LAT: Household Pesticides Scrutinized

[DeepModem Mom]

Household Pesticides Scrutinized
State agency may curtail use of pyrethroids after discovering runoff is killing aquatic life.
By Marla Cone, Times Staff Writer
July 14, 2006

Alarmed that popular insecticides that end up in urban streams are killing tiny aquatic creatures, California's pesticide agency is conducting a review that is likely to lead to restrictions on many products used on lawns and gardens.

The chemicals, pyrethroids, are man-made versions of natural compounds in chrysanthemum flowers. Their use has skyrocketed in the past few years as U.S. consumers and exterminators search for less-toxic alternatives for dangerous insecticides already banned.

But last fall, a UC Berkeley scientist reported that pyrethroids are polluting streams in Northern California suburbs, wiping out crustaceans and insects vital to ecosystems.

Mary-Ann Warmerdam, director of the state Department of Pesticide Regulation, said Thursday that notices will be sent next month to manufacturers of about 600 pyrethroid products informing them that the state is reevaluating their use. That kicks off a process that will probably culminate in new regulations, and perhaps bans of some products in California.

"We've got the caution flag out," Warmerdam said. "This is a shot across the bow to the manufacturers that we found a reason for concern and you need to provide us with data to either eliminate the concern, reformulate your products or consider taking them off the market."...

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-insecticides14jul14,0,4922297.story?coll=la-home-local

[ecoalex]

1. Daamn, this was the goldenboy of pesticides, OMRI approved

What are they going to spray for mosquitos with now? What are organic producers going to use, as Pyganic is their choice for organic approved pest control.Once again we find there is no magic bullet.Pyganic worked great for me especially for aphids. I guess cedar oil will now rise to the front? Cedarcide is a repellant, but a stronger formulation is a registered pesticide.

[Gormy Cuss]

2. A sensible start would be to restrict the use by backyard gardeners

and regulate the commercial application a bit better. I'm less concerned with how traditional organic farmers are using this stuff than with the agribusiness organics and other growers who are using it in the scorched earth style.

As a backyard gardener I use pesticides and herbicides as a last resort. I can afford a little crop damage and a few persistent weeds because it's not my livelihood.

[Quakerfriend]

3. The US should wise up and stop allowing these corp to push

all this crap as being somehow natural- or close to it.

In Canada it is ILLEGAL to use any pesticides on your lawn!