EPA's REVISED POLICY ISSUED ON USE OF CHOLINESTERASE INHIBITION DATA IN PESTICIDE RISK ASSESSMENTS 

 

 


            


Subject:  Revised Policy On Risk Assessments--------
Date:      Sat, 09 Sep 2000 09:15:42 -0400
From:        Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization:     Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)

To:     Paul Helliker <phelliker@cdpr.ca.gov>
          Director, State of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation 

Dear Mr. Helliker,  I thought you might like to read EPA's REVISED POLICY ISSUED ON USE OF CHOLINESTERASE INHIBITION DATA IN PESTICIDE RISK ASSESSMENTS - (Press Advisory 9/7/00).

EPA this week announced the availability of the revised science policy paper, "The Use of Data on Cholinesterase Inhibition for Risk Assessments of Organophosphorus and Carbamate Pesticides."  The policy clarifies the Agency's position that the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by organophosphate and carbamate pesticides is the key event in causing harmful effects on nervous system function and outlines how EPA will consider various types of data in determining safe levels of exposure.  Cholinesterase is an important enzyme that regulates levels of acetylcholine in the nervous system.  Inhibition of cholinesterase can cause effects that increase in severity as the dose of the cholinesterase inhibitor increases. These effects can range from muscle tremors to various neurological effects to death.  The revised paper is available at: http://www.epa.gov/trac/science.  The Federal Register notice announcing the availability of this document is expected to be published Sept. 8.

Well Mr. Helliker, this revised policy comes a little too late for many innocent victims of your "registered" POISONS.  When will you begin to consider the Precautionary Principle BEFORE you "register" these terrible toxins. Especially when there are so may safe, and far more effective unregistered alternatives - but, I forgot - none of these food grade and/or GRAS materials are "legal" (in your opinion) for professional pest control use in California.  So, there obviously must be more innocent victims.

Respectfully, Stephen L. Tvedten Respectfully,  Stephen L. Tvedten

TOP
 If you would like to be included in our mailing list for continuing information on pesticides, Email Us.