If you normally buy the pesticide Dursban to fight pests like
fleas, ticks and spiders, you’d better start shopping for a
replacement.

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced the
removal of the chemical chlorpyrifos, known by most
consumers as Dursban or Lorsban, for household use.
DowAgrosciences, manufacturer of these products, voluntarily
withdrew their products from the market.

Tested on Fetal Rats

“EPA has received information that indicates chlorpyrifos
could have some effect on fetal rats,” said Paul Guillebeau
of the University of Georgia. Guillebeau is the Integrated Pest
Management and pesticide coordinator for the UGA College of
Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences.

“EPA became concerned there could be some risks to human
children as well,” he said. “That’s why they are
pulling
the products off the market.”

The ruling stems from the ongoing implementation of the Food
Quality Protection Act of 1996. The FQPA is fundamentally
changing
the way U.S. pesticides are regulated, Guillebeau said. Last
summer,
EPA removed methyl parathion and azinphos methyl from the market
because of potential health threats to children.

“Products containing this chemical are widely used for
both agricultural and nonagricultural applications, largely due
to the economical control they offer against a wide spectrum of
pests,” he said. “For nearly 30 years, chlorpyrifos
has been the mainstay for controlling pests. It would still be
the best control in some situations. But it won’t be available
in five months.”

Home-Use Sales Stop After 2000

More than 800 products contain chlorpyrifos. Those for home
use won’t be in the stores after 2000. The chemical can still
be used as a termiticide for spot treatment until Dec. 31, 2002,
and in new home construction until the end of 2005.

Chlorpyrifos is used to control insect damage on every major
crop in the United States, so farmers are preparing for
additional
restrictions. Guillebeau said farmers won’t be allowed to use
chlorpyrifos on tomatoes, but can continue using it on other
crops.

“Farmers will probably be restricted on how close to
harvest
they can apply it,” he said. “We expect restrictions
on additional crops to come in the future.”

Choose an Alternative

But don’t panic. Alternatives are available.

“There are still some other products we can turn to such
as Diazinon and Malathion that will, in many cases, do just as
good a job as Dursban,” he said. Contact your county
Extension
Service agent for recommendations on alternatives.

“If you have Dursban at home, use it,” Guillebeau
said. “The best way to dispose of these products is to use
them up. If you have too much to use at your house, share the
product with your neighbors.”

Guillebeau doesn’t recommend rushing to the nearest garden
center to buy all the Dursban you can.

“Some companies removed all chlorpyrifos products from
their shelves immediately, but legally they have until the end
of the year,” he said. “I know some people are rushing
to the stores and stocking up on these products now. Just don’t
buy more than a six-month or a year supply, or you’ll be stuck
with 10 gallons you can’t use.”

Don’t Rush the Stores

Aside from wasting the pesticide by stocking up too much,
Guillebeau
said the product may not be effective after a year.

“Keep in mind that pesticides don’t last forever,”
he said. “You may end up with a product that’s simply not
effective anymore. And you’ll have no safe way to dispose of
it.”

Guillebeau says the EPA ruling should have consumers feeling
more sympathy for farmers.

“The positive side of this ruling is now consumers see
what farmers face when pesticides are removed from the
market,”
said Guillebeau. “I think farmers are going to have a much
harder time in the future as more products are removed from
use.”