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Protect Workers From Pesticide Poisonings

The Environmental Protection Agency needs to hear from you about two pesticides that can poison orchard workers.  EPA has proposed to phase out one of the pesticides over the next four years, but this is far too long a period of time to expose workers to the risks posed by this pesticide.  As for the other pesticide, EPA is planning to allow its continued use without sufficient restrictions to prevent worker poisonings. 

EPA is accepting comments through August 8, 2006.  Please sign this petition and tell EPA to do more to protect workers from pesticide poisonings!

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0061

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I urge the EPA to phase out azinphos methyl for all crops immediately and to phase out phosmet, rather than authorize its continued use. EPA concluded back in 2001 that azinphos methyl causes unacceptable poisoning risks to workers. It has already given growers five years to shift to alternative pest control methods. Now that EPA admits that there are viable alternatives, it should immediately ban the sale of azinphos methyl after this growing season. Workers should not knowingly and unjustifiably placed in harm's way for four more years.

EPA also found unacceptable risks from phosmet. EPA should not allow these risks to continue indefinitely as it is currently proposing. Instead, it should impose the maximum worker protections available to prevent worker poisonings. For mixers and handlers, EPA recognizes enclosed cabs will prevent hazardous exposures, yet it does not mandate the use of closed cab systems. It has also rejected the option of requiring that workers use gloves when they come into contact with this pesticide, which could prevent some poisonings.

Signed by:

Campaign Launched:
August 04, 2006


Background Information

Orchard workerFive years ago, the Environmental Protection Agency found that two pesticides -- azinphos methyl and phosmet -- pose "unacceptable" poisoning risks to workers exposed to them when they work in orchards.  These two pesticides are highly toxic organophosphate neurotoxins.  Organophosphate pesticides, derived from nerve agents used during World War II, attack the human nervous system.  Exposure can cause nausea, dizziness, vomiting, seizures, paralysis, loss of mental function, and even death.  Farmworker families and communities are exposed to organophosphates through "take-home" exposures on clothing, cars, and skin.

Read a fact sheet on organophosphate pesticides (PDF file)

In 2001, EPA had found that AZM poses unacceptable risks to workers, but it allowed the pesticide to continue to be used for four more years because less toxic alternatives might cost a bit more to use.  EPA made similar findings for nine uses of phosmet and established longer periods when workers would need to stay out of the fields for these crops that would go into effect in 2006.  Earthjustice represented farm worker organizations challenging that decision in federal court because EPA failed to account for the costs of poisoning workers, exposing children, and polluting rivers and streams.  The farmworker groups bringing the lawsuit were United Farm Workers of America, Sea Mar Community Health Centers, Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste, Beyond Pesticides, and Frente Indígena Oaxaqueño Binacional.  To settle the lawsuit, EPA agreed to reconsider its decision to allow continued use of these pesticides.

Earthjustice At Work

Earthjustice is working to protect public health & communities through the courts:

In June 2006, EPA released a proposal to phase out all uses of azinphos methyl by 2010, with some uses phased out by 2007.  The decision would also eliminate aerial spraying, require 100 foot buffers around water bodies, reduce application rates, require buffers around buildings and occupied dwellings, and require medical monitoring of workers entering fields sprayed by AZM.  For phosmet, EPA lengthened the time periods when workers would remain out of the fields of the nine uses that create excessive worker risks.  In 2001, however, EPA had established longer bans on re-entering treated fields.  EPA has now abandoned these longer restrictions, which will expose workers to unsafe levels of phosmet for days and even weeks for some crops. 

EPA is accepting comments on this proposal through August 8, 2006.  We expect growers to urge EPA to back down from the proposed phase-out.  It is important that EPA hear from people who support the phase-out and who believe that it does not go far enough.

While EPA has finally and appropriately decided that azinphos methyl is far too dangerous to remain on the market, it is proposing to allow continued use of this pesticide for four more years.  EPA has found that alternative pest control methods are available to growers with only slight increased costs, and it has already given growers five years (since 2001) to begin shifting to alternatives.  There simply is no reason to expose workers to the egregious risks posed by azinphos methyl for another four years. 

In contrast to its decision to phase out azinphos methyl, EPA is proposing to allow phosmet to remain on the market indefinitely, even though it also exposes workers to unacceptable poisoning risks.  EPA is showing a callous disregard for the health and well-being of workers in making this decision.  EPA should require the greater worker protections for phosmet that it had embraced in 2001, but has now abandoned.  For both pesticides, EPA should impose greater safeguards to protect workers and the environment during any periods of remaining use. 

Please tell EPA to do more to protect workers from pesticide poisonings!

More information on pesticides and human health:

If you wish to send your comments by mail:

Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Pesticide Programs
Regulatory Public Docket (7502C)
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC  20460-0001

Hurry! Comments are due by August 8!