January 1999 News

This article appeared in the January 1999 issue of PCT magazine.

EPA TAKES ACTION TO REDUCE ACCIDENTAL EXPOSURES TO RAT POISONS
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an effort to reduce accidental exposures to poisonous rat and rodent baits, and other rodenticide products, the Environmental Protection Agency is requesting that manufacturers add indicator dyes and bittering agents to help identify these products if they are accidentally ingested or improperly handled. Formulations for almost 300 products, including various pelletized baits, paraffin blocks and powders may be affected by these changes.

"The changes they want are not extraordinary," said Bob Rosenberg, director of government affairs for the National Pest Control Association. "In the Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED), they proposed (bittering agents and dyes), but they felt there needed to be more."

Although Rosenberg said he is unsure of what additional plans the EPA has to reduce risk of exposure to rodenticides, he said some risk-reducers could be more certification necessary to use the products, more information to the public or more restricted-use products.

EPA believes these changes will increase the safety of these products, especially when they are used in residential settings where young children are present and reported incidents of accidental ingestion and exposure are high. These safety measures were included in two EPA RED documents for rodenticide products, whose availability was announced in the Federal Register on Sept. 11. In addition to requiring the use of bittering agents and dyes as a condition for continued registration, EPA is establishing a stakeholder group to develop other ideas to further reduce the risk of exposure to rodenticides.

"This is a glimpse into the future of FQPA," he said. Since all pesticides are in the process of being reregistered as a result of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the reregistering of rodenticides isn’t a surprise. But with the passage of FQPA, all products that are being reregistered now are having to pass the FQPA’s more stringent guidelines for exposure.

Once a stakeholder group is established, EPA plans to conduct public meetings to accept and discuss ideas for improving the safety of rodenticide products. Rosenberg said that all four major rodenticide manufacturers — Zeneca Professional Products, LiphaTech, J.T. Eaton and Bell Laboratories — have asked to sit on the panel, as well as regulators and others in the industry. "But the advisory panel can’t just have industry people on it, according to federal law," he said. "It needs to be a balanced group."

The Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC), a subcommittee under the EPA, met in early January to discuss a number of issues, including this, and the stakeholder group will be a subcommittee of it. The PPDC then reports to the EPA.

FLORIDA ASSOCIATION HOSTS TERMITE SYMPOSIUM
ORLANDO, Fla. — About 190 PCOs attended a one-day Termite Symposium sponsored by the Florida Pest Control Association Dec. 3 in Orlando. PCOs from around the state attended the symposium for a day devoted to the region’s most problematic pest — termites. Although fewer people were in attendance this year (about 180) than last, organizers of the event were pleased with the attendance, said Paul Bello, regional technical coordinator for Zeneca Professional Products and organizer of the event.

Held at the Orlando Exposition Center, topics discussed at the conference ranged from construction-related problems to new termite regulations and talks about termite-related litigation. Speakers discussed many issues concerning PCOs, including Federal Trade Commission investigations, the Food Quality Protection Act, issues surrounding termite baits, new termiticides, termite litigation cases, termite biology and various termite control strategies.

"I had someone come up and tell me that they felt like they owed us more money because of the level of speakers," Bello said. "We look for interesting people who are good to listen to. The speakers this year were great."

Speakers included Fred Strickland, Terminix International; Ken Kendall, Ensystex; Roland Holt, Building and Codes Department, St. Johns County, Fla.; Dr. Brian Forschler, University of Georgia; Steve Dwinell, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Jacksonville, Fla.; Ron Strickland and Thomas Wolf, Dryvit Systems, McDonough, Ga.; Greg Crosslin, attorney, Montgomery, Ala.; Paul Hardy, Orkin Pest Control, Atlanta, Ga.; and Dr. Roger Gold, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP RESIGNS FROM TRAC & PESTICIDE PROGRAM DIALOGUE
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Oct. 26., the Environmental Working Group (EWG) resigned from the Tolerance Reassessment Advisory Committee. In a letter to Vice President Al Gore, EWG stated that it "cannot point to any tangible action the administration has taken as a result of either the Tolerance Reassessment Committee or the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee that actually will protect children from pesticides.

"In fact, we believe that, overall, pesticide risks have only gotten worse during the Clinton administration, despite the highly publicized White House pledge five years ago to reduce pesticide risks and usage, and take the most hazardous pesticides off the market," the letter said.

Jay Vroom, president of the American Crop Protection Association, said in a statement regarding EWG’s resignation that "The pesticide industry feels that the establishment of the Tolerance Reassessment Advisory Committee and that the five TRAC committee meetings have been worthwhile. Not all questions have been answered yet, but the process is not completed yet, either," he wrote. "Most notably, the TRAC process has resulted in the public comment process on soon-to-be released policies that are key to full and fair implementation of FQPA."

Bob Rosenberg, director of government affairs for the NPCA, said EWG’s decision to end its involvement is counter-productive. "Their decision to resign from TRAC was a splashy gambit, an effort to attract publicity," he said. "I don’t think it’s particularly constructive for anybody to walk away because they’re not getting what they want out of the process. There are interim steps we haven’t been pleased with as well, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to walk away from the discussions."

While the TRAC process has not created any policy breakthrough, according to Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment, an industry trade group, it has provided a valuable forum for the pesticide industry, environmentalists and EPA to discuss the value of organophosphates and carbamates, the association said.

TRAC will continue through spring 1999.

FOOD QUALITY PROTECTION ACT IMPLEMENTATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Environmental Protection Agency has published the "Framework for Addressing Key Science Issues Presented by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) as Developed Through the Tolerance Reassessment Advisory Committee (TRAC)" in the Oct. 29 Federal Register. The notice outlines a schedule for EPA issuance of the nine FQPA science policies suggested by the TRAC. EPA will issue guidance documents on each of the following science issues throughout the next year:

1. Applying the FQPA 10-Fold Factor;

2. Dietary Exposure Assessment —

Whether and How to Use "Monte Carlo"

Analyses;

3. Exposure Assessment — Interpreting

"No Residues Detected";

4. Dietary (Food) Exposure Estimates;

5. Dietary (Drinking Water) Exposure

Estimates;

6. Assessing Residential Exposure;

7. Aggregating Exposures from all Non-

Occupational Sources;

8. How to Conduct a Cumulative Risk

Assessment for Organophosphate Insec-

ticides or Other Pesticides; and,

9. Selection of Appropriate Toxicity End-

points for Risk Assessments of Organo-

phosphates.

According to the Federal Register notice, EPA had made plans by December 1998 to revise its Residential Exposure Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to include recommendations made in 1997 by the Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP). The SAP stated that the SOPs needed further scientific validation. The SAP also suggested that EPA specify what data should ideally be used in place of default assumptions.

EPA AWARDS WASHINGTON FIRM ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD
BELLEVUE, Wash. — Cascade Pest Control, Bellevue, Wash., has become the 7th Northwest company to earn the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s "Evergreen Award for Pollution Prevention." The Evergreen Award spotlights companies that are actively demonstrating how they can build an environmentally sustainable economy in the Northwest, EPA officials said.

Cascade uses various IPM techniques, including proper site inspections, integrating biological, mechanical and cultural pest control methods while minimizing the use of chemicals. Kurt and Diana Treftz, owners of Cascade Pest Control, received an Evergreen plaque and a flag for their business that identifies the company as an environmental leader in the pest control and management industry.

"For the most part, the EPA has been adversarial," Kurt Treftz said. "This is the first time the EPA has recognized any pest control company for doing something right.

"I feel a responsibility in the industry to get the word out that this (environmental award) can happen," he added.

EPA’s Evergreen Award is designed to showcase small, medium and large companies in the Pacific Northwest that have clearly incorporated a waste-preventing ethic in their business planning. Companies in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington will be considered for nomination if they are in full compliance with environmental laws and meet the criteria of having documented achievement in pollution protection, a commitment to the environment and a history of environmental leadership. Nominations for the EPA Region 10 Evergreen Award for Pollution Prevention will be accepted from employees of environmental regulatory agencies as well as companies themselves. The deadline for the next round of awards is Feb. 13, 1999. For more information, call Carolyn Gangmark, EPA Regional Headquarters, Seattle, at 206/553-4072.

PCOs OFFERED HELP IN DC AGENCY BATTLE
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Do you feel like government just won’t get off your back? Do you think there is no one out there willing to listen to the problems of just one PCO? Well, there just may be some help after all.

Created so that small businesses can complain about government agencies, the Regulatory Fairness Program takes complaints (and compliments) from small business owners and turns them into a report headed for U.S. Congress. The Oversight of Regulatory Reform provision of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) of 1996 created the National Ombudsman and 10 Regional Fairness Boards to provide small businesses with the opportunity to comment on enforcement activity by federal regulatory agencies. The National Ombudsman and the Fairness Boards will receive comments about federal compliance and enforcement activities every year. The report will give each agency a kind of "customer satisfaction rating" by evaluating the enforcement activities of regulatory agency personnel and rating the regional and program offices of the regulatory agency’s responsiveness to small business.

The SBREFA makes certain that small businesses have a voice that will be heard by federal agencies as they go through the rule-making process. It also gives small businesses expanded opportunities to challenge an agency’s final regulatory decision.

Complaints about a number of agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Internal Revenue Service were registered last year. Complaints can be made regarding any federal agency, according to the SBA. However, complaints cannot be made regarding state agencies, including state attorneys general offices.

How do PCOs register their concerns? Business owners fill out an appraisal form and the completed forms will be reviewed by the national ombudsman, former Congressman Peter Barca. Call 888/REG-FAIR or visit www.sba.gov/regfair.

ASSISTANCE WITH ADVERSE INCIDENT REPORTING
MINNEAPOLIS — Significant changes have been made to the reporting requirements for pesticide products under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) section 6(a)(2). These changes will substantially increase the amount of adverse incident reporting pesticide manufacturers need to do, providing them with the opportunity to better document and identify product safety issues.

Pest control operators will also likely be affected by the changes, as they will be expected to report on all adverse incidents that occur which involve pesticides they use.

The Prosar International Poison Center has followed the evolution of FIFRA 6(a)(2) adverse incident reporting policy and is taking proactive steps to educate the industry and the public about its meaning. In a recent news release, company officials discussed the immediate impact of these requirements on the industry as well as on consumers.

Companywide processes for collecting, documenting and reporting the required information were to have been put in place by June 16, 1998. Products designed for everyday use, such as insect repellent and weed killer, as well as any other product requiring an EPA registration number, are affected. In the past, companies could use discretion in terms of which incidents were reported. Now, all incidents, whether related to the product in question or not, need to be reported.

Rick Kingston, senior clinical toxicologist with Prosar, said ultimately, it’s the responsibility of product registrants to submit adverse incident reports to the EPA, but they will need assistance from pest control operators.

"The PCO needs to be aware of how they can get information to the registrants which they have a relationship with," Kingston said. He added it is likely that PCOs will often be the first to hear of adverse incidents related to pesticide products from consumers, therefore they will need to know how best to report that information to registrants.

"The PCO may simply be in a position of advising consumers of what number to call in the event they have a problem with one of the products being used," Kingston explained.

FIFRA section 6(a)(2) requires pesticide registrants to report information concerning any known or alleged adverse effects of their products to the EPA. Manufacturers are now required to report every allegation of an adverse incident brought to their attention, whether or not a correlation between the product and the adverse effect is established. The rule changes provide pesticide manufacturers and agents with the opportunity to better document product safety and identify critical issues earlier on. If handled correctly, this could provide reporting companies with a solid foundation for building an unbiased product safety record — one that will provide benchmarking data and a guide for product development, Prosar officials noted.

Prosar International Poison Center is a comprehensive data collection, reporting and toxicology information service. The company also offers toxicology, health and safety consulting. More information about Prosar’s services and about the reporting changes can be found on the Web at www.fifra6a2.com.

EPA WELCOMES NEW PARTNERS
BOSTON — The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that Waltham Chemical Company in Waltham, Mass., and Environmental Printing Alternatives in Worcester, Mass., are new participants in the Agency’s "Partners for Change" program. The program encourages New England businesses and municipalities to explore and implement responsible environmental practices in return for EPA recognition.

The EPA recognized Waltham Chemical Company for reducing its reliance on conventional pesticides by 40% and completely eliminating the use of organophosphates. These gains were made through the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) practices, including the proper integration of sanitation, mechanical and cultural methods, as well as the responsible use of pesticides.

Environmental Printing Alternatives is an environmentally friendly printing company that uses only recycled and tree-free papers, soy inks and natural products in their printing process.

"Partners for Change" is open to any business, municipality or organized group in New England. Small businesses are especially encouraged to apply. To be recognized as a partner, an organization must implement a project or activity that results in a long-term environmentally beneficial change to its daily operations. Such efforts can include waste reduction practices, recycling programs or other efforts that help green the workplace.

In return for joining the program, partners receive a certificate, window decal and publicity from the EPA. In addition, partners are featured in a partners-to-partners directory that lists all participating organizations.

To sign up for "Partners for Change," or for more information about the program, call 800/906-3328. Request the "environmental pocketbook," a resource guide with useful tips on recycling, energy efficiency and waste reduction, as well as phone, e-mail and world wide web listings of EPA help lines. The pocketbook also includes program requirements.

NEWT GINGRICH TO KEYNOTE LEGISLATIVE DAY ACTIVITIES
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, will headline the NPCA’s always popular Legislative Day activities, February 22-23 in Crystal City, Va. "It’s a one-in-a-million coup for NPCA to get Gingrich," said NPCA Executive Vice-President Rob Lederer. "This will be one of his first speaking engagements since leaving Capitol Hill as House Speaker."

Gingrich, elected Speaker of the House in 1995, is best known as the architect of the "Contract With America." He was named Time magazine’s "Man of the Year" in 1995 and is the author of several books including Lessons Learned the Hard Way. Gingrich will speak with Legislative Day ’99 attendees about his time in office, the power struggles on Capitol Hill and his future plans. "We are fortunate to secure Newt," said NPCA Government Affairs Director Bob Rosenberg. "Legislative Day ’99 attendees won’t be disappointed with the Speaker. He’s outspoken, motivational and believes in seeing our industry succeed."

Former White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry and political analyst Mary Matalin will round out an all-star cast of stellar speakers for Legislative Day ’99. NPCA will also host its second Kids Legislative Day with outings to Arlington National Cemetery, the Newseum, an interactive museum dedicated to world news coverage, and an opportunity for the kids to have their pictures taken with Gingrich.

A promotional brochure on the Legislative Day ’99 program will be forthcoming. For more information on the program or to register, call NPCA at 800/678-6722. To make hotel reservations, call the Hyatt Crystal City at 703/418-1234.

STEINMETZ DONATES $250,000 TO UF SCHOLARSHIP FUND
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Chuck Steinmetz and his wife, Lynn, have donated $250,000 towards scholarships and fellowships for students at the University of Florida Department of Entomology and Nematology. Steinmetz, who recently retired as president of Sears Termite & Pest Control, was PCT magazine’s "Professional of the Year" in 1996.

"It gives us a great sense of pride when our alumni are able and willing to share their success with current day students," says University of Florida Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources Michael V. Martin.

"It’s important that people in the private sector support university programs because we need an ongoing supply of highly talented people to keep our industry going," Steinmetz said. "Successful businesses are the basis of our country, and without those people we could not succeed."

AGREVO LAUNCHES "DINING TOUR" PROMOTION AT PEST MANAGEMENT ‘98
MONTVALE, N.J. – AgrEvo appealed to a PCO’s good taste with the launch of its Suspend Coast to Coast Dining Tour sweepstakes at the NPCA’s Pest Management ’98 in Nashville, Tenn.

The sweepstakes, which flies a winner and their guest to Los Angeles, New York, New Orleans and Orlando for gourmet meals in each city’s best restaurant, was the focal point for activities at the AgrEvo booth. The promotion was bolstered by an appearance by Nashville restaurant critics and radio show hosts The Saucy Sisters, and a cooking demonstration and tasting by Chef Debra Paquette of Nashville’s Zola restaurant.

Saucy Sister Barbara Nowak and Jim Myers from the online city magazine CitySearch.com, were on hand to distribute and sign The Saucy Sisters’ book, Insider’s Guide to the Best Places to Eat in Nashville, and Chef Paquette served up pork tenderloin seared in Moroccan spices with balsamic rose lentils, pomegranate yogurt sauce and mango mint salsa.

According to George Raymond, marketing manager, AgrEvo Professional Products, offering the Suspend Coast to Coast Dining Tour sweepstakes and scheduling appearances by some of Nashville’s finest food authorities at Pest Management ’98 was prompted by the recent EPA approval of Suspend SC for use in food/feed handling and processing establishments and for lawn and ornamental use.

"Suspend SC Insecticide’s enhanced label is a significant development for the pest control industry," Raymond said. "Its versatility has expanded, so much so that a pest control operator can now effectively complete almost any job, both inside and outside a home or business."

According to Raymond, Suspend SC suspension concentrate insecticide contains the active ingredient DeltaGard, and features an ultra-low dose, no odor formulation with long residual against a broad spectrum of insects, such as ants, fire ants, cockroaches, crickets (including mole crickets), fleas, ticks and webworms.

Entry forms for the sweepstakes were available at the AgrEvo Pest Management ’98 booth, and will continue to be available through AgrEvo DeltaGard distributros, from AgrEvo sales representatives, on the AgrEvo web page (agrevopco.com) and in a series of ads that will run through the duration of the contest. One grand prize winner of the Suspend Coast to Coast Dining Tour will be announced at PCT Dialogue ’99 in New Orleans, January 31, and two runner-ups will also be announced, winning $500 and $250 gift certificates to any Marriott Hotel worldwide.

For additional information about Suspend SC Insecticide or other products in the DeltaGard line, call AgrEvo Environmental Health Customer Service at 800/438-5837.

J.F. OAKES HAS NEW WAREHOUSE LOCATION
YAZOO CITY, Miss. – J.F. Oakes Sales & Marketing has moved all inventoried products to a new warehouse. Separate from the home office, the new warehouse is capable of housing a larger volume of inventory to better meet the demands of the PCO distributor. For inventoried items, orders are shipped same day as received.

The new warehouse facility is located at 413 South Main Street, Yazoo City, Miss. J.F. Oakes Sales & Marketing’s home office remains at 526 North Street, Yazoo City, Miss.

ORKIN NAMES NEW COO
ATLANTA — Rollins Inc. has announced that James A. McKinney has been named chief operating officer and executive vice president of Orkin Pest Control, Atlanta, Ga. McKinney joined Orkin in August 1998 as assistant to the president. McKinney brings to the company more than 20 years experience in the service industry. He has worked previously Skywire, Inc., Federal Express and General Dynamics companies. At Federal Express, he was president of Fed Ex Logistics Services.

"Jim has completed an extensive field training and company orientation program and is enthusiastic about his new responsibility and the future of Orkin," said Gary Rollins, president of Orkin. "We are fortunate to have someone of Jim’s background with highly transferable experience in service delivery and direct sales."

Rollins Inc. owns and operates Orkin Pest Control which offers termite and pest control services to more than 1.6 million customers in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean from more than 400 company-owned branch locations.

ARROW HONORED AS A PACESETTER
ATLANTA – Arrow Exterminators has received the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s "Pacesetter Award" for being one of Atlanta’s 50 Fastest Growing Private Companies. The award was presented recently at a ceremony held at Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta.

Arrow was chosen as a recipient based on its percentage of revenue growth over the last five years. The company grew in revenue from $18.2 million in 1993 to more than $38 million in 1997. Arrow Exterminators is among the largest pest control companies in the United States and has made 45 acquisitions in the past 10 years.

RHONE-POULENC HOSTS "NIGHT OF THE STARS"
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nearly 100 PCOs, product distributors, university researchers and regulatory personnel were serenaded by country music singing sensation Holly Dunn at a gala sponsored by Rhone-Poulenc at NPCA’s Pest Management ’98 in Nashville, Tenn.

Headlined "Night of the Stars," the invitation-only event was held at the television studios of the Nashville Network on the grounds of the Opryland entertainment complex. Following a limousine ride from the Opryland Hotel to the Nashville Network Studios, guests were treated to a cocktail reception and performances by Dunn and an all-star band featuring some of Nashville’s finest studio musicians. Following the performance, attendees were toasted by Manny Martinez, product manager for Rhone-Poulenc, who thanked those in attendance for their support in the impending launch of the company’s new termiticide, Termidor. "We couldn’t have done it without you," he said.