Subject: parathion toxicity
Date: Apr 27 09:01:09 2000
From: Ken Steffenson - ksteffenson at watoxics.org


Diann and Tweeters-

Thanks for posting the alert on ethyl parathion. I had planned to do it today.

However, there is one mistake in the alert:

The Docket number listed near the bottom is wrong. It says
OPP-34197A, but that is actually the docket number for another
chemical called fenitrothion, which is also under review.

The correct Docket number for comments on ethyl parathion is
OPP-34171A. If you submit comments, please use the correct number, or
your comments may not be considered.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Ken Steffenson
Washington Toxics Coalition
(contact info at bottom)

************************


Original message:


Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 09:37:19 -0700
From: Diann MacRae <tvulture at halcyon.com>
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: FYI - parathion toxicity

> Action Advisory
>
> Ethyl Parathion: known lethal and sub-lethal hazard for birds in the US
>
> Public comment needed -- deadline 1 May 2000
>
>American Bird Conservancy (ABC) urges conservationists, scientists, bird
>watchers, and the public to respond to an Environmental Protection Agency
>(EPA) request for comment on the ecological effects of ethyl parathion.
>Ethyl parathion, an organophosphate insecticide, is known to be very highly
>toxic to birds and has caused numerous wildlife mortality incidents. Bird
>die-offs have been documented in a wide range of species including
>waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and songbirds. Also, even after extensive
>efforts to mitigate hazards to humans, ethyl parathion continues to raise
>significant safety concerns for farm workers.
>
>According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service "substantial evidence
>verifies that mortality of migratory birds and other non-target organisms
>occurs even when parathion is applied in complete conformance with the
>label." Birds can be poisoned by ingestion of insects or grains with
>residues, by preening or bathing, via inhalation of spray particles or
>dermally through feet or exposed skin (especially of chicks and also brood
>patches of nesting birds).
>
>In 1991, after numerous lethal incidents involving humans, wildlife, and
>domestic animals, ethyl parathion was restricted to use on nine crops:
>alfalfa, barley, corn, cotton, canola, sorghum, soybean, sunflower, and
>wheat. Further restrictions attempted to minimize worker contact with the
>product by not allowing the harvest of crops by hand and by delaying
>entrance into the field for any reason for 3 to 6 days after spraying.
>Nevertheless, applications are made by plane and helicopter and, besides
>being present during spraying, birds and other wildlife cannot be
>restricted from entering the field where residues are available for
>extended periods after application.
>
>Currently, approximately 600,000 pounds of active ingredient is used
>annually on over 775,000 acres of land. (See <www.abcbirds.org> for crop
>specific information.) In the overwhelming majority of cases, there are
>economical and effective alternatives to ethyl parathion.
>
>Additional concerns:
> * The EPA risk assessment states "uses of parathion are likely to result
>in bird deaths. In addition to mortality, a suite of sub-lethal effects has
>been documented in avian species. These include reproductive effects,
>health impacts for nesting birds and their young, damage to food resources,
>feeding and behavioral changes and greater vulnerability to predation and
>environmental stress."
> * Use of ethyl parathion is highest in the Great Plains and prairie
>pothole region where effects can be devastating to wetland ecosystems
>critical to bird populations even when certified applicators take
>extraordinary precautions. This region accounts for 50% or more of the
>annual waterfowl production in North America. Ethyl parathion is relatively
>persistent with a metabolic half-life of 50-140 days in aerobic soils
>(26-30 degrees C, pH 6-7) and 6-88 days in aquatic anaerobic soils (30
>degrees C, pH 5.5-6.5). Parathion is unusually resistant to hydrolysis,
>with a 108-day hydrolytic half-life (pH 7.4).
> * The primary degradate of ethyl parathion, paraoxon, is five times more
>easily absorbed than parathion and 40 to 50 times more toxic. The
>opportunity for multiple applications in a single year and the extended
>toxicity and persistence of paraoxon (in dry and wet conditions) increases
>potential for ongoing acute and chronic exposures of birds and other
>wildlife for weeks. Residues of parathion and paraoxon have been found at
>relatively high concentrations on crop foliage and soils for at least 45
>days after parathion was applied at normal rates under dry conditions.
> * Abundant incident data confirm that avian mortality and significant
>adverse effects result from dietary exposures, inhalation, dermal exposures
>and secondary exposures of non-target species eating contaminated prey
>species. For example: predatory birds such as kites, kestrels, and hawks
>feeding on insects or small mammals; or ducks feeding on tadpoles which
>have been shown to concentrate ethyl parathion and seem to be able to
>tolerate higher levels of exposure.
> * By implementing restrictions after 1991 to protect the health of
>agricultural workers (i.e. no treated crop can be harvested by hand and
>prohibiting entry into fields for several days), opportunities to identify
>wildlife kills and the responsibility of reporting adverse effects has been
>mitigated.
> * Besides the strengthening of label warnings, EPA has been unable to
>identify other risk mitigation strategies that might reduce the ongoing
>risks to wildlife and humans from use of ethyl parathion.
>
>All members of the public are encouraged to comment to EPA on the risk
>assessment and re-registration of ethyl parathion. Identify all comments
>with the number OPP 34197A.
>
>Action:
>
>Ask EPA to cancel all registered uses of ethyl parathion based on known
>hazards to birds and other wildlife species including, bees, fish, reptiles
>and mammals. Let them know that the time has come to remove the older and
>most hazardous pesticides in the chemical arsenal. Tell them that their
>assessment clearly indicates that the ongoing and unavoidable hazards of
>ethyl parathion use far outweigh the benefits.
>
>Where to find more information:
> * The full assessment is available via EPA at:
><www.epa.gov/pesticides/op/ethyl_parathion.htm>
> * Or go to the ABC website and click on pesticides: <www.abcbirds.org>
>
>How to submit comment:
>
>All comments must be identified with the docket number OPP-34197A.
>
>Comments may be submitted by mail, electronically, or in person.
>
>By mail. Submit comments to: Public Information and Records Integrity
>Branch, Information Resources and Services Division (7502C), Office of
>Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, Ariel Rios Bldg., 1200
>Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
>
>In person or by courier. Deliver comments to: Public Information and
>Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division,
>Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. 119,
>Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA. The PIRIB is
>open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal
>holidays. The PIRIB telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
>
>Electronically. Submit electronic comments by e-mail to: <opp-docket at epa.gov>




>
Ken Steffenson
Education Coordinator
Washington Toxics Coalition
4649 Sunnyside Ave N
Suite 540-East
Seattle, WA 98103
206-632-1545 ext.17 fax: 206-632-8661
*******************************************************
The Washington Toxics Coalition (WTC) is a non-profit organization
dedicated to protecting public health and the environment by
identifying and promoting alternatives to toxic chemicals. WTC's work
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