![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Azinphos-Methyl Phaseout
Current as of February 20, 2008
Quick Resources
- Azinphos-Methyl
- Phosmet
- More about types of pesticides
- Basic information about the Food Quality Protection Act
On this page:
- Mitigation Measures during Phaseout
- Transition to Alternatives
- Background
- Information EPA Considered on AZM
- Risks of Concern
- Reasons for a Six-Year Phaseout for Some AZM Uses
- AZM Decision Document
On November 16, 2006, EPA issued its final decision on Azinphos-methyl to phase out the remaining uses by September 30, 2012. EPA's February 20, 2008, product cancellation order confirmed and finalized that decision. Azinphos-Methyl (AZM) is an organophosphate (OP) pesticide that poses health risks to farm workers, pesticide applicators, and aquatic ecosystems. AZM provides important pest control for growers of apples and other crops.
Phasing out AZM will encourage growers to use other, safer pesticides or alternative methods of pest control. This phaseout represents a significant increase in protections for agricultural workers and the environment. (Información en español.)
As of September 30, 2008, use of azinphos-methyl (AZM) on the following crops will be prohibited:
- Brussels Sprouts
- Nursery stock
As of October 30, 2009, AZM use on the following crops will be prohibited:
- Almonds
- Pistachios
- Walnuts
As of September 30, 2012, AZM use on the last remaining crops will be prohibited:
- Alkali bee beds
- Apples
- Blueberries
- Cherries
- Parsley
- Pears
All other uses of AZM have been voluntarily cancelled by the manufacturer.
Mitigation Measures during Phaseout
During the AZM phaseout, several risk mitigation measures are being implemented or strengthened, including:
- a mandatory ratcheting down of annual application rates to encourage movement to AZM alternatives
- larger buffer zones around water bodies to protect aquatic resources
- buffers around houses and other occupied structures to protect residents and workers in agricultural areas
- a gradual elimination of the few remaining aerial applications to further limit exposure to vulnerable water bodies
- post-application worker stewardship program -- EPA's decision includes the creation of a registrant-developed training program for post-application workers who enter areas treated with AZM. This program is designed to educate post-application workers on how to reduce their exposure to all pesticides, and includes an AZM-specific component.
Transition to Alternatives
The Agency expects growers of the 11 crop uses of AZM being phased out to successfully transition to the available safer alternative pesticides. To facilitate this transition, growers, registrants and other stakeholders are meeting periodically during the phaseout to discuss transition issues including the availability of alternatives, as well as newer pesticides in the pipeline to replace AZM. Co-sponsored by EPA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), this AZM Transition Issues Workgroup meets under the auspices of EPA's Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee.
Background
This action on AZM grew out of EPA's concern for worker and ecological risks. The AZM reevaluation and this decision are in accordance with the 2002 Memorandum of Agreement between EPA and the registrants of AZM products. This decision is based on new data and information that were required in the 2002 Data Call-In following the 2001 AZM Interim Reregistration Eligibility Decision (IRED), and on comments received on the June 2006 proposed decision for the remaining AZM uses.
Information EPA Considered on AZM
Prior to the proposed decision announced on June 9, 2006, EPA reviewed new registrant-submitted data on AZM use, ecological effects, and biomonitoring of workers performing post-application tasks, such as thinning and harvesting fruit trees.
Additionally, EPA considered information from other sources including Washington State Medical Monitoring, a 10-year compendium of National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program water monitoring data, comments from stakeholders, and ecological and worker exposure incident reports.
EPA conducted extensive stakeholder outreach and information gathering during the comment period on the proposed decision, including visits to growers and farm workers in Michigan, California, Oregon and Washington.
Risks of Concern
AZM poses risks to agricultural workers, water quality, and aquatic ecosystems. There are no residential uses and no dietary risks of concern. Since there are no dietary risk concerns for AZM, no tolerances are affected by this action. Cumulative dietary risks from the organophosphate pesticides also are not of concern. For additional information, see the OP cumulative risk assessment.
Reasons for a Six-Year Phaseout for Some AZM Uses
Many new alternatives have been registered since the Agency's previous benefits (grower impact) assessment in 2001. These new chemistries are more costly and generally require more precise application. Crop experts point out the importance of adopting these innovations gradually, so that growers learn appropriate application techniques and gain confidence in the efficacy of the new pesticides.
Also, international maximum residue levels (MRLs) have not been established for many alternatives in several key export markets. Establishing MRLs has historically been a lengthy process of 6-7 years, but EPA believes that MRLs for AZM alternatives can be achieved faster. MRLs are important so that food or feed legally treated with a pesticide in the U.S. can be exported in compliance with international food safety standards.
Because of previous mitigation and additional mitigation that will be implemented during the phaseout, EPA believes that the transition away from AZM can be managed in a way that minimizes risks to farm workers and the environment.
AZM Decision Document
The final AZM Decision Document and supporting materials are available electronically at Regulations.gov in docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0061.
Información en español
EPA emitió su decisión final sobre la descontinuación escalonada de los 10 usos restantes del insecticida organofosfato AZM durante un plazo de diez años a fin de reducirá los riesgos a obreros agrícolas, a aplicadores de pesticidas y a ecosistemas acuáticos. más ...