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EPA Pesticide Program Updates: October 22, 2001Pesticide Program Update from EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs, October 22, 2001 IN THIS UPDATE:
New Fact Sheet Available on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)On May 23, 2001, the United States signed the Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) at a diplomatic conference in Stockholm, Sweden. Under the Convention, countries commit to reduce and/or eliminate the production, use, and/or release of the 12 POPs of greatest concern to the global community and to establish a mechanism by which additional chemicals may be added to the Treaty in the future.The United States strongly supported efforts to complete this important agreement, which will have wide-ranging environmental and health benefits. The Office of Pesticide Programs is releasing a new fact sheet that provides information about the POPs agreement, and how the United States is participating. You can find the fact sheet on the Web. To obtain a hard copy of the fact sheet, please call 703-305-5017. Minor uses of pesticides are those for which the total United States production for a crop is fewer than 300,000 acres, or those uses which do not provide sufficient economic incentive for a registrant to support initial or continuing pesticide registrations. Minor uses of pesticides occur on fruits and vegetables and for control of disease vectors, such as mosquitos, ticks, cockroaches, rodents and disease-causing organisms. Administrator Whitman Allays Fears For Water Security; Possibility of Successful Contamination Is Small (Environmental News 10/18/01)EPA Administrator Christie Whitman today allayed fears for the security of the nation's water systems during a visit to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Consolidated Laboratory in Silver Spring, Maryland. She said EPA believes the possibility of successful contamination of a water system is small. "As someone who drinks water at home from the tap—as does my family—this is a concern I certainly understand. People are worried that a small amount of some chemical or biological agent—a few drops, for instance—could result in significant threats to the health of large numbers of people. I want to assure people—that scenario just can't happen," said Whitman. "It would take large amounts of contaminants to threaten the safety of a city water system. Because of increased security at water reservoirs and other facilities around the country—and because people are being extra vigilant as well—we believe it would be very difficult for anyone to introduce the quantities needed to contaminate an entire system." "For more than 80 years, our mission has been to supply safe, clean water to our customers," said WSSC General Manager John R. Griffin. "Since our nation's recent tragedies, we've strengthened our already solid foundation of safety and security measures. Our modern water quality laboratory helps to ensure we fulfill that crucial mission." The Administrator explained that systems already in place for treating drinking water before it comes out of the tap will, in many cases, remove the immediate threat to public health. EPA has worked with partners like the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, (AMWA), to make sure water utilities receive information on the steps they can take to protect their sources of supply and their infrastructure. Diane van de Hei, Executive Director of AMWA, joined the Administrator at the event. In addition, Sandia National Laboratories is working with EPA to develop training materials for water companies so they can conduct thorough assessments of their vulnerable points. Sandia representatives Robert Eagan,Vice President Energy, Information and Infrastructure Surety Division and Peter Davies, Director Geoscience & Environment Center, also took part in the press conference. "Several weeks ago I directed that these materials, originally scheduled to become available next year, be put on a fast track. I'm pleased to announce that training using these materials will begin for water system operators early next month," Whitman explained. Another step EPA has taken to protect water systems was to work with the FBI to advise every local law enforcement agency in the country of steps they can take to help watch for possible threats to water systems. "In addition, later today, I will be holding a conference call with governors from around the country to discuss how we can help them and how they can support and enhance our efforts," said Whitman. The Administrator explained
that despite small probabilities and stepped-up prevention, there are
no "iron-clad guarantees." Should an attack succeed, EPA is ready to respond
immediately. "Our experts are ready to provide guidance. Our federal labs
are ready to provide analysis. And our specialists are ready to assist
in recovery," said Whitman. "It's also important to remember that America's
water utilities are not interconnected." Note: For general questions on pesticides and pesticide poisoning prevention, contact the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network (NPTN), toll-free, at: 1-800-858-7378, by e-mail at nptn@ace.orst.edu, or by visiting their Web site. For information about ongoing activities in the Office of Pesticide Programs, visit OPPs home page. Or call or write OPP directly at: Communication Services Branch |
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 Western Integrated Pest Management Center Pest Management Centers are sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service |
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