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Envirobytes - Archive
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for Week Ending May 29, 2009
EPA MID-ATLANTIC REGION PARTICIPATES IN ASTHMA OUTREACH IN MARYLAND
The Fredrick Memorial Healthcare System Annual Asthma Awareness Day took place on May 27 in Frederick, Md. to educate the local community and participants about the latest advances in asthma management and control. EPA asthma initiative coordinators were invited and took this opportunity to distribute materials on the factors that trigger asthma, asthma management care, and the contributing factor of environmental tobacco smoke to the affliction. For information on EPA's asthma initiative, go to https://www.epa.gov/reg3artd/asthma/marai.htm
KEEP TRACK OF OZONE LEVELS THROUGH EPA WEBSITE
As warmer weather approaches, sunlight and hot temperatures react to form air pollution as volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides in the air combine to form ground-level ozone. To protect yourselves from over-exposure to high levels of ozone pollution (especially asthmatics and other vulnerable populations) and to keep abreast of changes in air quality conditions, please access the Air Quality Forecasts (AQF) and the Air Quality Index (AQI) at (http://airnow.gov/)
ENJOY A GREENER/HEALTHIER YARD WITH EPA'S GREENSCAPING METHODS
You can enjoy a greener, healthier yard using EPA's GreenScaping methods this summer. EPA's GreenScaping principles advocate that mainly by substituting or reducing the use of high maintenance plants (those requiring more watering, fertilizing, and pruning), in favor of low maintenance native plants and grasses; and converting excess lawn area into a natural habitat, you can help prevent pollution, conserve natural resources, maximize ecological function, and save time and money. For more information, go https://www.epa.gov/greenscapes/
EPA HOSTS SUMMIT TO STUDY TOXIC CHEMICAL IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH
Scientists, regulators, and policy makers from around the world convened at EPA's first ToxCast Data Analysis Summit held in Research Triangle Park (N.C.), to discuss the first phase of its ToxCast program. The ToxCast program helps EPA determine the conditions under which environmental exposures pose risks to human health. EPA announced at the summit that a company is making public clinical data on more than 100 drugs that showed adverse effects in clinical human testing and that EPA will run the compounds through ToxCast to see if they provide a direct link to human toxicity. For more information on the ToxCast program, go to https://www.epa.gov/ncct/toxcast/index.html
EPA STRENGTHENS SAFETY MEASURES FOR SOIL FUMIGANT PESTICIDES
EPA is strengthening safety measures for soil fumigant pesticides (commonly used primarily on potatoes, tomatoes, strawberries, carrots, and peppers) by requiring greater planning and compliance in pesticide use to protect the economic integrity of the agricultural community and the public health of farm workers and consumers. The new safety measures start in the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons and will include creating buffer zones, added protection for agricultural workers and strengthening training programs. Methyl bromide, chloropicrin, dazomet, metam sodium, metam potassium, and iodomethane are all subject to the new requirements. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/reregistration/soil_fumigants/
EPA APPROVES ANTIMICROBIAL PESTICIDE AGAINST ANTHRAX
EPA has approved the first registration/license for an antimicrobial pesticide decontamination system product: Peridox designed to deactivate anthrax spores on hard, dry, pre-cleaned, hard, nonporous surfaces. Peridox can decontaminate buildings, structures, vehicles, ships, aircraft, personal protective equipment, and other items infected with anthrax spores and is for use by the country's federal on-scene coordinators, the U.S. military, and persons trained and certified by the manufacturer to respond to anthrax incidents. The Anthrax bacillus is highly toxic and if untreated, can cause illness or death in humans and animals. The Registration Notice is available at: https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/chemicals/peridox-eds.html To View all news releases related to pesticides and toxic chemicals
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