PESTICIDES AND THE BIRTH DEFECT 
PREVENTION ACT

1984
SB 950 was passed creating the Birth Defect Prevention Act. Purpose was to prevent pesticide induced abortions, birth defects and infertility.

June, 1987
List of 200 priority chemicals is determined by the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) and published into state regulations.

July, 1999
First mitigation actions begin to take place by DPR. As an example, cotton defoliant Tribufos (DEF/Folex) has pre-harvest interval increased to address worker exposure risk.


KEY ISSUES

MITIGATION
Additional mitigation beyond current practices is a strong possibility, especially with worker exposure. All chemicals used on cotton that have been reviewed under this Act, have had requirements for additional mitigation, including Ovasyn, Eptam and DEF/Folex.

IMPACT
Of the 200 active ingredients listed, 53 active ingredients are no longer registered in California. Six (6) registrations have been suspended by DPR under authority of this Act. Of the remaining active ingredients, 47 are contained in products used on cotton including the following:

Accelerate Dibrom Lorsban Ridomil
Ambush Diuron Metasystox Round-up
Asana  Eptam Monitor  Savvy
Baythroid  Furadan MSMA Sevin
Buctril Gaucho Neemix  Starfire
Caparol    Goal Nemacur Supracide
Comite    Harvade Orthene Temik
Curacron    Javelin Ovasyn Thiodan
Cygon    Kelthane Prep Treflan
DCMO    Knack Prowl Vapam
DEF/Folex    Lannate Quick Pick Vydate
Demosan   Lindane Regent

 


California Food and Agriculture Code §13129(a).

If the Director, after evaluation of the health effects study of an active ingredient, finds that a pesticide product containing the active ingredient presents significant adverse health effects, birth defects, or infertility abnormalities, the Director shall take cancellation or suspension action against the product pursuant to Section 12825 or 12826.


California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Division 6, Chapter 2, Subchapter 1,
Article 3, § 6198.5(a).

Section 13127(a) of the Food and Agricultural Code requires the Department to identify 200 active ingredients which the Department determines have the most significant data gaps, widespread use, and which are suspected to be hazardous to people.

 

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