P A N U P S
Pesticide Action Network
North America
Updates Service

February 21, 1997

In response to the methyl parathion disaster in Mississippi, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it is taking steps to stop future use of restricted-use pesticides in urban areas. Over 1,500 homes and businesses in Mississippi were sprayed with methyl parathion by unlicensed pest control operators over a two year period ending in November 1996. The only legal uses of methyl parathion are for agricultural crops under restricted conditions; all indoor uses are prohibited.

The spraying has resulted in the temporary relocation of over 1,100 people. In addition, local veterinarians reported deaths of household animals due to methyl parathion exposure. Eight day care centers, one restaurant and two hotels that were sprayed have been closed, and extensive cleanup operations are underway as part of EPA's Superfund program. Cleanup costs may reach more than US$50 million. Nine individuals have been arrested and criminally charged with misuse and/or illegal sale of the pesticide.

In previous years, two similar events have occurred. In 1994, homes and businesses were sprayed with methyl parathion in Lorain County, Ohio. EPA "decontaminated" 232 homes to "habitable conditions" at a cost of more than US$20 million. In April, 1995, a similar incident was discovered in Detroit, Michigan. Four residences, including a homeless mission, required "decontamination and restoration," costing approximately US$1 million.

According to a report in the Clarion-Ledger, a Mississippi newspaper, EPA staff had developed a plan for a national program to combat the illegal use of agricultural chemicals to kill household pests, but were unable to get funding for implementation of the program last year. As part of their research, EPA staff compiled records of 22 accidental deaths since the mid-1960s caused by illegal home use of methyl parathion or ethyl parathion. Some of the victims were children who died after drinking pesticides from unmarked containers or after crawling on floors that had been sprayed.

According to EPA staff, parathion will be the first target of the new enforcement strategy. Initially EPA will attempt to find the points of diversion from agricultural to urban use by examining the chain of distribution. Then by using outreach programs to agricultural organizations, EPA will emphasize the concept of "good stewardship." EPA and other inspectors will also examine urban areas with particularly severe pest problems, especially where past abuses have been found.

After the illegal spraying in Mississippi, EPA negotiated an agreement with Cheminova Agro, the sole U.S. manufacturer of parathion and principal registrant, to recall all unopened containers of the emulsifiable concentrate of parathion from distributors, retailers and users throughout the U.S. According to EPA, the recall is expected to be completed by the end of February 1997.

Before the recalled products can be resold, an odor agent must be added to make any indoor use "extremely disagreeable." According to EPA, this will help consumers tell whether the pesticide has been illegally sprayed in their home. Tamper-resistant and bar coded containers will be required to prevent unapproved use and to allow tracking of all containers down to the user level. Cheminova also agreed to inform distributors, retailers, growers and consumers on proper uses of the pesticide. Mixtures and micro-encapsulated formulations of methyl parathion are not included in this recall agreement.

An estimated 4.5 million pounds of methyl parathion are used annually in the U.S. Approximately 95% of this is used on cotton, soybeans, field corn, peaches, wheat, barley and rice, primarily in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska and Texas.

Parathion is one of PAN International's Dirty Dozen pesticides, and has been banned in over 14 countries. From the time it was introduced to the U.S. market in 1948, parathion has been a leading cause of occupational pesticide poisonings. It is an extremely acutely toxic (WHO Class Ia) pesticide, a potent neurotoxin that is easily absorbed into the body and has also been linked to a wide variety of severe acute and chronic health effects including reproductive and endocrine disrupting effects.

Marcia Ishii-Eiteman, PAN North America Program Coordinator stated, "Parathion's legacy in the U.S. highlights fundamental weaknesses in EPA's pesticide regulatory system. Even in a wealthy country with elaborate regulations such as the U.S., effectively controlling pesticide use is an elusive goal, especially when an extremely hazardous pesticide like parathion is involved."

Sources:
EPA Environmental News, January 15, 1997.
The Clarion-Ledger, November 24, 1996.
EPA National Alert, December 12, 1996.
Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, January 15 & January 29, 1997; November 13, December 18 & 25, 1996.

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