Items Tagged with 'Pesticides'

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency on Aug. 1 reapproved the use of the toxic herbicide paraquat in limited aerial applications, reigniting debate over the controversial, restricted-use substance that has been linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease among agricultural workers.

Washington — Citing “continued concerns regarding personal protective equipment shortages in the agricultural sector,” the Environmental Protection Agency has extended until Sept. 30 the provision on “annual fit test delay” in temporary guidance intended to help protect workers who handle agricultural pesticides against exposure to COVID-19.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule that revises the pesticide application exclusion zone requirement in the agency’s standard on agricultural worker protection.

Washington — In response to reported shortages of filtering facepiece respirators and declining availability of fit testing, the Environmental Protection Agency has issued temporary guidance intended to help protect workers who handle agricultural pesticides against exposure to COVID-19.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has unveiled a proposed rule intended to revise the pesticide application exclusion zone requirement in the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard.

Honolulu — Men who are exposed to high levels of pesticides at work face a 45% higher risk of heart disease and stroke, results of a recent study from the University of Hawaii show.

East Lansing, MI — Farm workers exposed to an unusually high level of pesticides may be 50% more likely to lose, either partially or completely, their sense of smell later in life – an early symptom of Parkinson’s disease and dementia, results of a recent Michigan State University study show.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is offering training intended to help prevent poisonings among workers who apply the toxic herbicide paraquat, as required by agency regulations.

Washington — By publishing the availability of expanded pesticide safety training materials after previously resisting the move, the Environmental Protection Agency will reduce risks of injury and illness among employers, farmworkers, pesticide handlers and their families, the EPA Office of Inspector General asserts in an audit report released Aug. 30.

Albany, NY — Attorneys general from New York, California and Maryland have filed a lawsuit challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to indefinitely delay a requirement for employers to provide enhanced training intended to protect farmworkers, pesticide handlers and their families from exposure to pesticides.