Re: Re:fungicides and EPA investigation

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OK johncodie?

Thanks for the article. Over the years I have seen persons applying chemicals without
protective equipment (agencies and commercial applicators for example). They are so used
to application, and have the mindset that the chemicals are so safe that PPE and other
precautionary measures are not necessary. This was an unfortunate incident in Alabama
(1982).

Is this the same case you referred to in your previous post? That previous post mentioned
a fungicide, not a RU pesticide? If there was another case involving a fungicide please
let me know?

ff

On 7/03/03, johncodie wrote:
> Ok Frank:
>
>
> www.sunhearld.com Saturday, June 28, 2003. Appropriate Section is on the Obituares,
> bottom section.
>
> Pesticide blamed for killing 58 cows
>
> THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
>
> ELBERTA, Ala. -- The death of 58 cows in a Baldwin County field were caused by Phorate,
> a highly toxic pesticide commonly used in peanuts and some other row crops, tests show.
> An investigation into the June 6 deaths continues, but State Veterinarian Dr. Tony
> Frazier said there were not indications that the pesticide was used inproperly on an
> Elberta farm where the cows died.
>
> Jason Fran, who owned the herd and the peanut field, has a permit authorizing him to use
> restricted pesticide according to state records.
>
> Investigationr suspect the pesticide washed off the peanut field during days of heavy
> rain. But they have yet to dertermine where the cows contacted it.
>
> Phorate is one of the most toxic compounds in the family of pesticide, meaning a
> special, state-issed license is required to use it. Phorate, according to the
> Environmental Protection Agency, is highly toxic if it is touched, ingested or inhaled
> in relatively small doses. According to the risk assessment, 1.4 parts per million was
> enough to till more than half the rats in lethal doste test. In contrast, it would take
> 1,000 to 10,000 parts per millon of the common hosehold pesticide malathion- also an
> organo phosate -to kill the same number of rats.
>
> EPA documents noted that cases of severe poisoning or deaths in cows could occur at
> levels above 3.5 parts per millon.
>
> In 1982, a 22 month old chold died after playing in his grad-father's yard near a coffee
> can filled with a phorate-based pesticide, according to an internal EPA emeom reported
> by the Mobile Register in a story Friday.
>
> The environmental agency's maximum level allowed in peanuts is 0.1 part per million.
> Federal regulations bar more than two applications annually of the chemical to any crop,
> including peanuts.
>
> Typically applied in granual or emulsified form, an estimated 3 millon pounds of phosate
> are spread over almost 2.5 million acres of crop annually, according to the EPA.
>
> The pesticide is usally used to control insets such as leaf hoppers and mites as well as
> nematodes and root worms. Phorate is most often used on peanuts, potatoes, cotton and
> corn, and can be spread by crop duster, injected into the ground or sprinkled over
> leaves.

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