Oregon – By implementing more strict evaluations of pesticide spray drift during the first registration process of pesticides, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has significantly advanced the safety safeguards for farmworkers and surrounding communities. Announced last Monday, this new strategy addresses the problem far earlier than past practices, therefore preventing possible injury.
Historically, during regular assessments that might take place up to 15 years after a pesticide was first registered, the EPA would only take into account the consequences of spray drift—that is, the movement of pesticides carried away by wind from the targeted regions. This meant that typically the timely evaluation of any human health hazards related to new pesticide applications was lacking. These factors will now be taken into account during the first registration or review period when a manufacturer suggests new crops or other uses for a pesticide.
Michal Freedhoff, assistant administrator of EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, emphasized the significance of the change.
“Our new policy will ensure that vital public health protections are in place when a pesticide is initially approved – so people don’t have to wait years for the protections they deserve and need,” said Michal Freedhoff, assistant administrator for EPA’s office of chemical safety and pollution prevention, in a statement.
Not only a theoretical matter, spray drift is a real problem that has impacted many, especially in rural and agricultural areas. For example, inhabitants of a rural Curry County, Oregon, reported 2013 ailments linked to aerial pesticide spraying. Affecting both human health and the environment, the illegal pesticides chlorpyrifos has also been seen floating from Christmas tree farms into homes.
Despite these events, many instances of pesticide drift are thought to go undetected. Executive director of the Oregon-based group Beyond Toxics, Lisa Arkin noted the difficulties experienced by people impacted.
“It’s really a sad situation that so many people have been harmed by pesticide drift and have had a great amount of difficulty having their harm acknowledged by the regulatory agency,” said Arkin.
The new EPA rules might result in major changes in pesticide application methods, including modifications to instruction labels indicating buffer zones and spraying strategies to minimize drift. This can include instructions on how high off-ground applicators like crop dusters or drones must be or how close pesticides can be sprayed to communities.
Although this policy change might not eradicate all pesticide drift incidents, it is a proactive measure by the EPA to recognize and handle the problem more successfully. It shows a larger dedication to environmental justice, especially for people living near where these operations take place and those in industries like agriculture and timber.
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