EPA Pesticide Program Updates

from EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs 08/05/02: EPA MEETS PESTICIDE

TOLERANCE REASSESSMENT GOAL; SENATE CONFIRMS SUAREZ TO BE EPA ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides



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

IN THIS UPDATE:

  1) EPA MEETS PESTICIDE TOLERANCE REASSESSMENT GOAL (Note to Correspondents 8/2/02)



  2) SENATE CONFIRMS SUAREZ TO BE EPA ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR (Press release 8/2/02)



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



1) EPA MEETS PESTICIDE TOLERANCE REASSESSMENT GOAL (Note to Correspondents 8/2/02)



EPA has met a significant milestone in a multi-year regulatory process to
reassess existing levels for allowable pesticide residues on food (called 
"tolerances").  Today marks the successful completion of the second phase 
of an intensive 10 year scientific and regulatory effort to ensure that
all existing pesticide tolerances meet the tougher food safety standard called 
for in the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996.

That law required EPA to complete the comprehensive safety evaluation of
over 66 percent of existing pesticide tolerances by Aug. 3.


"The rigorous scientific and public processes followed by EPA during this 
tolerance reassessment continues to strengthen our confidence in the
overall safety of the nation's food supply and underscores the benefits of 
eating a varied diet rich in fruits and vegetables," said Stephen L.
Johnson, EPA's Assistant Administrator for the Office of Prevention, 
Pesticides and Toxic Substances.  "This accomplishment represents a great
deal of work, not only by  EPA staff but also significant contributions 
from many scientific experts, various stakeholders and the public."

In accordance with deadlines set in the law, EPA has reassessed over 
6,400 tolerances for pesticide residues on food (tolerances are the 
maximum amount of a pesticide allowed to remain in or on a food commodity 
that has been treated with that pesticide).  In conducting the safety
evaluation, EPA prioritized for reassessment and risk mitigation specific 
pesticide classes which may pose the greatest risk, including the
organophosphate, carbamate, organochlorine classes, as well as pesticides 
which show evidence of carcinogenicity.  Depending on the specific class,
EPA has completed tolerance reassessment for half and up to three-quarters 
of the individual pesticides in each of these various classes.  Tolerance
reassessment has also included numerous other individual pesticides which 
are not part of these specific classes.

Additionally, the Agency has reassessed almost two-thirds of the 
tolerances for foods commonly eaten by children.  As part of the
reassessment process, EPA has revoked over 1,900 tolerances. 

Throughout this process, EPA has sought extensive public involvement, 
including releasing risk assessments for comment, presenting technical 
briefings on risk assessments, inviting public comment on risk management 
options and seeking public comment on the science policies used by the
Agency in its decision making.  EPA convened advisory committees to 
ensure transparency in the decision process and increased its consultation
with stakeholders.  EPA developed methods for conducting effective 
assessments of combined (or "aggregate") exposures from food, water and
residential sources of exposure, which provide a more complete picture 
of risk than had previously been possible.  The Agency also developed
methods for assessing the cumulative risk of multiple pesticides that 
have a common mechanism of toxicity.  Together, these steps have
significantly strengthened the scientific foundation and public 
participation supporting the US pesticide regulatory program.

In addition to meeting the tolerance reassessment goal, on July 31, 
EPA completed the evaluation of  four individual pesticides, in compliance
with a consent agreement with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).  
These pesticides are: benomyl, diazinon, endosulfan, and lindane.


Additional information on tolerance reassessment is available on EPA's

web site: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/tolerance/.  Information on
chemicals undergoing EPA's pesticide reregistration process is available
at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/status.htm.

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



2)SENATE CONFIRMS SUAREZ TO BE EPA ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR (Press release 8/2/02)


The U.S. Senate confirmed John Peter Suarez to be EPA Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance on Aug. 1.  He

previously served in New Jersey as a federal prosecutor, Special Assistant to the Director of the Division of Criminal Justice and

Director of the state Division of Gaming Enforcement. 



"EPA is fortunate to have J.P. Suarez as part of its leadership. J.P. will be a strong addition to our team, serving in a critical position,"

said Administrator Christie Whitman.  "Throughout his professional career he has demonstrated a determination to be vigorous in enforcing

the law firmly and fairly. I am convinced that he will serve the nation well in enforcing the laws that ensure that all of us, especially our

children, can enjoy cleaner air, purer water, and better protected land."



During his tenure as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, from 1992 to1998, he was the recipient of the Director's Award for his successful prosecution

of an Atlantic City gang and the Professional Lawyer of the Year award from the N.J. State Bar Association.  His assignments in the U.S.

Attorney's office included the Fraud and Public Protection Division and Criminal Division, where he was on the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement

Task Force.



In the state Division of Criminal Justice, where he served from January 1998 to January 1999, Suarez assisted the director in the management and

supervision of the division and was an Assistant Counsel to the Governor of New Jersey, where he handled all criminal matters for the Governor

and the Counsel's office.



Suarez became the Acting Director of the state Division of Gaming Enforcement in January 1999 and Director in March 1999.  He was elected

to chair the International Association of Gaming Regulators and served from October 2000 to January 2002.





A native of Flushing, N.Y., Suarez  grew up in Old Bridge, N.J.  He holds a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor's

degree from Tufts University. 



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





EPA distributes its Pesticide Program Updates to external stakeholders and citizens who have expressed an interest in

OPP activities and decisions.  We have established  an electronic listserve for people who want to keep abreast

ofpesticide issues and decisions. This update service is part of EPA's continuing effort to improve public access to

Federal pesticide information.





For general questions on pesticides and pesticide poisoning prevention, contact the National Pesticide

Information Center Network (NPIC), toll-free, at: 1-800-858-7378, by E-mail at npic@ace.orst.edu,

or by visiting their website at: http://npic.orst.edu



For information about ongoing activities in the Office of Pesticide Programs, visit our homepage

at:  http://www.epa.gov/pesticides 





Or call or write us directly at:



Communication Services Branch

Office of Pesticide Programs (7506C)

US Environmental Protection Agency

Ariel Rios Building

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20004-2403

703-305-5017