Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/73811
In a petition filed on November 6, 2008, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) requested that EPA cancel all product registrations and revoke all tolerances (legal residue limits in food) for the pesticide 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, or 2,4-D. Turf students built a soccer field for our fall 'Yard Reno Makeover', core-topdressed Langley Lawn Bowl, repaired Langley's Barbour Field bullpen and renovated Langley's Michaud Heritage House lawn. Their fundraising efforts allowed for student attendance at the Victoria WCTA Conference, where their activities generated over $2,000 for turfgrass research. Kwantlen Turf Club capped the year with a recent $500 donation to turfgrass research. Sincere thanks go out to all turf industry who have supported us with event prize donations, event attendance, tee sponsorship and field trip hosting. These students will always remember you as they move up in their careers. All students are back to work at their summer jobs, where they are also working on their summer 'HORT 2300 Internship' projects. Graduate Jesse Cowan's 2011 project 'Gallaghers Canyon Greens Resodding' was presented at last years conference. Some very interesting projects are expected from this summer. Mike Hollaar at Hazelmere is doing Civitas trials. Steve Broccolo is composing a primer for Sprayer Operation at Northview. 'Tournament Preparation' from his experience with the LPGA Canadian Open this summer at Vancouver Golf Club. Andy Messner will report on "I've never been much of a morning person, except when it comes to golf. I love everything about the golf course atmosphere, have worked in almost every capacity but had never imagined a career in turf; until I had an inspiring talk with Uplands Golf Club superintendent Brian Youell which changed the path of me and my family. Now here I am. This past April I completed my first year in the turf management program at Kwantlen, am the acting turf president, currently work as the intern for at Capilano Golf Club and perhaps most exciting… I can wait to get up in the morning. Thanks to everyone for the support," says Grant Steinberg After considering public comment received on the petition and all the available studies, EPA is denying the request to revoke all tolerances and the request to cancel all registrations. By way of background, in 2005, as part of the regulatory process to ensure pesticides meet current regulatory standards, EPA completed a review on the registration and on the safety of the tolerances for 2,4-D. EPA determined that all products containing 2,4-D are eligible for reregistration, provided certain changes were incorporated into the labels and additional data were generated and submitted to the EPA for review. During the recent review of the petition from NRDC to revoke the tolerances, EPA evaluated all the data cited by NRDC and new studies submitted to EPA in response to the reregistration decision. Included in the new studies is a state-of-the-science extended one-generation reproduction study. That study provides an in-depth examination of 2,4-D's potential for endocrine disruptor, neurotoxic, and immunotoxic effects. This study and EPA's comprehensive review confirmed EPA's previous finding that the 2,4-D tolerances are safe. EPA also carefully reviewed NRDC's request that the Agency cancel all 2,4-D product registrations. Based on studies addressing endocrine effects on wildlife species and the adequacy of personal protective equipment for workers, the Agency concluded that the science behind our current ecological and worker risk assessments for 2,4-D is sound and there is no basis to change the registrations. 2,4-D is a phenoxy herbicide and plant growth regulator that has been used in the U.S. since the 1940s. It is currently found in approximately 600 products registered for agricultural, residential, industrial, and aquatic uses. There are 85 tolerances for 2,4-D. EPA published the NRDC petition for public comment on December 24, 2008. Summer is nearly here and turf industry personnel need to remember that when you're able to identify and quickly treat early symptoms of heat stress, your chances of preventing more severe (and possibly fatal) conditions rise. Heat stress happens when your internal temperature increases faster than your body can cool itself down. Watch for these early signs and symptoms: • Excessive Sweating • Dizziness • Nausea If you don't address these symptoms quickly, you may start experiencing heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or a life-threatening condition known as heatstroke, which requires immediate emergency medical assistance. It's crucial you don't ignore what might be signs of heat stress, regardless of the temperature. When someone experiencing heat stress is attended to and cooled down immediately, the time it takes to recover and return to normal activity is significantly reduced. • Move the worker to a cooler environment (e.g. shade, air-conditioned room) • Lay him/her down and, if possible, remove or loosen tight-fitting clothing • Cool him/her gently with cool water or by fanning • Give him/her oral fluid (e.g. juice, sports drinks, salted water) The best defence against heat stress? Take these steps to prevent it from happening at all: • Employers are required to conduct a heat stress assessment to identify any areas or duties that put workers at risk of heat-related disorders • If workers are working in hot temperatures, employers must have a heat stress exposure control plan • Train and educate workers and supervisors on identification of symptoms and treatment • Ensure there are cool areas for rest and allot extra breaks • Provide cold water for drinking and cooling down • Acclimatize workers to working in hot temperatures • Ensure workers are never alone when working in hot temperatures • Vary workload so there is a lighter workload for the hottest times of the day • Monitor heat exposure