Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
Sections:
Article: Audio Messages for Pesticide Labels
International Environment News
Asia
Europe
Air Quality
Chemicals and Minerals
Children's Health
Cleanup
Climate Change
Conservation
Environmental Management
Sustainable Development
Water Quality
Weapons
Upcoming International Conferences
Internet Sites on Pesticides
INFOTERRA Information
Subscribe to EarthLink on the Listserv
AUDIO MESSAGES FOR PESTICIDE LABELS
In February of 1995, Mr. Alvaro Yamhure, an Ecological Effects Branch scientist (Environmental Fate and Effects Division, EFED, of the Office of Pesticide Programs), offered the idea of a "talking label" as a means of obtaining greater compliance by pesticide applicators regarding correct application and use of pesticides. EFED management was very supportive, believing the idea worthy of investigation. A feasibility study was conducted to determine if the technology was sufficiently advanced to allow development of an audio label.
In November of 1995, EPA received support from Mr. Bert Braddock, a regional sales manager at ISD who worked hard to make a label possible. Mr. Braddock introduced the Labeling team to Mr. Ben Everidge and the Spacemark company's audio trading card, which contains a computer chip containing recorded information. Mr. Everidge agreed to demonstrate his new audio trading card and to help explore how it could be modified to create a talking pesticide label. In March of 1996, a quasi-workgroup made presentations on the concept and the technology to Program Director Dan Barolo, as well as the Division Directors of OPP. Mr. Barolo warmly endorsed the work effort and supported concept development.
Why Do We Need A Bilingual Audio Label?
In the late 1980's and early 1990's, two surveys were completed by EPA to determine pesticide use. Their findings were that a large portion of the pesticide user community does not (1) read the label prior to application, (2) follow the directions for use, resulting in both over- and under-application of pesticides, and also does not (3) communicate information to workers about the pesticide being applied in the agricultural field. When the Agency receives reports of pesticide incidents as required under FIFRA Section 6(a)2, about possible "unreasonable adverse effects" to humans and the environment, the paramount cause is pesticide misuse.
In addition, a portion of the U.S. population may have difficulty reading the pesticide label. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 1.5 million individuals in the United States in 1990 who were 15 years-old or older were also visually impaired. In addition, six-percent of the population have limited English speaking/reading ability. And 13 percent of the population is bilingual, with Spanish being the most commonly spoken second language. A Spanish-English audio label could assist these individuals in our population who may otherwise be unable to comply with written pesticide label instructions.
What are the Implementation Opportunities?
EPA has created many pesticide labeling groups over the years to address complex, multi-faceted labeling issues as they arise. Within the Office of Pesticide Programs, members of Worker Protection, Storage and Disposal, Ecological Effects Branch, and Labeling Unit staffs met to discuss their insights on possible implementation opportunities as described below.
WPS Applications
*To clearly communicate when the Restricted Entry Interval (REI) expires and what are the protective clothing and equipment requirements. This would occur prior to early field entry for workers who are not fluent in English or who are non-English speakers.
*To remind mixers, loaders and applicators of the correct protective equipment that must be worn when handling the specific pesticide product.
*To alert handlers to the hazards posed by the pesticide (i.e., corrosive to the skin or eyes), and/or
*To communicate first aid steps in the event of an accident with the pesticide.
Labeling Unit Recommendations
An excellent use of the talking label would be communicating the dangers resulting from the use of aerosol foggers. Because foggers are flammable and can be explosive when used improperly, an audio message would more effectively communicate the potential dangers resulting from product misuse. This technology, however, may increase the cost of marketing pesticides; foggers are already more expensive than other formulations, and so the additional cost may not be a factor.
If this technology increases the retail cost of the residential pesticide significantly (i.e., adding 20-30 cents per product), then a talking label may preclude consumers from buying the pesticide. However, if cost is not a consideration, then a tactic similar to the one used with the agricultural audio label is recommended for the residential pesticide. Basic audio messages could communicate precautionary statements, such as “Keep this product away from children,” and “For your safety and best product performance, read the label carefully.”
*Cautionary Note* An audio message can unintentionally attract children to these poisons. Therefore, adoption of this technology will require EPA and the pesticide industry to be ever vigilant to ensure that the highest standards are maintained when using child-safety caps and other forms of child-resistant packaging.
Pesticide Storage and Disposal
An estimated 223 million "one-way" pesticide containers are used and disposed of each year. However, refillable containers are becoming more widely used, relieving some of the disposal problems caused by "one-way" containers. Because refillable containers must be sufficiently durable to withstand the stresses of extended use and handling, including structural and operational safeguards to prevent cross-contamination when the same container is used to hold different pesticide products, the components necessary for a talking label could be imbedded in these containers, allowing reuse of the micro-computer chip, and replacement and recycling of the battery. In addition, talking label technology can provide a means of educating the consumer on the proper use, storage and disposal of pesticides, addressing such issues as: at the point of sale, how much pesticide is necessary for effective performance to prevent consumer over purchase, and correct cleaning procedures for both "one-way" and refillable pesticide containers.
Currently, the 3M company is working with Spacemark in exploring the use of audio technology with their respirator products; 3M has also identified misuse as a serious problem associated with respirator use. These are problems which will be taken care of in the future, however.
For more information on talking labels, please contact Ms. Amy Breedlove
of the Office of Pesticide Programs Labeling Team at (703) 308-9069, or
email her at breedlove.amy@epamail.epa.gov.
INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT NEWS
Asia
“Japan’s Nuclear Coverup: Political Meltdown,”
The Economist 343 (April 19, 1997): 41.
Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto recently expressed his outrage after learning that once again, the government’s Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corporation (PNC) delayed the announcement of yet another radiation leak at one of its plants, in order to cover up mistakes it had made in dealing with the accident. It took 30 hours for the PNC to notify local authorities, and the PNC later admitted that eleven other minor leaks occurred at the plant during the past three years. Another major accident involving a different facility is also being investigated, due to the agency’s mishandling of a fire which caused an explosion there. News of these delayed warnings has alarmed the public as well as the Prime Minister. Reform of the agency may loom in the near future.
Europe
Sommaruga-Wograth, Sabine, et al. “Temperature Effects on
the Acidity of Remote Alpine Lakes.” Nature 387, no. 6628 (May 1, 1997)
: 64-67.
A study of 57 mountain lakes in the eastern Alps demonstrates that changes in air temperature, rather than acid deposition, appears to be the main contributor influencing lake acidity. Enhanced weathering and increased biological activity, caused by climate warming, has resulted in elevated sulphate, base cation and silica concentration in the lakes.
Air Quality
Lefohn, Allen S. “Science, Uncertainty, and EPA’s New
Ozone Standards.” Environmental Science and Technology 31 no. 6 (June,
1997): 284A-289A.
EPA is scheduled to release its final decision on the promulgation of new National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone and particulate matter in July. Uncertainty associated with the scientific database and the attainability of the proposed standards has fueled considerable debate among the media, the federal government, and Congress. This article examines the science underlying the proposed standards for human health and vegetation and the areas which continue to remain in research.
Elvingson, Per. “Revised Guidelines From World Health Organization.” Acid News , no. 1 (April, 1997) : 9.
The World Health Organization’s revised air-quality guidelines for Europe will include significant changes from the old version. The new version will omit a guide value for particulate matter, and a halving of the figure for short-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide. The new figures reflect the greater knowledge of noxious effects of air pollutants which has been acquired in recent years. The WHO guidelines, although not legally binding, have been made in close cooperation with the EU commission’s environment directorate, and represent EU limit values for nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, and lead.
Elvingson, Per. “Startling Reduction of Emissions.” Acid News, no. 1 (April, 1997) : 10.
In contrast to pre-1990 German reunification, East Germany’s sulphur emissions have been reduced significantly due to the implementation of West German environmental laws. Most of the cause of sulphuric emission was due to mass burning of lignite. While plants with a limited remaining lifespan were allowed to continue as they were until 1999, the remainder had to comply with western requirements by June 30, 1996. Upgrading and renovations, including flue-gas desulphurization equipment, and modifications in the combustion process, has resulted in a net increase in efficiency of 10 percent, while reducing emission of nitrogen oxides by 60 per cent.
Florig, H. Keith. “China’s Air Pollution Risks.” Environmental Science and Technology, 31 no. 6 (June, 1997) : 274A-279A.
Research compiled from epidemiological studies in China reveals that air pollution is responsible for more than 1 million deaths per year. Exposure to particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from fuel combustion are the major factors to health damage. Indoor air pollution, caused by using unvented coal stoves for cooking and heating, often exceeds Chinese and World Health Organization standards for ambient outdoor air and typical urban outdoor pollution levels. In an effort to ease demand on local biomass resources, the Chinese government has instituted a replacement program for household stoves to modern, vented models. In addition, China’s National Environmental Protection Agency has initiated an environmental regulatory system including a full set of air pollution standards, emissions permitting, and fines for emissions that violate standards and permits.
Chemicals and Minerals
Mitchell, Jennifer D. “Nowhere to Hide: The Global Spread
of High-Risk Synthetic Chemicals.” World Watch10, No. 2 (March/April
1997): 26-36.
The mounting risk of exposure to synthetic chemicals--through accidental contact, bioaccumulation, and unpredictable synergies-- suggests that the tens of thousands of compounds now at large in the environment can no longer be considered “harmless until proven guilty.” The releases of new synthetic chemicals are out of control, and so are their apparent effects on alligators, frogs, and children. The deforming effects of chemicals commonly found in the environment are documented, and must be taken into serious consideration. The author stressses that we must move faster to limit and eventually outlaw toxic chemicals in order to reverse this process of deformation and pollution, however, the political atmosphere may not be ready for such a change when they bring in many effects and much revenue annually.
Alleman, James E., and Brooke T. Mossman. “Asbestos Revisited,” Scientific American 277, No. 1 (July 1997): 70-75.
Today reviled as a health hazard, this mineral enjoyed many years as
a darling of industry. Its fireproofing capabilities were only one of
the reasons it was incorporated into a wide range of products, including
clothing, plastics, magicians’ props, bazooka shells, surgical dressings,
and toothpaste. This article traces the history of the use of asbestos
around the world in different items, including its trade, its structure,
and the health concerns and new identity that have plagued its reputation
in the last 50 years.
Children’s Health
“Children’s Health Declaration, Chair’s Summary
from G-7 Environment Ministers Meeting in Miami,” Bureau of National
Affairs - International Environment Reporter Current Reports (May 14, 1997):
498-501.
G-7 Environmental Ministers released a declaration on children’s health during a recent meeting in Miami. The declaration acknowledged that children are exposed to numerous health threats from a wide variety of environmental hazards, and specified “items for action” which could “benefit most from collective effort by the Eight.” The action items were environmental risk assessments and standard setting, children’s exposure to lead, microbiologically safe drinking water, environmental tobacco smoke, emerging threats to children’s health from endocrine disrupting chemicals, and impacts of global climate change to children’s health. The declaration stressed the importance of sharing information, collaborating on research and developing cooperative strategies to deal with these threats.
Chair’s Summary - In Miami, the environmental leaders voiced their commitment to “achieving a strong agreement for controlling of greenhouse gases” at the Third Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held in Kyoto, Japan. All agreed that developed nations must take the lead, and “appropriate mechanisms” must be put in place in ensure compliance among all Parties. The Ministers also voiced their support for emerging international cooperative efforts for enforcement of environmental laws and compliance. All the leaders agreed that the UN General Assembly Special Session “provides a unique opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to sustainable development.” The Special Session should also review the successes, as well as failures of the Rio summit, and that the areas of forests, freshwater, and energy should be identified as “central priorities” by the Special Session.
Conservation
“Wildlife Conservation in Africa: Tusks and Horns and Conservationists,”
The Economist 343(May 31, 1997): 44.
In 1989, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITIES) listed the African elephant as endangered (thereby banning ivory trade). At the next CITIES meeting beginning June 9th, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana will ask that their elephants be removed from the list, because of the large increase in elephant populations in those countries. This would clear the way for ivory trade to be renewed, but only under strict conditions. African countries have accumulated large stockpiles of ivory (mostly confiscated from poachers) and want to sell only a small fraction of this and deliver it to one buyer (Japan). Additionally, only ivory that is accumulated either from poachers or elephants that died naturally would be traded. Proceeds of the sale would go to finance conservation efforts. Animal rights groups charge that a lifting of the ban will encourage poaching and reverse all recent gains made in protecting wildlife.
Streisand, Betsy. “Basic Training for Tree Huggers.” U.S. News and World Report, 12 May 1997, 44-45.
A series of “action camps” run by the Ruckus Society (based in Missoula, Montana) teaches environmentalists the basics of civil disobedience methods for saving the planet. Besides the conventional tactics currently in use, the camp also trains its students in how to use the mass media to further its aims. The importance of symbolism is stressed -creating symbols and manipulating them so the public sees things the way environmental groups want them to. Since the first camp was held in 1995, more than 600 activists from various groups around the country have participated. There is no charge involved in participation, and organizers plan to expand upcoming actions, though they would not specify how.
Cleanup
Begley, Ronald, “Resurrecting Brownfields,” Environmental
Science and Technology News 31, no.5 (May 1997): 226A-230A.
Recent regulatory changes, particularly at the state level, have removed some of the barriers that discourage developers from getting involved with environmentally damaged sites (brownfields). At this time however, site cleanups remain more of a promise than a reality. Although measures vary from state to state, most of them allow for standards that account for a site’s future use and establish limits for future liability. However, at the Federal level such liability remains a concern to investors and developers. Bills are currently pending in Congress that would lift these restrictions and grant tax breaks to developers. EPA is also expanding its pilot programs and increasing spending to aid state voluntary cleanup programs. Emphasis on partnerships between the public and private sector is also on the increase. Remediation firms are forming partnerships with local governments as well as insurance, real estate, and financial firms, creating what may be a major new type of environmental business.
Climate Change
Sartor, Francis, Claude Demuth, Ren‚ Snacken, Denise Walckiers.
“Mortality in the Elderly and Ambient Ozone Concentration During the
Hot Summer, 1994, in Belgium,” Environmental Research 72, No. 2 (February
1997):109-117.
Extensive investigations were carried out to study the relationship between daily mortality in the elderly, outdoor air temperature, and ozone concentration observed in Belgium during the hot summer of 1994. The two environmental variables were assessed through mean daily temperature and 24-hour ozone concentration, both measured the day before and averaged over the country. This paper reports the results of the study, which confirmed the existence of a statistical association between daily mortality recorded in the elderly during the summer of 1994 and ambient ozone levels.
Karl, Thomas R., Neville Nicholls and Jonathan Gregory. “The Coming Climate.” Scientific American 276, No. 5, (May 1997): 78-83.
Climatologists have concluded that because of the greenhouse effect and other influences, the world will grow a few degrees warmer in the next century. However, simplistic predictions that scorching summers, more cyclones and heavier rainfall will therefore follow, may be far off the mark. Researchers use both meteorological records going back to the last century and also sophisticated climate models to analyze the potential coming climate trends, although their accuracy is not always exact. The new initiatives such as the Global Climate Observing System and detailed studies of various important climatic processes will help with gaining knowledge in this area, but the climate system iscomplex, and there is always the chance that surprises may occur.
Hasselman, K. “Are We Seeing Global Warming?” Science 276, no. 5316 (9 May 1997) : 914-915.
As the controversy continues over the causes of the gradual increase in global mean temperature over the last century, Hasselman examines the issues based on his own set of measurements. These include: 1) the need to predict the anthropogenic climate change signal; 2) determination of the natural climate variability noise; and 3) computing the signal-to-noise ratio and test whether the ratio exceeds a predefined statistical detection threshold. He concludes that further research on the sources of discrepancies in global warming patterns is necessary.
Sagan, Carl and Christopher Chyba. “Early Faint Sun Paradox: Organic Shielding of Ultraviolet-Labile Greenhouse Gases.” Science 276, no.5316 (23 May 1997) : 1217-1220.
The average temperature of early Earth was thought to have been near or below freezing for water. However, evidence shows that methanogens appeared on Earth’s surface about 3.8 billion years ago, which suggests a warmer planet with liquid water. This paradox is resolved by Sagan and Chyba by suggesting that ultraviolet absorption by steady-state amounts of high-attitude organic solids produced a greenhouse effect. Methane photolysis, causing an organic haze on Earth’s atmosphere, may have shielded ammonia sufficiently so that ammonia resupply rates were able to maintain temperatures on the surface above freezing.
Edwards, R. Lawrence, et al. “Protactinium-231 Dating of Carbonates by Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry: Implications for Quaternary Climate Change.” Science 276, no. 5313 (May 2, 1997) : 782-786.
Protactinium-231 (231 Pa) measurement in carbonates by thermal ionization mass spectroscopy results in 231 Pa ages which are more than 10 times more accurate than those determined by decay counting. Identical 231 Pa and thorium-230 of corals in Barbados suggests that the timing of sea level changes over portions of last glacial cycle is consistent with the predictions of the Astronomical Theory.
Fung, Inez. “A Greener North.” Nature 386, no. 6626 (April 17, 1997) : 659-660.
Satellite measurements of photosynthetic activity of terrestrial vegetation between 1981 and 1990 reveal the biological effects of seasonal climate changes in the interior of Asia and North America. These changes coincide with season cycles of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The data points to increased plant growth at northern latitudes, suggesting that a relatively small increase in global temperature may be linked to disproportionately large increases in the length of the growing season at a regional level.
Linden, Eugene. “Antarctica: Warnings From The Ice.” Time, 14 April 1997, 54-59.
Scientists are examining thick sheets of Antarctic ice which contain dust particles, molecules and properties of the ice that may provide information on thousands of years of climate change. In addition, if climate change brings about a rise in sea level, the principal cause would be the collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet (WAIS) which would result in global sea level rising nearly 20 ft., inundating low-lying cities around the world.
--Greenhouse Effect: See special issue of Ambio: A Journal of the Human Environment, Vol. XXVI, Number 1, February 1997.
Arrhenius, G. “Carbon Dioxide Warming of the Early Earth”:
12-16.
Elzinga, A., “From Arrhenius to Megascience: Interplay between Science
and Public Decisionmaking.” : 72-80.
Slingo, A. “Assessing the treatment of Radiation in Climate Models”:
52-57.
--Tropospheric Processes: See special issue of Science 276, Number 5315 (16 May 1997).
“Greenhouse Forecasting Still Cloudy”: 1040.
Kley, D. “Tropospheric Chemistry and Transport”: 1043.
Finlayson-Pitts and J.N. Pitts, Jr., “Tropospheric Air Pollution:
Ozone, Airborne Toxics, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, and Particles”:
1045.
Ravishankara, A.R. “Heterogeneous and Multiphase Chemistry in the
Troposphere”: 1058.2
Baker, M.B. “Cloud Microphysics and Climate”: 1072.
Environmental Management
Scott, Alex. “ISO 14000: Looking for Business Value,”
Chemical Week, 159, no. 13 (1997): 29-34.
U.S. chemical manufacturers are seeking practical applications of ISO 14000, the International Organization for Standardization’s environmental management standard. State and federal regulators are also getting into the act, looking to ISO 14000 to improve complex programs for issuing comprehensive environmental permits. In Europe, manufacturers are weighing several standards options for environmental management.
Sustainable Development
Earth Summit +5 Importance Seen Growing as Numerous World Leaders
Sign Up to Speak,” Bureau of National Affairs - International Environment
Reporter Current Reports, May 28, 1997: 507-508.
Leaders from almost 70 countries are expected to speak at Earth Summit +5, the follow up of 1992's Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. UN sources feel this meeting will be more influential then previously thought, since many representatives from environmental organizations and non-governmental organizations will be attending, along with numerous world leaders. The meeting is also noteworthy because it is the first major review of any U.N. Conference. A final draft agreement, which was supposed to be completed in April, is being prepared in preliminary meetings just before the summit, to be presented for endorsement when the actual meeting convenes. Issues such as financing for developing countries to achieve sustainable development, foreign direct investment, how global warming will be addressed in the final document, and encouraging businesses to develop more sustainable consumption and production methods, still need to be worked out.
Vrslovic, Daslav U. “The Forests of Tierra del Fuego: the Need to Support Sustainable Ecotourism.” World Watch 10, no. 2 (March/April 1997): 67.
In the south of the Chilean part of Tierra del Fuego are found the last intact forests of southern fagaceae. A largetimber-felling project threatens to bring an end to the pristine nature of this vast region, whose lakes, rivers, and wild forests have a great potential for development of ecotourism. It is expected that there will be an increasing conflict of commercial interests.
French, Hilary F. “When Foreign Investors Pay for Development.” World Watch 10, no. 3 (May/June 1997): 8-17.
There has been a dramatic increase in the amount of private capital flowing into the developing world. This capital is now pouring in at a rate far greater than the flow of public aid. This seems to be caused by a few different factors, including a surge in economic growth in the developing countries of Asia and Latin America, and also widespread privatization within the markets of these countries. Can environmentally sustainable economies be built with this kind of investment? The supporters of private investment as a means of advance point out that growing rates of private investment have helped pull the developing countries of Asia out of a cycle of payback of interest on old loans and into an economic growth period, which has in some cases been credited with bringing down national poverty rates. Detractors argue that these financial flows exacerbate the already huge gap between rich and poor plaguing many developing societies. There is no clear-cut solution to the problems facing developing countries, however, this author explores the possibilities.
Water Quality
Taylor, William E. and Mark Gerath “The Watershed Approach:
Is the Promise About to be Realized?, Natural Resources and the Environment
11, no.2 (Fall 1996): 16-20.
Until recently, the focus of water quality regulation and management was on controlling point source pollutant dischargers. This has resulted in improved water quality of many receiving waters due to the reduction of point source pollutants. However, water resource managers are realizing that the focus must change to a more comprehensive approach to water quality management which includes control of non-point source pollutants as well as point source discharges. Such an approach must also focus on habitat preservation and groundwater protection. Despite its complexity, watershed protection is a cost-effective way to provide higher levels of water quality.
Bowden, Matthew W. “An Overview of the National Estuary Program.” Natural Resources and Environment 11, no. 2 (Fall 1996): 35-72.
With the addition of section 320 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) in 1987, the National Estuary Program (NEP) was established and is at the forefront of EPA’s recent focus on ecosystem protection. The program identifies significant estuaries threatened by the activities of mankind and promotes management plans to protect and preserve these fragile and valuable ecosystems. The NEP also places a strong emphasis on public participation to identify an estuary’s problems and devise management strategies to solve them. This article provides an overview of the program, and discusses the functions of the program’s Management Conference and how it devises a Comprehensive Management Plan.
Weapons
Zimmermann, Tim. “Chemical Weapons Ban: Senate Skeptics Ratify
a Treat.” U.S. News and World Report, 5 May, 1997, 44.
Recently the U.S. Senate ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention, despite a vigorous campaign mounted by some treaty skeptics led by Senator Jessie Helms (R. North Carolina). The Treaty bans the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling and use of chemical warfare agents. It also contains rules for inspection of chemical plants and tracking of sales of chemicals used to manufacture poisonous gases. Skeptics charge that it will do little to curb the activities of those states who have not signed the treaty, but supporters feel it will prevent signatory nations from supplying rogue states with the materials they need to manufacture such weapons.
Horrock, Nicholas. “The New Terror Fear: Biological Weapons.” U.S. News and World Report, 12 May 1997, 36.
Based on recent events such as Iran’s use of biological agents in the Persian Gulf War and the 1995 Tokyo subway attack involving nerve gas, the U.S. is speeding up its preparations to deal with biological warfare. Nations such as Iraq, North Korea, Iran, Libya and Syria and China are involved in making biological weapons, which are cheaper and easier to produce then their nuclear or chemical counterparts, but can be just as devastating. Though some experts feel such an attack may be difficult for a terrorist to mount, it would be almost impossible to detect in theearly stages. The race is on to develop detection systems that work better and faster than currently available systems, such as the U.S. Army’s “BIDS” system, which can require 30-45 minutes to detect biological agents. Moreover, a law has recently been passed that requires the Department of Defense to assist in civil defense, as well as troop protection, in dealing with this threat.
UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
Notices regarding the following international conferences have been sent to INFOTERRA during the last few months. Notification is received through the mail and over the Internet. The list below is not comprehensive; INFOTERRA maintains a fairly large file of conference announcements. If you have any questions about the conferences listed below, or would like to consult our conferences file, please contact the INFOTERRA office (202) 566-0544 or send an email request to: library-infoterra@epamail.epa.gov
VIII Pacific Science Inter-Congress
University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji
July 13-19, 1997
The Inter-Congress will focus on islands and their development in
the 21st century, specifically emphasizing the role of science and technology
in the development of islands. Contact: Dr. Mahendra Kumar, Secretary
General VIII Pacific Science Inter-Congress, School of Pure and Applied
Sciences, The University of the South Pacific, P.O. Box1168, Suva, Fiji.
Phone/Fax: (679) 314-007 or (679) 313-900 ext. 2691; e-mail: psa@usp.ac.fj.
Coastal Zone 1997
Boston Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
July 20-26, 1997
Conference is the 10th in a series of biennial international conferences,
providing a forum to examine multidisciplinary issues facing the world's
coastal zones. Topics to be discussed include: public health, sustainable
development program and policy evaluation, partnerships and integration,
oil spills, environmental education, coastal engineering, and computer
technology. Contact: Chantal Lefebvre, Urban Harbors Institute, University
of Massachusetts-Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125, USA.
Phone: (617) 287-5576; e-mail: Lefebvre@umbsky.cc.umb.edu;
Marcuba ‘97
4th Congress on Marine Sciences
Havana International Conference Center
Havana, Cuba
September 16-20, 1997
Hosted by Cuba’s National Oceanographic Committee (CON), under the
title: “ Cooperation in Marine Sciences for a Sustainable Resource
Management,” this conference aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge
and opinions related to scientific research and technological advances
in marines sciences and services. Contact: Argelia Fernandez, Secretaria
Ejecutiva, IV Congreso de Ciencias del Mar, Calle 18-A No. 4114 e/41 y
47 Playa, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba; phone: (537) 29-6014; fax: (537)
24-9987; e-mail: argelia@cidea.unepnet.inf.cu.
NIKAN
International Conference on the Territorial Application of Sustainable
Development
Jonquiere, Quebec, Canada
September 10-14, 1997
The aim of the conference is to bring together people committed to sustainable
development. Contact: Region laboratoire du developpement durable, 350
cote du College, C.P. 101, Alma (Quebec) Canada G8B 5V6; phone: (418)
668-7533; fax: (418) 668-3466; e-mail: info@nikan.org
4th Conference on the Renewal of Environmental Education in Europe
Centre des Congres "le Manege," Chambery, France
September 18-20, 1997
Organized by ESIGEC, Universite de Savoie, France, the under-title of
the conference is: "multidisciplinary and international co-operation
in environmental education." The conference will touch on all aspects
of environmental education, including engineering, economics, modelling,
computer-aided education, European programs, etc. Contact: Herve Boileau,
AUDES (PU2) 97, ESIGEC, Universite de Savoie, Campue Technolac, 73376
Le Bourget du Lac, France. Phone: 33 (0) 479758812; fax: 33 (0) 479758772;
e-mail: Herve.Boileau@uiv-savoie.fr.
Asia-Pacific Initiative For Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency
Jakarta Convention Center, Indonesia
October 14-16, 1997
The conference objectives are to identify opportunities for renewable
and efficiency in the region and to examine models of successful projects
in Asia and world-wide. Contact: ADA Ltd, 5/F, 3 Wood Road, Wanchai, Hong
Kong; fax: 852-2574-1997; e-mail: altdev@hk.super.net;
First International Europe-American Conference on Sustainable Management
1997
University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
October 20-24, 1997
The conference topic will be environmental impacts of industrialization
and creating conditions for effective sustainable management in industrializing
countries. Contact: Mrs. Nicolette Hilarius, Conference Secretary, (no
address or phone number given); fax: 31-58-212-6928; e-mail: hilarius@cs.utwente.nl.
Lacar ‘97
7th International Conference on Lakes Conservation and Management
San Martin de los Andes, Argentina
October 27-31, 1997
The objective of the conference is to bring together concerns of scientists,
decision makers, water resources managers, and the community for sound
environmental management and conservation of freshwater resources. Contact:
Comision Organizadora Lacar ‘97, San Martin 450, piso 4, Of. 406,
(1004) Buenos Aires, Argentina; phone: (54) 1-348-8368; fax: (54) 1-348-8367;
e-mail: lacar97@sernah.gov.ar.
USEPA Office of Pesticide Programs
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/
This site contains information about pesticides and the work of EPA to ensure pesticide safety. It is possible to obtain information on ordering publications and annual reports, and also on terms and acronyms. There is a menu available on the site for finding information on the following topics: Consumer Information, Endangered Species, Protection, Environmental Stewardship, Food Quality Protection Act, International Activities, Laws, Regulations, and Policies, the Public Docket, Scientific and Regulatory Information, Students and Kids and Worker Safety.
EPA Data Bases on Actual Usage of Pesticides
http://waffle.nal.usda.gov/agdb/epadbpst.html
Quantitative data on actual usage of pesticides in the United States. Extensive files and reports on usage of pesticides in the U.S. from published, unpublished, and proprietary sources. Usage is established in terms of quantity used, units treated and expenditures by chemical, use site, geographic area, target pest, terms, etc. Availability and extent of data coverage vary greatly depending upon chemical of interest, use site, and data sources.
U. S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied
Nutrition
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/list.html
This FDA site contains pesticide information, both general and technical, as well as regulatory information such as full text of pesticide laws and guidance documents. Information about metal hazards from lead and mercury are featured as well. The site also includes a booklet that lists action levels established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for poisonous or deleterious substances in human food and animal feed.
UK’s Pesticides Safety Directorate
http://www.maff.gov.uk/aboutmaf/agency/psd/psdhome.htm
The Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) plays a major role in the approval process. The purpose of this site is to describe the work of the Directorate and the part it plays in ensuring that the benefits of pesticides can be enjoyed while safeguarding people, animals and the environment.
