Ag worker pesticide rule closer to being finalized
A tougher agricultural worker protection rule is inching closer to becoming a reality, now that the EPA has sent it to the Department of Agriculture for review.
The revised1992 Agricultural Worker Protection Standard – which increases requirements for certifying workers who apply dangerous, restricted-use pesticides to crops -- is intended to reduce the 1,800 to 3,000 pesticide exposure incidents reported each year (although the EPA notes that there is widespread underreporting). In addition to major exposure incidents, the EPA is concerned about low level, repeated exposure to pesticides that may contribute to chronic illness.