Office of Pesticide Programs (7506P) March 2012 EPA 735-F-12-005
%yCriT\ Soil Fumigant Mitigation Factsheet:
United States • • A A™
Environmental Protection | |T| DI Gm GH1311 OI
Implementation Schedule
EPA is requiring important new safety measures for soil fumigant pesticides to increase
protections for agricultural workers and bystanders - people who live, work, or otherwise spend
time near fields that are fumigated. These measures are for the soil fumigants chloropicrin, dazomet,
metam sodium/potassium, and methyl bromide.
This fact sheet summarizes the soil fumigant product label changes that are going into effect
during each of two phases. For detailed information on these new requirements for soil fumigants,
visit EPA's Soil Fumigant Toolbox, www.epa.gov/oppsrrdl/reregistration/soil_fumigants/.
Phase 1 Changes
That Went Into Effect
December 31, 2010
Phase 1 Changes that Went Into Effect December 31, 2010:
Agricultural Worker Protection: Persons engaged in any of a number of
activities that are part of the fumigation process are considered "handlers."
New restrictions address respiratory protection, tarp handling and an entry-
restricted period.
Handler Training Information: Labels require fumigant registrants to develop
and disseminate training information and materials for fumigant handlers
(those working under the supervision of the certified applicator in charge of
fumigations).
Good Agricultural Practices: Many good agricultural practices recommended
on older fumigant labels became mandatory on the new labels to minimize
inhalation and other risks from fumigant applications. Examples of good
agricultural practices include proper soil preparation/tilling, ensuring optimal
soil moisture and temperature, and appropriate use of sealing techniques.
Application Method. Practice and Rate Restrictions: Labels restrict certain
fumigant application methods that lead to risks that are difficult to address.
These include certain untarped applications for some fumigants. The label
also lowers the maximum application rate, thereby reducing the potential for
inhalation exposure and risk.
Restricted Use Pesticide Classification: EPA determined that all of the
soil fumigants undergoing reregi strati on meet the criteria for restricted
use. Therefore, EPA has reclassified metam sodium/potassium and dazomet,
which had not been restricted, as restricted use pesticides.
Site-Specific Fumigant Management Plans (Partial): Labels require fumigant
users to prepare a written, site-specific fumigant management plan (FMP)
before fumigations begin. In Phase 1, FMPs do not need to address any of
the requirements that go into effect during Phase 2. These written plans will
help prevent accidents and misuse, and will capture steps to take in case an
accident occurs. EPA is developing FMP templates for each fumigant.
Soil Fumigant Mitigation: Implementation Schedule
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Phase 2 Changes that Phase 2 Changes that Go into Effect December 1, 2012:
Go Into Effect in Late Buffer zones: New labels will require fumigant users to establish a buffer zone
2072 around treated fields to reduce risks from acute inhalation exposure to bystanders.
Buffer zone distances are scenario-based using applicable site conditions, and will
be provided in look-up tables on product labels. EPA is also giving "credits" to
encourage users to employ practices that reduce emissions (for example, use of
high-barrier tarps). Credits will reduce buffer distances. Some credits will also be
available for site conditions that reduce emissions (e.g., high organic or clay content
of soils).
Posting requirements: For buffer zones to be effective, bystanders need to be
informed about the location and timing of fumigations. New labels will require
buffer zones be posted at usual points of entry and along likely routes of approach
to the buffer unless a physical barrier prevents access to the buffer. The signs must
include a "do not walk" symbol, fumigant product name, and contact information
for the fumigator.
Site-Specific Fumigant Management Plans (Complete): In addition to the FMP
requirements listed above, FMPs will need to include those requirements that go
into effect in Phase 2.
Emergency Preparedness and Response Requirements: New labels will require
registrants to provide information to first responders in high fumigant use areas. In
addition, EPA is requiring site-specific measures in areas where bystanders may be
close to fumigant buffer zones. Fumigators may choose either to monitor the buffer
perimeter or to provide emergency response information directly to neighbors.
• If the applicator chooses to monitor, the emergency response plan stated
in the FMP must be implemented if the person monitoring experiences
sensory irritation or if air concentrations reach action levels on labels. This
monitoring must be done four times per day during the buffer zone period
at times when the greatest potential exists for fumigants to move off-site.
• If the applicator chooses instead to provide emergency response
information directly to neighbors, the certified applicator supervising the
fumigation must ensure that nearby residents and business owners/operators
have been provided the response information at least one week prior to the
fumigant application. The method for distributing information to neighbors
must be described in the FMP.
Applicator Training Programs: EPA has required fumigant registrants to develop
and implement training programs for certified applicators in charge of soil
fumigations.
Information for Handlers. Communities, and First Responders: EPA has required
fumigant registrants to develop and disseminate safety information for fumigant
handlers (those working under the supervision of the certified applicator in charge
of the fumigations). EPA has also required fumigant registrants to develop and
implement community outreach programs and information for first responders to
ensure that information about fumigants and safety is available within communities
where soil fumigation occurs.
Compliance Assistance and Assurance Measures: In states that require notification
of fumigant applications, applicators must notify State and Tribal Lead Agencies
for pesticide enforcement about fumigant applications they plan to conduct. This
information will aid those states in planning compliance assistance and assurance
activities.
Soil Fumigant Mitigation: Implementation Schedule 2
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