Pesticide Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
July 18, 2008, 9:30 a.m.
Guyer Conference Room, Geagley Laboratory

Present:  Jim Johnson, Antonio Castro-Escobar, Roger Wabeke, Russell Ives, Gary King, Martha Stanbury, Brian Verhougstraete, Bob Pigg, Carolyn Randall

The group discussed repopulating the committee and went through a list of positions and current appointments. Bob Pigg will be facilitating the meetings from now on.

Pesticide Surveillance Update
Discussion of the differing levels of definite, probable, possible, and suspicious case classifications. These definitions will be e-mailed to committee members.

Cholinesterase level from labs – lots of requests. Want to have a presentation of findings made at next PAC meeting.  A presentation made by Ken Rosenman from MSU will be scheduled.

MSUE Pesticide Education Update
Carolyn reviewed her written report with the Committee.  The group discussed responsibility for non-English speaking workers understanding of label requirements. The group also discussed adding links to the MDA web site with the MSU PSEP web site. Bob will look into this.

Enforcement Report

• Flex Schedule - Made it clear that program coverage will be assured.
• Pesticide Alliance tour for EPA will occur in late July. Looking at minor use crop pesticide use.
• Gary King and Ken Rauscher are working with the DEQ to resolve issues with DEQ allowing the use of non-label rates of pesticides on aquatic application permits.
• Pesticide Regulatory Education Program (PREP) – Bulk storage and secondary containment training in Grand Rapids.
• Pesticide Use Investigations – The group went through the written report.
• Rule 637 is in effect.  Will begin to see new signs posted.  Staff will be doing education outreach to assure proper posting.
• Gypsy moth populations are up. MDA will probably have a suppression program in 2009.
• Gary King will follow up with Roger's question regarding oak disease(s).

Registration Update
Committee went through the written Pesticide Registration Summary.

Ag Pesticide Dealer Licensing
Bill 682 signed in February 2008.  Any store that sells a pesticide that has worker protection standard in the State of Michigan must register as a pesticide dealer. Out of state companies must have a resident agent and must report Michigan sales to the manufacturer in order to get the groundwater fees paid.

Spray Aerosol Dispensing of Quaternary Amines
The group discussed misuse related to quaternary amines by fogging, atomizing causing respiratory issues.  Works fine as a liquid wiped on surfaces.  The committee discussed a ban or serious restrictions of quaternary amines via fogging, misting, or atomizing the material.  Roger will provide the committee with research on the issue, and a recommendation will be discussed at the next PAC meeting in October. Brian Verhougstraete will look into how much benzalkonium chloride is sold in Michigan, along with related quaternary amines compounds if possible.

Next Meeting
The next PAC meeting will be held on Friday, October 17th, at 9:30 am at the MDA Geagley Lab.