PESTICIDE EXEMPTIONS IN DPR AIR QUALITY PLAN SPUR CONTROVERSY

Industry groups are urging the pesticides department to exempt some fumigants from an upcoming regulation cutting pesticide emissions, asserting their potential to pollute is minimal. But activists have long argued fumigants emit ozone-forming emissions, and predict any exemptions would fail to meet stringent U.S. EPA standards. The Department of Pesticide Regulation's rulemaking is seen as key to meeting state and federal air quality goals, and may require manufacturers and growers to significantly alter the use and formulation of pesticides. DPR...