Waste Officials Issue Pesticide Warning

Ventura County Solid Waste Management Department officials want to educate residents about the risks of a common household pesticide determined by the federal government to be hazardous, especially to children.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banned chlorpyrifos, commonly sold under the trade name Dursban, in early June after an extensive scientific review of the pesticide’s potential health effects. Studies found that children, because they are still developing, are particularly susceptible to neurological problems when exposed to the pesticide.

All places where children could be exposed--schools, day-care centers, parks, hospitals and shopping malls--will have to stop using pesticides containing chlorpyrifos by the end of the year. The sale of products for residential use will end in December 2001.

County officials want residents to know that as they clean out their cabinets, they should not throw away or pour down the drain any products that contain Dursban. The pesticide is found in more than 800 treatments for termites, fleas and ticks as well as lawn and plant care products.

“We are here to keep hazardous items out of the waste stream,” said Terry Thomas, a waste management analyst with the county. “We also want to give residents information that less toxic materials are available.”

For information on proper disposal of pesticides or toxic chemical alternatives, call (805) 654-2889.