Coalition sues EPA for action on pesticides

Coalition sues EPA for action on pesticides

The Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, a Eugene-based nonprofit group, filed suit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday, charging that the federal agency has not released information on inert materials in pesticides.

[ New York and Inerts ] * [ What is an Inert ]

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Subject:   Coalition sues EPA for action on pesticides------
Date:       Sun, 22 Oct 2000 13:05:58 -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 an article from The Oregonian entitled: Coalition sues EPA for action on pesticides - Tuesday, October 17, 2000.

The Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, a Eugene-based nonprofit group, filed suit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday, charging that the federal agency has not released information on inert materials in pesticides.

The coalition three years ago, with attorneys general from seven states and 250 environmental and labor groups, filed a petition with the EPA asking that all pesticide ingredients be identified on product labels. The EPA has not responded, the coalition said.

Only a handful of inert ingredients, which can make up 99 percent of a pesticide product, are identified by pesticide manufacturers, the coalition said. "Inerts are neither chemically, biologically or toxicologically inert," said Caroline Cox, the coalition's staff scientist. She said that about one-quarter of the chemicals called inerts by manufacturers are identified as hazardous by state, federal or international agencies.

The original petition called for the EPA to require that pesticide manufacturers identify all ingredients. "It's time for the EPA to act," said U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore. "There's no reason to continue to put the health of children, workers or others at risk from pesticide secrets."

-- Jonathan Brinckman

Well Mr. Helliker, How can you "register" a POISON that only considers 1% or so of the POISON formula? But, you do it everyday - and we feel the PAIN!

Respectfully, Stephen L. Tvedten