Release No. 98-02
February 4, 1998
44 NEW PESTICIDES REGISTERED IN 1997;
16 ARE REDUCED-RISK CHEMICALS
SACRAMENTO -- Cal/EPA's Department of Pesticide Regulation registered 44
new pesticide active ingredients in 1997. Sixteen of them were
reduced-risk compounds.
The new active ingredients are found in products ranging from a
pepper-based repellent for garden-grazing deer ("Not Tonight Deer") to a
sugarbeet herbicide ("Upbeet") to a non-crop herbicide ("Transline") that
targets yellow star thistle, which endangers grazing livestock. (A
pesticide active ingredient is the specific chemical in a pesticide product
that kills or otherwise controls target pests.)
DPR Chief Deputy Director Jean-Mari Peltier emphasized the
Department's efforts to approve reduced-risk pesticides that better protect
public health and the environment. "We continue to work closely with U.S.
EPA to concurrently evaluate these chemicals and get them on the market as
soon as possible," said Peltier. "In several cases, DPR was able to
complete its evaluation of chemicals before they were approved at the
federal level."
In 1992, DPR began streamlining its registration process, focusing
on eliminating bureaucratic obstacles while maintaining high standards of
health and environmental protection. Concurrent registration was one step
in that process.
Reduced-risk chemicals generally offer lower overall risk than most
traditional pesticides. There were seven conventional pesticides classified
as reduced risk registered in 1997, along with six microbial pesticides and
three biochemicals. (Biochemicals and microbial pesticides are typically
microorganisms, pheromones, or other substances found in nature and are
typically reduced-risk compounds.)
California currently registers about 800 active ingredients used in
approximately 10,800 pesticide products.
DPR regulates all aspects of pesticide sales and use, recognizing
the need to control pests, while protecting public health and the
environment and fostering reduced-risk pest management strategies. All
pesticides must be evaluated and registered by DPR before they can be sold
or used in the state.
A table listing the 44 new pesticide active ingredients and their
uses is available in the press release section of DPR's Web site
<http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/pressrls/newreg97.htm>
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