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Medical copays reduce health care access in MS prisons; Israel planted explosives in pagers sold to Hezbollah according to official sources; Serving looks with books: Libraries fight 'fast fashion' by lending clothes; Menhaden decline threatens Virginia's ecosystem, fisheries.

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JD Vance calls for toning down political rhetoric, while calls for his resignation grow because of his own comments. The Secret Service again faces intense criticism, and a right to IVF is again voted down in the US Senate.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Pesticide’s Slow Phase-Out Puts WA Workers at Risk

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Monday, February 25, 2008   

Seattle, WA – A pesticide derived from nerve gas can still be used in Washington orchards for a few more years, despite federal acknowledgment that it is dangerous to workers, children and fish. The environmental law firm Earthjustice is challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) gradual phase-out plan for azinphos-methyl, commonly known as AZM or guthion. Earthjustice attorney Patti Goldman says in 2001, the EPA determined that AZM posed "unacceptable risks" to farm workers -- but then gave in to industry pressure to keep it in use.

"It allowed six more years on the view that, 'Oh, it will take the growers some time to shift to these alternatives,' and the chemical companies threatened to sue them if they didn't agree to that lengthy period of time. Our argument is, those aren't good enough reasons, when the risks are as severe as they are from this pesticide. We've asked for the court to order EPA to make a new decision on how long the phase-out should be, based on objective evidence, rather than just trying to make a deal with the chemical companies."

Washington uses more AZM than any other state, according to Goldman. The current, six-year phase-out began about a year ago. Growers agree that there are alternative pest control methods, but say they cost more. The State of Washington has acknowledged the danger; it requires blood test monitoring of farm workers who are most heavily exposed to the toxic chemical.

Western District Court Judge Ricardo Martinez' ruling is expected this spring. He's being asked to give the EPA 90 days to come up with a new plan.





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