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PA MORE THAN HALF OF 22 NEW REGISTRATIONS IN FISCAL YEAR 1996 ARE SAFER

Release Date: 12/20/96
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PA MORE THAN HALF OF 22 NEW REGISTRATIONS IN FISCAL YEAR 1996 ARE SAFER

FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1996

ANNUAL REPORT OF PESTICIDE PROGRAM NOTES MORE THAN HALF OF 22 NEW REGISTRATIONS IN FISCAL YEAR 1996 ARE SAFER, REDUCED-RISK PESTICIDES

The l996 annual report of EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs notes that over half of the 22 new active pesticide ingredients registered in Fiscal Year l996 are safer, reduced risk pesticides, such as biologicals. This continues a trend that began several years ago. Other major accomplishments pointed out in the 47-page report include: 27 Reregistration Eligibility Decisions, 10 Special Review completions, the near completion of plans for a new Antimicrobial Division (created to expedite the registration of antimicrobial pesticides with significant public health uses), expanded outreach and training in the Worker Protection Standard program, the establishment of a high-level Food Safety Advisory Committee to assist the Agency in implementing the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996, and the addition of a significant number of partners and supporters to the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program. Under the adverse effects reporting requirements of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, EPA received approximately 1500 submissions containing more than 9,200 incidents, such as poisonings and other health effects. EPA's analysis of this incident data results in risk reductions actions. For example, certain pet products now have improved product labels which should result in safer use. In addition, approximately 20,000 calls were received by the Pesticides Hotline (1-800-858-7378) during the year. The l996 annual report will soon be accessible from the EPA home page address: http://www.epa.gov. The Office of Pesticide Programs site was expanded in FY 1996 and now includes the following information: Federal Register publications, Reregistration Eligibility Decisions, information of registrants from the Pesticide Data Submitters List, pesticide product information, Food Quality Protection Act implementation efforts, and general fact sheets and publications. Copies of the report can be obtained by calling the Office of Pesticide Programs Communications Branch at 703- 305-5017.

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