How do you learn about pesticides and how pesticides influence water quality? Many local water agencies will have information relating to local water testing results and will be able to provide information and brochures relating to toxic chemicals. Surprisingly, a number of local agencies are listed in the “impaired” category by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) . For example, in California, at least 85 water bodies are listed in this impaired category.
What Type of Pesticides are Found in Local Water Sources?
Two types of pesticides that are very commonly used in residential areas are called chlorpyrifos (Dursban) and diazinon. These two pesticides often occur in local storm water runoffs. Unfortunately, their levels of concentration are not diminished by passing through local water treatment plants. Often the concentrations of these chemicals is high enough to effect fundamental organisms at the base of the food chain.
Has the EPA been Able Reduce Pesticide Use?
In the year 2000, The EPA announced an agreement, with some pesticide manufacturers, that significantly reduced most products containing chlorpyrifos (Dursban) from sale to retail customers and most commercial uses of the chemical overall. The EPA had discovered through research that chlorpyrifos was potentially more harmful to infants, children and women.
What Pesticides are in Our Environment Causing Problems?
Organophosphates are called “broad-spectrum pesticides”, and can compromise the nervous systems of many organisms. They are used to kill a wide variety of pests and insects, including: ants, flees, aphids, spiders, and wasps. They can be also highly toxic to honeybees and birds, and other insects and mammals. Some researchers have found that pesticide residues can be detected on a number of foods purchased at grocery stores.
How are Pesticides Introduced into Our Environment?
Many pesticides are introduced into our ground water and environment by the continued use of these chemicals by residents and home gardeners as well as by pest control professionals. They are applied around home structures, in schools and businesses as well. Many problems with these pesticides can be traced back to the application, in excess, of these chemicals in urban settings. Many of the excess concentrations of these chemicals take place because of the sheer volume of use and the inadvertent release into the local environment.
What Disposal Methods Should Be Use for Chlorpyrifos or Diazinon Around Your Home or Business?
If you discover leftover and unwanted chemicals in your home, do not pour them down any drain, gutter or around your residence. Also please do not dispose of these chemicals in the trash. Instead please find the location of a nearby hazardous waste facility, and take them to that location. For a reference on these locations, you can telephone 1-800-CLEANUP.ORG.
What are the Proper Practices to Improve the Health of Our Rivers, Creeks, Streams and Bays?
Attempt to implement alternative strategies for your garden and try control methods that do not involve the use of chemicals or pesticides. This can be done by following suggestions and natural treatments such as those found in the publication, Our Water, One World fact sheets. Controlling pests can be accomplished in a variety of ways. This can be accomplished by introducing pest predators into the environment. Oils, soaps and other biological controls can be applied as well. Often some alternative pesticides are available.
Investigate the Use of Harmful Chemicals and Pesticides
If you are responsible for a home garden, lawn and other plants in the environment, take a look at how the use of pesticides. These pesticides influence water quality. Read up on alternative methods for pest control and learn how to minimize the use of chemical pesticides for this purpose. Check with your local water agency and find out what testing, if any, has been done on your local water sources. If these tests reveal high residues, get involved in your local community and suggest programs that might mitigate and reduce these chemical concentrations.
Federal Government Defines Concentrations & Exposure Levels of Pesticides
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires that the EPA establish Maximum Contaminate Levels (MCL) to insure that human health is protected. MCL is the highest level of concentration that is allowed in public water supplies. The MCL makes certain assumptions: that a person lives 70 years, weighs 70 kilograms, and drinks up to two contaminated quarts of water each day. MCL’s are subject to change, but are legally enforceable limits which must not be exceeded.
Do You Know about the Concentrations of Pesticides and How These Pesticides Influence Your Water Quality?
At present, public water utilities are required by the SWDA to measure levels of contaminates in the water. They are required to collect at least four samples of tap water for analysis of any possible contamination. If the annual average contamination of these collected samples exceeds the MCL , consumers must be notified. If these levels are excessive, the water utility must mitigate the problem by providing an alternate water source, or blend the current water source with clean water from a non-contaminated source.
Acceptable Water Sources and EPA Water Guidelines
Pesticides influence water quality because contamination of water sources by these agents is measured in parts per billion (ppb). Working to insure that the proper levels are addressed is the State Management Plan, which is overseen by the EPA. It defines the responsibilities of State agencies with regard to these standards.
How Many Types of Pesticides are in the Marketplace?
More than 50,000 pesticides have been registered with the US government since the FIFRA was enacted in the 1947. This act was amended in 1988 and required that all pesticides in use before 1984 would be subject to evaluation by the EPA. This act made it necessary to re-evaluate 1150 active ingredients in 45,000 formulations of products. The active ingredients were assigned into 612 chemical groups. These were further subdivided into groups called A,B,C and D based on the negative effects that these agents would have on food, water and human health.