Anonymous public comment

Docket ID: EPA HQ-OPP-2009-0635 Federal register Dec. 23 2009, Page 68215-68223 Lucas Hart, Washington State I am writing to urge you to implement rules that require all active and inert pesticide ingredients to be publicly disclosed on all packaging. Nearly 4000 inert ingredients are currently used in pesticide products. These chemicals are routinely applied to our food, near our water supplies and within and around our homes. Citizens have a right to know exactly which chemicals they are being exposed to. In my area of Washington State pesticide application is a routine practice by timber companies. Although buffers are required around waterways, pesticide chemicals are often found in streams and rivers. Citizens have no way of knowing exactly what chemicals have been applied due to the lack of mandatory chemical content listings for these pesticides. We only know the “active” ingredients that have been applied. The scientific community is now very aware that “inert” ingredients are not “inert.” When tested alone inert ingredients may or may not be dangerous, however, synergistic effects among several chemicals, whether inert or active, are now known to have negative health and environmental effects. A recent study from the University of Caen found that the inert ingredient polyethoxylated tallowamine (POEA) used in the herbicide Roundup has more deadly effects to human derived cells than the active ingredient glyphosate. It is absolutely impossible to scientifically test the lethal and sublethal effects of individual and combinations of all chemicals that are used in pesticides. At the very least, the public has a right to know exactly what chemicals are in the products they are using or may be exposed to. The fact that these chemicals are kept from the public in the name of business “trade secrets” is absolutely heartbreaking. I ask the EPA to implement rules that enforce mandatory listing of inert and active ingredients on pesticide packaging.