,
pesticides may be applied.
Integrated pest management consultants do business in California
and parts of Arizona and Texas.
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Pounds of Pesticides Applied in California
1971
Aldrin
Dieldrin
DDT 111,058
Chlordane 449,099
Heptachlor
California Department of Agriculture Pesticide Use Reports 1973, 1974 and 1975
Epidemiologic Studies Program
3/12/75 California Department of Health
1972
-
81,553
80,800
592,440
-
1973
57,774
117,307
1,296
1,030,001
1,150
1974
30,750
59,884
226
603,216
680
1975
24,986
22,895
241
707,855
1,796
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Pounds of Pesticides Applied in Arizona
All in 1,000 Ibs. of Tech. Material
1966
24.0
25.7
72.3
14.5
4.1
1967
7.7
34.3
2,519.9
9.3
4.6
1968
29.9
16.9
528.0
66.4
4.9
1969
24.0
11.1
0.0
15.7
0.0
1970
50.6
26.1
.7*
28.6
0.0
1971
-
22.3
0.0
20.0
_
1972
-
119.7
0.0
29.4
_
1973
-
170.9
0.0
5.9
_
Aldrin
Chlordane
DDT ]
Dieldrin
Keptachlor
*Arizona was the first to cut down use of DDT even before Federal government did.
University of Arizona 1970
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