On the Cidelines Newsletter 2024
CHLORPYRIFOS INSECTICIDE CHANGES
Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate insecticide used to control many different kinds of insect and other pests, including termites, mosquitoes, and roundworms.
Chlorpyrifos may no longer be used on food crops (with a few exceptions). This is due to identified risks from dietary exposure, especially to the neurodevelopment of children.
Some chlorpyrifos products have been commonly applied in Alaska. Users should be aware that product labels will be changing, and some uses that were previously allowed may no longer be legal.
Products such as Lorsban, Dursban, Cobalt, Whitmire, and many pesticides with the word “Chlorpyrifos” in the name may no longer be used on food crops. This applies even to existing stocks with labels that allow use on food crops. For other chlorpyrifos products, existing stocks may still be used on food crops, even though labels on new packages will not allow it. Farmers should be wary when making new purchases, since allowed sites will change on new containers.
Check with DEC for a complete list of which products may be used.
Pesticide Complaints
What Is the Public Worried About, And How Can It Affect You?
The Pesticide Control Program follows up on every complaint and tip received regarding pesticides and how they are used. When a violation of regulations is identified we take action in accordance with our EPA approved Enforcement Response Policy.
The Pesticide Control Program has conducted follow up or investigation for nineteen complaints in the last five years. The most common concerns were application during windy conditions, off-site drift, impacts to birds, bees, or the environment, and refusal to inform neighbors about what was being applied.
Some of these complaints resulted in enforcement action, and at least one resulted in a civil lawsuit against the applicator. What does this mean to you, as a certified applicator?
- Many people are concerned about use of pesticides in their neighborhood. Being transparent, upfront, and willing to provide information can often head-off problems.
- Keep good records of your application (as required by regulation) but consider adding additional information to help document your compliance.
- Measure and record wind speeds during pesticide applications, as well label or regulation wind limits.
- Survey any treatment site for areas of concern such as nearby gardens, flowering plants, or water bodies. Make notes about these concerns and any actions taken to prevent impacts.
- Keep notes about any interactions with neighbors or anyone with concerns about your treatment.
The DEC Pesticide Control Program has lots of information about pesticide risk for concerned citizens. Please feel free to refer people to our program for more information.
Certified Applicator Violations 2023
Be aware of common violations by certified applicators! Make sure you’re careful to follow all requirements when you are doing your work this season.
The Pesticide Control Program conducted 4 records inspections, 9 use inspections (including agricultural use/worker protection), and 13 complaint investigations in 2023, and identified 10 total violations.
| # | Description | Regulation |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Failure to obtain certification prior to applying pesticides commercially (3 separate occurrences) | 18 AAC 90.300 |
| 1 Each |
|
Federal Agricultural Worker Protection Standards regulations as required under 18 AAC 90.020(5) & 600 |
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