EPA DENIES DURSBAN EXTENSION
by Sarah Morgan

The US Environmental Protection Agency has denied the extension of a phase out of the pesticide Dursban, or chlorpyrifos, one week after headlines proclaimed that a three-year extension was in the works, the Washington Post reported.

In 2000, the EPA planned a four-year phase out to end the use of the chemical in homes, where it is commonly applied to treat or pre-treat homes against termite infestations. The EPA has declared Dursban unsafe for children, and medical studies have shown the chemical is associated with neurological disorders and birth defects, according to Beyond Pesticides, a nonprofit coalition against the use of pesticides.

However, the Post reported that Dow "contends that children are protected from exposure to the pesticide by the layers of plastic and concrete that cover the ground beneath a new home."

On Dec 20, the Post reported that the EPA was considering an extension of the deadline that would allow Dow Chemical, the maker of Dursban, to continue using the chemical in new homes for an additional three years. The EPA’s decision was to be based on new information from Dow showing that the chemical was within federal limits for that particular use.

Though the EPA denied Dow’s request, and Dursban can no longer legally be used in the construction of new homes, the chemical is still frequently used to treat crops and golf courses, and is used against mosquitoes, the Post reported. These uses will not be affected by the EPA phase out.

REPORT: ANTIBACTERIAL INGREDIENT POTENTIALLY TOXIC
by Sarah Morgan

Those antibacterial soaps and cleaners that have gained in popularity of late may do more harm than good, according to a report released by Beyond Pesticides, a nonprofit coalition against the use of pesticides.

The chemical, triclosan, which is used in antibacterial products from soaps to toothpastes, "has been repeatedly shown to cause health and environmental effects while compounding antibiotic resistance," according to the report.

The report found that triclosan is used in hundreds of everyday products, including nearly half of all commercial soaps. The report also cites studies that found triclosan in the human body, including traces in human breast milk in three out of five women.

Further, triclosan is frequently detected in rivers, streams, and other bodies of water, the report states. Triclosan is toxic to a number of different types of algae, and therefore the study cites concerns regarding the destructive effects of the chemical on aquatic ecosystems.

Instead of fighting bacteria, the report states that the chemical actually promotes the emergence of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. For the full report, visit:
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/pesticides/factsheets/Triclosan%20cited.pdf

URBAN HARVEST ANNUAL FRUIT TREE SALE

Urban Harvest’s gigantic annual fruit tree sale includes a wide variety of outstanding fruit and nut tree varieties perfect for metro-Houston, including oranges, lemons, grapefruit, tangerines, satsumas, limes, kumquats, peaches, nectarines, plums, apples, pears, persimmons, pomegranates, figs, grapes, blackberries, and pecans. This year’s sale will be at 1900 Kane at Silver, on January 15, from 8 am to 2 pm. An abundance of fruit trees will be available to ensure that you get your favorites. Experts will be on hand to help with selection. Heidi Sheesley of Treesearch Farms will give a fruit tree talk at 8 am, describing all the fruit for sale, and will be available to answer questions. For more information and for a description of the varieties available for sale visit the Urban Harvest web site at http://www.urbanharvest.org.

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON VOLUNTEER FAIR

The Metropolitan Volunteer Program is coordinating the Revolution of Heroes Volunteer Fair, an informational fair being held at the University of Houston to provide students with a chance to explore as many service initiatives as possible. The fair will be in the University Center arbor on Wednesday, Feb 2 from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, but tables are limited and are awarded on a first come, first serve basis. Registration is free, but reservations need to be made in advance. For more information, contact Emily Langdon with the Metropolitan Volunteer at (713) 743-5200. The Metropolitan Volunteer Program will also be sponsoring a volunteer fair in April with an emphasis on summer camps and other summer volunteer opportunities.

WHITE OAK BAYOU TRAIL UNDERPASSES CLEANED

Volunteers from the White Oak Bayou Association recently cleaned three White Bayou Trail street underpasses. The group's bikeway committee removed built-up flood debris and glass from under TC Jester north of 11th, at 18th St. and TC Jester north of 34th. With the help of trail users who stopped to pitch in, the effort burned off extra holiday calories, spread goodwill, and should result in a more positive, safer trail experience for area walkers, runners, skaters, and cyclists. It is hoped that this volunteer effort will allow city crews to focus on a clean up of the Loop 610 trail underpass.

KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL LAUNCHES CLEAN SWEEP USA

With a grant from the US Department of Education, Keep America Beautiful has launched Clean Sweep USA, a web site designed to provide students, teachers and families with information about real-world issues concerning waste. The web site, located at http://www.kab.org/cleansweepusa, contains resources related to garbage, source reduction, composting, recycling, waste-to-energy, and landfills. This program is targeted to reach youth in grades 7 through 9. The online modules correlate with national educational standards and provide education concerning how individuals can manage waste to reduce its impact on the environment. To see what else Keep Houston Beautiful, the regional branch of Keep America Beautiful, has planned for the new year, visit http://www.houstonbeautiful.org.

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