for implementing these changes, and the disposition 

 of product already in the distribution system remain 

 unanswered at this time. However, the registrant is 

 optimistic that no label changes will take effect for the 

 upcoming growing season. 



Phosmet - EPA released its revised risk assessment 

 for phosmet (Imidan) at a technical briefing in February 

 2000. This document indicated that dietary risk was 

 not an issue for this compound and that exposure to 

 handlers could be managed satisfactorily with increased 

 PPE and engineering controls. 



An IRED for phosmet was made public 

 simultaneously with that of azinphos methyl (AZM) 

 in the fall of 2001. Similar to AZM, EPA's present 

 concerns center around risks to agricultural workers 

 and ecological risks. Proposed agricultural use changes 

 that affect tree-fruit producers fall into two categories: 

 1) continued registration with new labeling 

 requirements for 33 crop uses (including sweet and 

 tart cherries) and 2) a 5 -year, time-limited registration 

 for nine crop uses (including apples, apricots, 

 nectarines, peaches, pears, and plum/prunes). Some 

 highlights of the proposed label changes concerning 

 apple production are as follows: 



increase REI to 3 days; 



require enclosed cabs or maximum PPE for 

 applicators; 



require water soluble bags and closed transfer 

 systems; 



add spray drift language; and 



prohibit application during bloom period. 



The registrant has reached an agreement with EPA that 

 allows for all product currently in the distribution 

 system or in possession at the farm level to be used 

 under the current label until all inventories have been 

 depleted. All product sold by the registrant after June 

 30, 2002 will reflect the changes mandated by the 

 IRED. 



Diazinon - In December of 2000, EPA released its 

 revised risk assessment for this active ingredient. EPA 

 concluded this active ingredient posed significant risk 

 to birdlife as currently labeled and was a common 

 contaminant of surface water. Risk mitigation measures 

 center largely on phasing out, over the next three years, 

 most residential uses of products containing diazinon 

 (Spectracide) whether applied for structural or lawn- 



care purposes. 



Although agricultural uses contributed little in this 

 regard, risk to agricultural workers who apply these 

 products or harvest treated crops was of concern. When 

 the IRED IS made public, it is expected that EPA will 

 proposed the cancellation of about 30% of the current 

 agricultural uses and require "Restricted Use" 

 classification for the remaining uses so that applications 

 will be limited to trained, certified applicators. 

 Discussions with the registrant and other stakeholders 

 are ongoing. 



Malathion - The revised risk assessment for 

 malathion was presented at a technical briefing in 

 November, 2000. Malathion is a lower priority for 

 regulatory action since it is used on less than 10% of 

 the nation's apple acreage. EPA's analysis suggested 

 that dietary risk, drinking water risk, and ecological 

 risks were of little or no concern. However, risks to 

 mixers/loaders/applicators and risk to workers entering 

 treated areas for post-application activities were cited. 

 Although the IRED has yet to be posted, additional 

 personal protective equipment (PPE) for handlers and 

 longer restricted entry intervals (up to 6 days) are 

 expected to be included. 



Methyl parathion (Penncap-M) - EPA has 

 previously announced acceptance of the registrant's 

 voluntary cancellation of many of the significant food 

 crop uses for this material including apples, peaches, 

 pears, nectarines, cherries, and plums in order to 

 address the Agency's concern of dietary risk to children. 



Chlorpyrifos (Lorsban) - EPA severely restricted 

 the use of this material on apples, tomatoes, and grapes 

 shortly after the release of the revised risk assessment 

 in August of 2000, again, due to dietary-risk issues. 

 Post-bloom use on apples has been prohibited since 

 December 31, 2000. The IRED was published in the 

 Federal Register on November 14, 2001 for which the 

 public comment period ended in mid January. 



The first step of the review process mandated by 

 the FQPA is drawing to a close for the organphosphate 

 compounds. EPA will soon conclude the evaluation of 

 these active ingredients on an individual basis. This 

 initial evaluation contains a risk assessment that 

 considers all potential routes of exposure including 

 dietary, drinking water, residential, and occupational 

 means. 



The second phase, cumulative assessment of the 



14 



Fruit Notes, Volume 67, 'Winter, 2002 



