LIMITS ON METHYL BROMIDE S.S.

OFFICIALS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PESTICIDE REGULATION SAY THAT NEW REGULATIONS WILL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY, REGARDING WORKER?S EXPOSURE TO THE FUMIGANT METHYL BROMIDE. THE NEW RULES RESTRICT THE AMOUNT OF TIME BOTH WORKERS WHO APPLY METHYL BROMIDE (AND THOSE WHO SUPERVISE ITS APPLICATION) ARE EXPOSED TO THE FUMIGANT. IN THE PAST, THE DEPARTMENT OF PESTICIDE REGULATION HAD ADOPTED REGULATIONS AIMED AT LIMITING WORKERS' EXPOSURE TO THE PESTICIDE DURING 24-HOUR PERIODS. THE NEW RULES LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF METHYL BROMIDE IN THE AIR A WORKER IS EXPOSED TO OVER A 30-DAY PERIOD. METHYL BROMIDE IS A PESTICIDE WIDELY USED ON STRAWBERRY FIELDS. IT IS INJECTED, OR APPLIED TO SOIL, IN ORDER TO RID THE FIELD OF WEEDS AND PESTS BEFORE PLANTING.