INDUSTRY NEWS
Task Force Reports on MSMA Negotiations (recent update from GCSAA)
The
MAA Research Task Force reports that it is having productive discussions with EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs on continuation of the registration of organic arsenical herbicides, especially MSMA. The monosodium salt of methanearsonic acid (MAA), MSMA is an herbicide used for grass weed control in bermudagrass and zoysiagrass, as well as in some cool-season turfgrasses. According to the task force, MSMA is expected to be available at least for the next several years (and perhaps considerably longer). Current discussions with EPA are focused on the issuance of a time-limited registration, with the idea of a science review at the end of the negotiated period. This approach recognizes data indicating that inorganic arsenic is a threshold carcinogen, which means that exposure to low doses of arsenic should be of no health concern. A change in EPA’s science conclusion would eliminate concerns regarding the possible transformation of organic arsenic to inorganic arsenic in the soil and enable the agency to permit the continued availability of these herbicides. There is no discussion of a phase-out or cancellation of MSMA, according to the task force. However, EPA has invited discussion on several additional mitigation measures to further reduce the exposure to inorganic arsenic possibly resulting from the use of MSMA. The mitigation measures are targeted mainly at surface water. Discussions have commenced regarding EPA’s initial suggested mitigation measures, and those discussions are expected to continue for the next several weeks or months. The task force is consulting with GCSAA and other user groups with regard to the applicability of the proposed mitigation measures.
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008
“We applaud the task force, the EPA and user groups for working together to resolve issues related to the labeling and use of MSMA,” said Clark Throssell, Ph.D., GCSAA’s director of research. “By working together, these parties are helping golf course superintendents retain an important tool in providing customers the playing conditions they demand while at the same time ensuring golf’s compatibility with the natural environment.” Members of the task force include Drexel Chemical Co. (APC Holdings), KMG-Bernuth Inc. and Luxembourg-Pamol Inc. These companies are global providers of products to the turf care and agricultural industries. For more information, please visit the task force website at http://www.maatf.com/index.html.
Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com