More EPA Internet Newsbrief
Y2K & Environmental News
INTERNET NEWSBRIEF, February 26, 1999
Internet NewsBrief is a weekly service from the EPA Headquarters Library that provides a sampling of new and/or useful Internet resources for EPA staff and other environmental professionals. The Internet NewsBrief is also available on the Web at: http://www.epa.gov/natlibra/hqirc/inb.htm
**Viewpoints expressed in the following summaries do not necessarily reflect EPA policy or views**
** EPA INFORMATION **
Pesticides and Food, Office of Pesticides Programs (OPP) http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/food/
This Office of Pesticides Programs (OPP) site includes the brochure titled "Pesticides and Food: What your Family Needs to Know." This brochure, required under the Food Quality Protection Act, has been a source of controversy in recent weeks. Environmental groups argue that the brochure does not go far enough in explaining the dangers of pesticides. Agricultural groups, on the other hand, argue that the brochure is wrong for implying that pesticides are unsafe. The link for downloading the brochure can be found at the bottom of OPP's web page. A paper copy of the brochure can be ordered at (800) 490-9198. OPP's web page also includes links that provide further information about pesticides and food. These links are titled "How the Government Regulates Pesticides," What the Pesticide Residue Limits Are in Food," "Why Children May Be Especially Sensitive to Pesticides," "What 'Integrated Pest Management' Means, What 'Organically Grown' Means," "Types of Pesticides on Foods," "Health Problems Pesticides May Pose," and "Healthy Sensible Food Practices."
** ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION **
Food News, Environmental Working Group (EWG) http://www.foodnews.org/
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) works closely with public interest groups and citizens campaigning to protect the environment. They specialize in providing information on the threat of pesticides to infants and children. In January, they put together a new, interactive web site that provides information on pesticides found in foods and what the potential health effects of these pesticides might be. The site includes four food categories: "Daily Fare," "Kid's Corner-Kids Menu," "Fruit Salad Roulette," and "EWG Supermarket." Users can select or enter which foods they have eaten and they will retrieve information about the pesticides found in these foods and the potential health effects. Once in a category, sidebars on the left includes links to additional information about foods and pesticides. EWG also has a separate Pesticides in Food page that is available at http://www.ewg.org/pub/home/pesticides/pest_food.html
** BUSINESS/CORPORATE/NONPROFIT INFORMATION **
American Crop Protection Association (ACPA) http://www.acpa.org/public/issues/pesttest/indexpesttest.html
The American Crop Protection Association (ACPA) is a nonprofit trade association representing agricultural interests, including major manufacturers, formulators and distributors of crop protection and pest control products. The above address is ACPA's page on pesticide testing. A link is included for a publication titled "From Lab to Label." In writing about this publication, ACPA states that it "describes the complex process of research, development, testing and government review and evaluation that leads to the registration of a new pesticide product for market. It is a process that assures the foods we eat are safe, nutritious and healthful." On the left side of the page, there are links to information about ACPA. The publications page includes links to publications for the Food Quality Protection Act, food quality and safety, integrated pest management, pesticide testing, and safe pesticide use.
Do You Know What You're Eating: An Analysis of U.S. Government Data on Pesticide Residues on Foods, Consumers Union http://www.consunion.org/food/do_you_know2.htm
Consumers Union is the publisher of Consumer Reports. They are dedicated to providing consumers with unbiased information developed through independent, nonprofit testing. In February, Consumers Union published a report titled "Do You Know What You're Eating? An Analysis of U.S. Government Data on Pesticide Residues in Foods." This report received a good deal of publicity in the news media. The Consumers Union analyzed data collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Pesticide Data Program. They were able to determine the level of pesticide residue and its toxicity in over 27,000 food samples. The above address includes a summary of the report. At the bottom of the page is the link to download the PDF file for the full report. Another Consumers Union page, http://www.consunion.org/food/food.htm , includes a lengthy list of food safety links, including a large number of EPA and FDA links.
** GOVERNMENT INFORMATION **
Office of Pest Management Policy (OPMP) and Pesticide Impact Assessment Program (PIAP), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) http://ipmwww.ncsu.edu/opmppiap/
This page is a joint effort between two USDA offices. The Office of Pest Management Policy (OPMP) is the primary office for USDA pest management programs. The Pesticide Impact Assessment Program (PIAP) is a multiagency program that includes the Land Grant Universities. The page includes links to organization and personnel, state and regional programs, the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), crop profiles, publications, and a calendar. The crops profiles link includes background information on crop production and pesticide management practices for each state. These profiles are used to assist the EPA with their risk assessments.
** ACADEMIC/EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION **
National Pesticide Telecommunications Network (NPTN) http://ace.orst.edu/info/nptn/
The National Pesticide Telecommunication Network (NPTN) is a cooperative effort between the EPA and Oregon State University. The Network focuses on providing objective, scientific information on pesticides related subjects. It provides a toll-free telephone service at 1-800-858-7378. It is a source of information on over 600 pesticide ingredients that can be found in 50,000 different products registered for use in the United States. The above address is for NPTN's home page. At the left side of the page is a list of links leading to factsheets/information, pesticide databases, pest control information, regulatory agencies, pesticide companies, poison centers, related links, and antimicrobial information. The page features information about a Food Quality Protection Act Discussion group.
DISCLAIMER
The information provided in Internet NewsBrief was correct, to the best of our knowledge, at the time of publication. It is important to remember, however, the dynamic nature of the Internet. Resources that are free and publicly available one day may require a fee or restrict access the next, and the location of items may change as menus and homepages are reorganized. Permission is granted to make and distribute copies of Internet NewsBrief provided appropriate credit is given to the U. S. EPA Headquarters Library and the disclaimer paragraph is included.
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