EPA News Release (HQ): EPA Approves Two Insecticides for Control of Invasive Stink Bug

CONTACT
Dale Kemery (News Media Only)
kemery.dale@epa.gov
202-564-7839
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2011

EPA Approves Two Insecticides for Control of Invasive Stink Bug

WASHINGTON – On June 24, 2011, EPA approved, for emergency use, the insecticide dinotefuran (trade names Venom and Scorpion) on tree fruit to help manage populations of the brown marmorated stink bug, an invasive insect that has caused extensive yield losses in tree fruit production in the mid-Atlantic region. The approval, known as an emergency exemption, applies to Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina and New Jersey. Under the exemption, producers of stone fruit (such as peaches, plums and cherries) and pome fruit (including apples and pears) are allowed to manage the brown marmorated stink bug with two applications of dinotefuran by ground equipment per season.

“EPA is very concerned about the impact of stink bugs on agricultural production and will continue to monitor the problem and provide growers safe and effective tools to help manage this pest,” said Steve Owens, assistant administrator of EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. "We are committed to continuing to work closely with the agricultural community to address this very serious problem."

Under the emergency exemption provision of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, states can petition EPA for the use of an unregistered pesticide on a temporary basis if it will help alleviate an emergency pest problem. Before approval, EPA must be able to support the use from a health and safety standpoint. EPA has assessed the risks of the exemption involving dinotefuran and has made a safety finding for the use. Dinotefuran is already approved for use on leafy vegetables.

Also, on June 21, 2011 EPA approved an additional use for an insecticide that may help manage stink bugs in organic production systems. The new product contains azadirachtin and pyrethrins, which are derived from botanical ingredients. This product is now approved for use on many crops where stink bug management is needed, and it can be used by organic farmers.

EPA continues to work with Congress, USDA, lead state agencies, various federal research agencies, universities, private companies and growers, in an effort to develop a sustainable pest-management tool box to manage brown marmorated stink bugs.

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides

More information about EPA’s work with the agriculture community: http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/
 

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News Brief (HQ): EPA Tips to Be Cool and Safe this Summer / Limit the heat and the sun, but not the fun

CONTACT:
Stacy Kika
kika.stacy@epa.gov
202-564-0906
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2011


EPA Tips to Be Cool and Safe this Summer

Limit the heat and the sun, but not the fun

WASHINGTON – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing tips to protect people from the dangers of overexposure to the sun and heat while still enjoying summer activities. Excessive heat and ultraviolet (UV) radiation are dangerous to people’s health. Each year, more people on average die in the U.S. from heat waves than from any other natural disaster. And every hour, one American dies from skin cancer, which is the most common cancer in the U.S.

During the summer months, days are longer and more people are outside for longer periods of time, increasing the health risks from heat exhaustion and overexposure to the sun. Cities and suburbs are particularly vulnerable to higher temperatures during the summer. Many cities and suburbs have air temperatures that can be up to 22 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the surrounding countryside. Buildings and roads intensify heat and UV dangers as they absorb the sun’s rays and radiate the heat back throughout the day and night, known as the heat island effect. Heat islands can intensify heat waves. To help reduce the heat island effect, plant trees, shrubs, and vines, which create shade and protect people from UV radiation. 

To avoid heat exhaustion and overexposure to the sun, follow these steps to stay cool and safe this summer:

1. Stay hydrated.
2. Wear lightweight clothing. To keep your body temperature down and stay protected from UV radiation, wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing.
3. Apply sunscreen. Approximately 30 minutes before heading outside, apply SPF 15 or higher sunscreen, and reapply every two hours.
4. Protect your eyes and face. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes from sun damage and the development of cataracts.
5. Seek shade. Find shade during the sun’s peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to reduce the risk of too much sun exposure
6. Teach sun and heat safety. Keep an eye on others, particularly the elderly, remind them to be safe in the sun and the heat. Watch for signs of heat illnesses, which can include hot and dry skin, confusion, hallucinations, and aggression.
7. Check the UV Index. When planning outdoor activities check the UV Index to identify the times that pose the greatest risk for overexposure to the sun.
8. Check the Air Quality Index. On hot summer days, ozone levels can rise making the air unhealthy to breathe so be sure to check the air quality index before heading outside.

More information on how to reduce the heat island effect: http://www.epa.gov/heatisland/

More information on extreme heat events: http://www.epa.gov/naturalevents/extremeheat.html

More information on sun safety tips: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise.

Check the UV index: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html

Check the Air Quality Index: http://www.airnow.gov/

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Grants News Release (Region 2): Million Dollar EPA Grant Powers Green Locomotive in Upstate New York

 

Million Dollar EPA Grant Powers Green Locomotive in Upstate New York

 

 

Contact: Elias Rodriguez, (732) 672-5520 or (212) 637-3664, rodriguez.elias@epa.gov

 

(New York, N.Y. – June 30, 2011) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today unveiled upstate New York’s first ultra-low emission locomotive at a railroad yard in Selkirk, N.Y. The cleaner energy locomotive was made possible by an EPA award of more than $1 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the New York State Department of Transportation. New York State DOT and the CSX Transportation used the funding to replace the old polluting conventional engine on the locomotive with three smaller, cleaner engines. Locomotives are a source of pollutants in the outdoor air, including asthma triggers such as fine particles (soot) and ozone (smog).  The new engines will reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide and particulate matter from the locomotive by 80 percent using technologies that monitor engine idling and switch to “sleep” mode after a period of inactivity.

 

“Trains produce diesel pollution that is linked to asthma, decreased lung function, and heart attacks,” said Judith A. Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. “Using ARRA dollars, EPA was able to help CSX replace an old polluting train engine with cleaner and more efficient replacement engines, which helped preserve 12 jobs. This ARRA money has resulted in cleaner air for residents and workers in the Capital District.” 

 

“Projects like this will literally help re‑power the Empire State.  This new locomotive — with three smaller engines that cycle on-and-off according to need — will reduce emissions and save diesel fuel as goods are moved efficiently across the state.  This innovative technology is an example of Governor Cuomo’s goal of creating a new green economy with livable communities, new jobs and sustainable growth,” said New York State DOT Executive Deputy Commissioner Stanley Gee.

 

Locomotive engines have traditionally been significant contributors to air pollution. EPA has set new standards that will cut fine particle pollution from these and other heavy duty engines by 90 percent and smog-forming nitrogen oxides by 80 percent. EPA estimates that the health benefits of this rule outweigh the costs by 15 to 1. Locomotive engines being produced today must meet new emission requirements set by EPA. However, because locomotive engines are very durable and are often in service for many decades, they continue to emit large amounts of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Projects to replace these older polluting engines with cleaner ones are a key part of EPA’s national strategy to cut diesel pollution. The total project cost was $1,450,000.  EPA provided about $1 million of the funding, with the remainder being provided by CSX, the owner of the locomotive. 

 

When ozone levels increase, most commonly in the summer months, they affect people’s health, especially people with asthma. Ozone can irritate the respiratory system, causing coughing, throat irritation, and aggravating asthma. When ozone levels are high, more people with asthma have attacks that require a doctor’s attention or use of medication. Ozone makes people more sensitive to allergens such as pets, pollen, and dust mites, which are common triggers of asthma attacks and lead to increased hospital admissions and emergency room visits. Fine particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and pose serious health risks, including aggravating the symptoms of asthma and other respiratory problems in healthy individuals.

 

To learn more about this announcement, visit: http://www.epa.gov/recovery

Ghttp://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel.

 

Use this new asthma tool developed by the NYS Department of Health:  http://www.health.state.ny.us/publications/4990/asthma_triggers_tracking.pdf

 

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/eparegion2.

 

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EPA News Release (Region 3): EPA Offers Energy Tips on Summer Cooling to Save Money, Reduce Air Pollution

Contact: Bonnie Smith, smith.bonnie@epa.gov, 215-814-5543

EPA Offers Energy Tips on Summer Cooling to Save Money, Reduce Air Pollution

PHILADELPHIA (June 30, 2011) – The summer heat is here.  To help you and your family stay cool, comfortable and save energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program suggests a few simple steps.

The average American home spends almost 20 percent of its utility bill on cooling. Increased energy production to run cooling systems raises your costs and contributes to pollution that adversely affects the quality of the air we breathe. Here are seven simple ways to help protect your wallet and the environment:

· Use Ceiling Fans Optimally. Run your ceiling fan to create a cool breeze. If you raise your thermostat by only two degrees and use your ceiling fan, you can lower cooling costs by up to 14 percent. Remember that ceiling fans cool you, not the room, so when you leave the room make sure to turn off the fan.
· Maximize Shade. Pull the curtains and shades closed before you leave your home to keep the sun’s rays from overheating the interior of your home. If you can, move container trees and plants in front of sun-exposed windows to serve as shade.
· Find the Best Thermostat Settings. If you have a programmable thermostat, program it to work around your family’s summer schedule—set it a few degrees higher (such as 78 degrees) when no one is home, so you are not cooling an empty house.
· Reduce Oven Time. Use a microwave or grill outside instead of oven cooking, when you can. Ovens take longer to cook food and can make your house warmer, requiring your air conditioning system to work harder to keep the house at a comfortable temperature.
· Check Air Conditioner Filters. Check your cooling system’s air filter every month. If the filter looks dirty, change it. A good rule is to change the filter at least every three months. A dirty filter will slow air flow and make the system work harder to keep you cool—wasting energy. Also, remember to have your system serviced annually to ensure it’s running at optimum efficiency for money and energy savings.
· Change to More Efficient Light Bulbs. Change out incandescent light bulbs with more energy-efficient lighting choices. Energy Star qualified lighting uses less energy and also produces approximately 75 percent less heat than incandescent lighting.
· Plug Duct System Leaks. As much as 20 percent of the air moving through your home’s duct system is lost due to leaks and poor connections. Seal duct work using mastic sealant or metal tape and insulate all the ducts that you can access (such as those in attics, crawlspaces, unfinished basements, and garages). Also, make sure that connections at vents and registers are well-sealed where they meet floors, walls, and ceilings. These are common locations to find leaks and disconnected ductwork.  

Energy Star was started by EPA in 1992 as a market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the Energy Star label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products, as well as new homes and commercial and industrial buildings that meet strict energy-efficient specifications set by the EPA. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved approximately $18 billion on their energy bills while preventing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the annual emission of 33 million vehicles.

More information on ways to cut energy costs this summer: http://www.energystar.gov/cooltips

More information on being more energy-efficient and protecting the environment in your area through “Energy Stars Across America”: http://www.energystar.gov/starsmap

For EPA Energy Star contacts in the EPA’s mid-Atlantic region visit: http://www.epa.gov/reg3artd/globclimate/cleanenergy.htm

 

 

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