Department of Pesticide Regulation Acting Director Julie Henderson last week directed staff to add more control measures for applications of the fumigant 1,3-D.
Applicators will likely need to use tarps to meet the new mitigation targets for minimizing exposure to bystanders. A pilot project is looking at other measures that can achieve the same emissions reductions. Staff are also exploring local and regional control measures to reduce exposure. The current DPR requirements for protecting bystanders include a 100-foot buffer zone. Henderson notes in her letter that recent spikes in air monitor readings for 1,3-D could result in acute health effects in children.
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1,3-D controls nematodes, insects and disease in the soil and is applied to fruit and nut trees, strawberries, grapes, carrots and other commodities.
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