Pesticide News Story: EPA Finds Organic Arsenical Herbicides Ineligible for Reregistration
EPA has announced its decision that all uses of the organic arsenic herbicides -- MSMA, DSMA, CAMA, and cacodylic acid -- are not eligible for reregistration. The Agency's primary concern is the potential for applied organic arsenical products to transform to a more toxic inorganic form of arsenic in soil and subsequently be transported to drinking water.
The Agency's risk assessment, supported by field monitoring data in both surface and ground water, estimates levels of inorganic arsenic in drinking water from the pesticide use that raise a concern for cancer risk. Given this risk, EPA has determined that the tolerances for the organic arsenic herbicides do not meet the safety standard of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). In addition, because there are readily available alternatives, EPA believes continued registration of the organic arsenic herbicides will pose an unreasonable risk under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
The element arsenic is found naturally in the environment. Through erosion and industrial activities, arsenic is transported into water, air, food, and soil. As a result, people are exposed to small amounts of arsenic every day. EPA and other federal and state agencies have regulations in place that aim to reduce or limit arsenic exposure to individuals. In light of these facts, and given that alternative herbicides are readily available, EPA believes additional exposure to arsenic from the organic arsenic herbicides is unnecessary.
The organic arsenic herbicides are used primarily on cotton and turf, including golf courses, home lawns, recreational areas such as school yards and athletic fields, and rights-of-way. Overall, use in the U.S. appears to be declining, and alternative weed controls are available for each of these uses.
EPA's reregistration eligibility decision, revised risk assessments, and related documents are available in the organic arsenical herbicides docket #EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0201 at regulations.gov1. The Agency's August 2006 Federal Register notice2 announcing the availability of the decision document and the start of a 60-day public comment period is available at . For additional information, see the Agency's cacodylic acid and MSMA, DSMA and CAMA reregistration3 Web pages.
(Editor’s note: TPT will be mailing information to it’s members detailing how to make comment on this issue.)