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Soil Fumigant Pesticides Subject to New Safety Measures

Release Date: 07/10/2008
Contact Information: Dale Kemery, (202) 564-4355 / [email protected]

(Washington, D.C. - July 10, 2008) New safety measures for soil fumigant pesticides will increase protections for agricultural workers and bystanders - people who live, work, or otherwise spend time near fields that are fumigated. For the soil fumigants methyl bromide, chloropicrin, dazomet, metam sodium, and metam potassium, EPA will require a suite of new mitigation measures that will work together to protect human health.

"The new restrictions protect workers and bystanders against inadvertent exposure to soil fumigants and are practical to implement," said Jim Gulliford, EPA's Assistant Administrator for the Office of Pesticides, Prevention, and Toxic Substances.

When fumigants dissipate from the soil, workers or bystanders who are exposed to these pesticides may experience eye or respiratory irritation, or more severe and irreversible effects, depending on the fumigant and level of exposure. The following mitigation measures are designed to work together to protect bystanders and workers.

• To help ensure safe fumigation practices, users must complete written, site-specific fumigant management plans before fumigations begin.
• Buffer zones around treated fields will reduce the chances of immediate harmful effects to bystanders from fumigant concentrations in air. Buffers can be adjusted based on the use of other good management practices that also reduce risks to bystanders.
• Posting requirements will inform bystanders and field workers about the location and timing of fumigations and associated buffer zones so people do not enter these areas.
• To ensure emergency preparedness, registrants must provide first responders with fumigant-specific safety information and training. Fumigant applicators must monitor buffer zone perimeters or provide emergency response information directly to neighbors.
• Fumigant registrants must conduct outreach programs to educate community members about fumigants, buffer zones, how to recognize early signs of fumigant exposure, and how to respond appropriately in case of an incident.
• Fumigant registrants must adopt more stringent worker protection measures, and develop training for fumigation handlers and workers to enhance their knowledge and skills and to promote product stewardship.
• All soil fumigant products will be classified as restricted-use pesticides, to ensure that only specially trained individuals can apply and oversee fumigant operations.