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U.S. EPA TO HOLD MEETINGS ON AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDE SAFETY RULES

Release Date: 7/18/1996
Contact Information: Lois Grunwald, U.S. EPA, (415) 744-1588

     (San Francisco)--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) will host two public meetings in California next week to hear feedback on the first full year of implementation of new federal regulations designed to protect the health of more than 3.5 million agricultural workers who are exposed to pesticides on the job.

     The regulations, known as the Worker Protection Standard (WPS), specify minimum pesticide saftety training, information exchange and other safeguards for workers who mix, handle or use pesticides, or who may come into contact with pesticides while working on farms or in forests, nurseries and greenhouses.

     The two meetings in California will be held at the following times and locations:

July 23, 1996
Portuguese Hall 172 West Jefferson Street
Easton, CA  93706  (near Fresno)
Registration: 5 p.m. / Meeting begins: 7 p.m.
On-site phone:  (209) 486-6060

July 25, 1996
Salinas Community Center 940 North Main Street
Salinas, CA  93906
Registration: 5 p.m. / Meeting begins: 7 p.m.
On-site phone:  (408) 758-7351

     The public meetings, which are being held across the country, will provide an opportunity for both workers and employers to relay actual experiences and "lessons learned" in the course of WPS implementation.  The information will be used by U.S. EPA and cooperating state officials and organizations to improve WPS administration.

     Those who wish to speak at the public meeting may register on-site beginning at 5 p.m.  U.S. EPA will open the meeting with brief introductory comments at 7 p.m. and then invite those who have registered to present their comments.  Written comments are also welcome and should be addressed to Jeanne Heying, Office of Pesticide Programs (7506C), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC 20460.  Comments can be faxed to (703) 308-2962.

     Members of the public can obtain additional information on the California meetings by calling U.S. EPA's Mary Grisier at (415) 744-1095 or Kay Rudolph at (415) 744-1065.


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