July 2003

Pesticide Potpourri

  • ole2.gifThose consumers who regularly listen to, view, or read the news tend to have greater food safety concerns, according to an Ohio State University study. Agricultural communications researchers surveyed more than 4,000 Ohioans asked to rank seven perceived food safety risks. Pesticide residues in food topped the list, followed by drinking water contamination, growth hormones in meat or milk, bacterial contamination, bioterrorist activity, mad cow disease, and biotech foods. (CropLife America Spotlight, 6/20/03).
  • ole3.gifDenmark may restrict the use of the herbicide glyphosate by the end of the year. The regulations would prohibit the use of the material on four high-clay soil types after September 15 each year. The regulation was drafted to protect groundwater, which is the source of water for over 99 percent of the population. Groundwater is typically not treated in Denmark due to the purity. Glyphosate manufacturers do not agree with the proposal since no glyphosate has been found in drinking water, and only minute quantities have been found at a depth of one meter in a field drainage area. (Chemical Regulation Reporter, 6/30/03).
  • wpdoc18.gifThe Roper “Green Gauge” study reported that fewer people are reading pesticide labels, recycling, and saving energy. Additionally, fewer access environmental news - which is the first drop in this particular indicator in recent years. The report stated that only 23 percent of consumers surveyed said they read a pesticide label. (CropLife America Spotlight, 7/3/03).
  • There is a new trend in outdoor mosquito control wherein a system of nozzles routinely emits a spray of insecticide based on a timed schedule. In some respects, these systems are similar to those used for termite control (wall-void emitters piped to a central exteriorized supply valve). Some of these systems allow application every fifteen minutes (96 times a day). Researchers at UF believe that this type of system is not part of a responsible mosquito control application for several reasons. In addition to potential resistance development in the mosquito and effects to non-target animals, large spray drops fall too quickly and those that are too small do not impact the adult mosquito. The science of mosquito adulticiding is quite precise, and few pest control companies or individuals are suited to conduct such a program. (E-mail from UF FMEL, 7/3/03).
  • ole4.gifIt's not likely that parental exposure to pesticides plays an important role in causes of childhood brain cancer, researchers have found. The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, was conducted by researchers at University of North Carolina, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and the National Cancer Institute. Authors examined childhood brain cancer risks in relation to parental exposure to pesticides among more than 300 U.S. and Canadian children during 1986 to 1989. (CropLife America Spotlight, 6/20/03).
  • Massachusetts highway department will lift its 5-year ban on roadside herbicide applications. Officials say manual weed control is too expensive, as well as dangerous for workers on high-speed roads. Spraying is to resume in July in 113 of the state's communities, although eight state legislators have asked the highway commissioner to reinstate the ban. Once-yearly spraying will save $50,000 to $60,000 over manual weeding, said a department spokesman. (CropLife America Spotlight, 6/20/03).
  • Hordes of Mormon crickets are on the march in the West, perhaps the worst infestation in 50 years or more. Idaho reports the heaviest plague, with outbreaks in pockets of California, Nebraska, Washington and Wyoming as well. In parts of Idaho, motorists are cautioned to slow down because of roads made slick by the swarms. Entomologists estimate numbers at more than 20,000 per acre in infested areas and, although infestations typically last five to seven years, 21 years is not unknown. Activists blocked Idaho plans to spray insecticide this spring during the locust's hatching season. Instead, baits are being used. Spraying is underway in Utah and Nevada, however. (CropLife America Spotlight, 6/20/03).
  • The U.S. Agriculture Department reported that farmers cut soybean planting back to 73.7 million acres this year - the lowest since 1998, the third year in a row in which farmers have reduced their soybean acreage. However, growers in 15 states increased their soybean acreage, particularly in southeastern states like North Carolina, where persistent rains drenched the soil, hampering efforts to plant cotton and corn. Although overall soybean planting is down, states continue to increase their use of genetically engineered soybean. The survey said that 76 percent of the soybean crop is Roundup Ready® soybean, a figure that is six percent higher than last year's planting. Arkansas farmers generated the greatest increase in biotech soybean use, up 16 percent to 84 percent of the state's 2.9 million acres. In contrast, Ohio and Michigan increased their biotech soybean crop by just 1 percent. Ohio's 4.4 million acres of soybean are 74 percent biotech, and Michigan's 2.1 million acres are 73 percent genetically engineered. (Associated Press 6/30/03, via Agnet).
  • ole5.gifGreenpeace, accustomed to the protest limelight, found itself upstaged in early May by the Congress of Racial Equality. Greenpeace had begun its New York City "Run for Your Life" marathon when CORE protesters joined in with a "Run for Death" race clad in grim reaper costumes and carrying coffins. CORE's placards focused on the millions of Africans who die yearly because of opposition by Greenpeace and other activist groups to pesticides for malaria control and the use of biotech crops to relieve hunger and malnutrition. (CropLife America Spotlight, 6/6/03).

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