EPA Pesticide Program Update from EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs 01/14/00 http://www.epa.gov/pesticides *********************************************************************** IN THIS UPDATE: 1)ALLERCARE(tm) PRODUCTS RECALLED DUE TO ASTHMA AND RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS (Released by Press Office as Note to Correspondents 01/14/00) 2)Questions & Answers AllerCare(tm)Product Recall 3)Bt. CORN INSECT RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCED FOR 2000 GROWING SEASON (Press Advisory 1/14/00) *********************************************************************** 1)ALLERCARE(tm) PRODUCTS RECALLED DUE TO ASTHMA AND RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS (Released by Press Office as Note to Correspondents 01/14/00) Today S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. issued an immediate recall of AllerCare (tm) Dust Mite Powder and AllerCaretm Dust Mite Allergen Spray for Carpet and Upholstery. EPA urged the company to initiate this action based on incidents from consumers who reported experiencing asthma attacks and other medical problems associated with the use of these products. Today's action will result in a voluntary stop sale and full recall of these products from retail store shelves. EPA is conducting an extensive scientific investigation into the reported reactions to ensure protection of public health, and is overseeing the recall closely. The products are being removed from store shelves immediately. The Agency also is working with other government agencies on this issue. Consumers who currently have this product in their home, especially those individuals with allergies or respiratory conditions, should consult their physician or allergist before using the product. If consumers want to return the product, they should contact the company, S. C. Johnson, toll free at 1-877-255-3722. AllerCare (tm) was labeled to control dust mites, which may contribute to allergic reactions in people. Some of the serious symptoms that were experienced include: asthma attacks, respiratory problems, burning sensations, and skin irritation. For further information, consumers may contact the National Pesticide Tele-communications Network at (800) 858-7378, or visit EPA's web site at http://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 http://www.aaaai.org. Information on the following documents is available on our web site at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides *********************************************************************** 2)Questions & Answers AllerCare(tm)Product Recall (See attached file: Allercare.Q&A.PDF)(See attached file: Allercare.Q&A.wpd) *********************************************************************** 3)Bt. CORN INSECT RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCED FOR 2000 GROWING SEASON (Press Advisory 1/14/00) EPA has announced new measures for resistance management in Bt. corn. The additional measures to fully manage insect resistance for the 2000 growing season include: registrants must require that growers plant a minimum structured refuge of at least 20 percent non-Bt. corn; for Bt corn grown in cotton areas, registrants must ensure that farmers plant at least 50 percent non-Bt corn; registrants will expand monitoring in the field as an early warning system to detect any potential resistance, and will communicate voluntary measures that will protect non-target insects, particularly the Monarch butterfly; and there will be sales and planting restrictions in certain limited geographic areas for some products. The industry has agreed to the Agency's conditions. For more information on EPA's biotechnology regulatory program for plant pesticides, see: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides. *********************************************************************** 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: Communication Services Branch Office of Pesticide Programs (7506C) US Environmental Protection Agency Ariel Rios Building 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20460 703-305-5017