August 31, 2004
Tuesday

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is informing Alaska consumers and retailers that EPA is canceling product registration for all residential pesticide products containing the active ingredient diazinon. Products with diazinon as the active ingredient will no longer be allowed to be sold in Alaska as of December 31, 2004. EPA will phase out some uses of diazinon in commercial agriculture over the next two to five years.

EPA has determined that minimal amounts of diazinon residue in food and drinking water from agricultural uses do not pose human dietary health risks; however, exposure to diazinon by agricultural workers, residential users, and some wildlife could pose an unacceptable risk.

Diazinon is the active ingredient in many pesticides used for lawn and residential insect control and pet collars. When used in high concentrations, it may cause nausea, dizziness, and confusion. Extreme exposures (e.g. accidents or major spills) may cause respiratory paralysis and death.

Retailers may not sell stocks of diazinon products labeled for residential use after December 31, 2004 and must properly dispose of these products at a collection center or return to the manufacturer. Homeowners who have products containing diazinon on December 31, 2004 may continue to use them until depleted or dispose of them in a hazardous waste collection center.

Source of News Release:

Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
Web Site

 

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