EPA Pesticide Program Update
from EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs 02/03/00
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides
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IN THIS UPDATE:

1)SOME CONSUMERS REMAIN UNAWARE OF ALLERCARE tm RECALL      
(Note to Correspondents 2/3/00)

2)PESTICIDE BIENNIAL REPORT RELEASED
(Press Advisory 2/3/00)

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1)SOME CONSUMERS REMAIN UNAWARE OF ALLERCARE tm RECALL

On January 13, at the urging of the Environmental
Protection Agency, S.C. Johnson and Son, Inc.
issued an immediate voluntary recall of
AllerCareJ  Dust Mite Powder and AllerCareJ
Dust Mite Allergen Spray for Carpet and
Upholstery.  The recall is based on more than
400 incidents from consumers reporting medical
problems associated with the use of these products.
Some of the serious symptoms that have been
reported include: asthma attacks, respiratory
problems, burning sensations, and skin irritation.

Since the Jan.13 recall, the company reports that
98 percent of the products have been removed from
store shelves.  However, some consumers unaware
of the recall have continued to report adverse effects
from using the products.  To ensure protection of
public health, EPA again urges consumers with
these products in their homes, particularly those
with asthma, other respiratory conditions, or
allergies, to consult their physician if they have
concerns.  To return the products, consumers
should contact S.C. Johnson and Son, Inc., toll
free at 1-877-255-3722.

For further information, consumers may contact
the National Pesticide Telecommunications
Network at 800-858-7378, or visit EPA's web site at:-
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides.  If consumers need
additional information on allergic diseases or asthma,
they may contact the American Academy of Allergy,
Asthma and Immunology at 800-822-2762, or on
their web site at:  http://www.aaaai.org.


 
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2)PESTICIDE BIENNIAL REPORT RELEASED


EPA has released its biennial pesticide report
which provides an overview of the initiatives
and accomplishments achieved during 1998 and
1999 in implementing the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the
Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA),
and the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA).
These statutes, in part, are designed for environ-
mental protection and assurance of a safe and
healthy food supply.  EPA met the FQPA re-
quirement to reassess 33 percent of the pesticide
tolerances by August 3, 1999, and took action to
reduce the risks of two organophosphate pesticides
with emphasis on lowering the risks posed to
children.  EPA established the Tolerance
Reassessment Advisory Committee, a stakeholder
forum, which, among other things, assisted in
identifying key science policies to better implement
the law and counseled the Agency in establishing the
organophosphate pesticide tolerance reassessment
process.  The report includes the number of reduced
-risk registrations, the reduction in backlog of
antimicrobial registrations, new strides in worker
protection programs, and the completion of 27
Reregistration Eligibility Decision documents
that established significant risk reduction
requirements for older pesticides.  The report will
be available at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides.

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EPA distributes its Pesticide Program Updates
to external stakeholders and citizens who have
expressed an ongoing interest in OPP activities
and decisions.  This update service is part of
EPA' s continuing effort to improve public access
to critical information.



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:

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US Environmental Protection Agency
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Washington, DC 20460
703-305-5017