Pesticides: Reregistration

Worker and Ecological Risk Reduction
To eliminate phosmet exposure in residential settings, improve worker safety, and lessen ecological risks, EPA's actions for phosmet include:
• 3 uses will be canceled immediately – since safer pest control alternatives are available;
• 9 crop uses would be eligible for time-limited registrations for 5 years if the registrations are amended to require additional risk reduction measures;
• 33 uses would continue with additional risk mitigation measures.

Time-Limited Registrations
The Agency has taken the approach of a time-limited registration for some uses of phosmet because both the risk to reentry workers and the benefits of the use on crops such as apples and blueberries are high. "High benefits" means that the withdrawal of phosmet from the market would result in significant economic impacts on the fruit industry. These effects are largely determined by the lack of alternative methods to control pest pressure effectively and economically.

To protect agricultural workers during the time-limited registration period, a variety of new and stringent

precautions would be implemented. These include longer intervals before workers may re-enter treated areas, reducing the amount of pesticide that may be applied, and in some cases limiting the number of applications.

EPA's Review Process
The phosmet IRED concludes EPA's review of this individual pesticide through the organophosphate pilot public participation process. Through this process, EPA exchanged information on phosmet's uses, risks, and benefits with stakeholders and the public, and obtained significant input from interested parties. This input helped the Agency determine whether phosmet is eligible for reregistration and meets the safety standard set by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996. A final reregistration decision will be issued following completion of the cumulative risk assessment for the organophosphate pesticides.

Risk Mitigation
EPA's phosmet decision includes the following measures to reduce risks to workers, consumers, and the environment:

To Reduce Worker Risks....
• increase Restricted Entry Intervals (REIs)
• increase Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI) where appropriate
• require closed transfer systems
• require enclosed cabs or maximum personal protective equipment (PPE) for applicators
• registrants must conduct studies and provide data on monitoring cholinesterase levels of field workers; on the feasibility of using gloves; and update benefits information

To Reduce Ecological Risks...
• add spray drift language to labels
• add language for inward nozzle spray
• limit application amount
• prohibit application during bloom period

To Encourage Use of Safer Alternatives...
• encourage growers to develop Pest Management Strategic Plans
• issue time-limited registrations

Provisions of the Phosmet IRED

Action: Voluntary Cancellation		Date: Following Federal Register publication
Use:	Domestic pets	Household ornamental	Household fruit trees