Diazinon: Another Insecticide Bites the Dust

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced its plan to phase out diazinon, an insecticide that can damage the nervous system and cause nausea, headaches, vomiting, and diarrhea. Concerned that children are exposed to diazinon in the home, where it is a leading culprit in pesticide poisonings, EPA said it will cancel registration for indoor use by March 2001, and for lawn and garden use by August 2003. However, diazinon-containing brands, such as Ortho, Spectracide, and Real-Kill, can remain on store shelves until 2004. Diazinon, which has caused numerous bird kills and is also highly toxic to mammals, fish and honeybees, is the fourth organophosphate pesticide to be cut back under the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. To find out how to dispose of diazinon properly in your area, contact 800/CLEAN-UP, www.1800cleanup.org, or your local sanitation department.

Sources: EPA Press Release and Office of Pesticide Programs Diazinon Summary, 12/5/00; USA Today, 12/5/00.