Diazinon Found In Boise Wastewater

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        Subject:   Diazinon Found In Boise Wastewater
            Date:   Tue, 16 Jul 2002 09:46:51 -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 

cc:    Christine Whitman whitman.christine@epa.gov

Dear Mr. Helliker, I thought you might like to read an article entitled: Diazinon Found in Boise Wastewater.

BOISE, Idaho, July 15, 2002 (ENS) - Diazinon, a common pesticide being phased out of residential use in the United States and Canada due to its toxic effects, has been found in samples from one of Boise's wastewater treatment plants.

Due to its toxicity to children and the risks it poses to workers, drinking water supplies, birds and other wildlife, the producers of diazinon products have agreed to completely eliminate diazinon for residential use by December 31, 2004.

Between 1994 and 1998, diazinon was responsible for more bird kill incidents in the United States than any other pesticide. Residential use of diazinon accounted for over half of these incidents.

Diazinon can enter the wastewater system through illegal dumping into toilets or drains. Boise's treatment plants are not designed to remove substances such as pesticides. Improperly used or discharged pesticides eventually flow into the Boise River and threaten aquatic life.

It is also illegal to discharge pesticides or other toxic materials into storm drains which are designed solely for the conveyance of natural storm water and lead directly to the Boise River or underground water supplies. Lawn irrigation water, for example, should not be allowed to flow into storm drains because it conveys any pesticides on the lawn through the drain system.

Labels on pesticides containers explain the requirements for their legal use and disposal. Diazinon is currently sold under the Ortho, Spectracide, and Real-Kill brand names. Package labels provide information on the environmental risks of improper use or disposal.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is urging consumers to investigate alternatives to diazinon. Pyrethroids are currently being used for most of the bug problems for which diazinon has been used, as they degrade faster than diazinon when exposed to air and sunlight. Look for permethrin as the active ingredient on the chemical label. For more information on alternatives, Boise consumers can call the Ada County Master Gardeners at 208-377-2107.

Well Mr. Helliker, if the EPA or any Master Gardeners want to advise the use of safe and far more effective alternatives (and not carcinogenic POISONS), perhaps "they" should at least look at my free IPM manual.  I have posted a free pest control book on the web that uses safe and far more effective alternatives, it is entitled: THE BUG STOPS HERE.  You can download it for free at: http://www.thebestcontrol.com .

Respectfully, Stephen L. Tvedten

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