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Oxydemeton-Methyl Facts

EPA 738-F-06-020
August 2002

EPA has assessed the risks of oxydemeton-methyl (ODM) and reached an Interim Reregistration Eligibility Decision (IRED) for this organophosphate (OP) pesticide. Provided that risk mitigation measures are adopted, ODM’s individual, aggregate risks are within acceptable levels. ODM also is eligible for reregistration, pending a full reassessment of the cumulative risk from all OPs.

The OP Pilot Public Participation Process

The organophosphates are a group of related pesticides that affect the functioning of the nervous system. They are among EPA’s highest priority for review under the Food Quality Protection Act.

EPA is encouraging the public to participate in the review of the OP pesticides. Through a six-phased pilot public participation process, the Agency is releasing for review and comment its preliminary and revised scientific risk assessments for individual OPs. (Please contact the OP Docket, telephone 703-305-5805, or see EPA’s web site, www.epa.gov/pesticides/op.)

EPA is exchanging information with stakeholders and the public about the OPs, their uses, and risks through Technical Briefings, stakeholder meetings, and other fora. USDA is coordinating input from growers and other OP pesticide users.

Based on current information from interested stakeholders and the public, EPA is making interim risk management decisions for individual OP pesticides, and will make final decisions through a cumulative OP assessment.

ODM is a broad spectrum, systemic insecticide/acaricide registered for foliar and bark treatment uses to control many insects, primarily aphids, mites, and thrips. ODM residues in food and drinking water do not pose risk concerns. At this time, products containing ODM are intended solely for use in agricultural and non-agricultural settings by certified applicators. The only registered use likely to involve applications to public access areas or residential sites is tree injection by certified applicators to ornamental trees. With mitigation limiting homeowners’ and children’s exposure ODM fits into its own “risk cup.” With other mitigation measures, ODM’s worker and ecological risks will also be below levels of concern for reregistration.

EPA’s next step under the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) is to complete a cumulative risk assessment and risk management decision encompassing all the OP pesticides, which share a common mechanism of toxicity. The interim decision on ODM cannot be considered final until this cumulative assessment is complete. Further risk mitigation may be warranted at that time.

EPA is reviewing the OP pesticides to determine whether they meet current health and safety standards. Older OPs need decisions about their eligibility for reregistration under FIFRA. OPs with residues in food, drinking water, and other non-occupational exposures also must be reassessed to make sure they meet the new FQPA safety standard.

The ODM interim decision was made through the OP pilot public participation process, which increases transparency and maximizes stakeholder involvement in EPA’s development of risk assessments and risk management decisions. EPA worked extensively with affected parties to reach the decisions presented in this interim decision document, which concludes the OP pilot process for ODM.

Uses

Health Effects

Risks

Risk Mitigation

To mitigate risks to agricultural workers:

To mitigate risk to residents and children, the following measures are needed:

To mitigate risk to non-target species:

Next Steps

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