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 |
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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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