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Archive for September, 2008
Tobacco firm on Kauai fined for pesticide use
Sep 29th
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently fined Vector Tobacco Inc. $65,040 for allegedly misusing pesticides and failing to comply with federal pesticide worker safety laws. Vector Tobacco, a subsidiary of Vector Tobacco Group of Durham, NC, allegedly misused six pesticides during their application at its agricultural research facility in Kekaha, Kauai, in 2005 and 2006. And on 93 occasions, Vector Tobacco failed to follow label directions intended to protect workers from exposure to pesticides, in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.
“Employers of agricultural workers must ensure their employees are provided with information and protections that minimize the risk of potential exposure to pesticides,” said Katherine Taylor, Associate Director of the EPA’s Communities and Ecosystems Division for the Pacific Southwest region. “Failure to provide these necessary safeguards is considered a serious violation.”
The six pesticides were Terramaster 4EC, Nemacur 3, Lorsban 4E, Prowl 3.3EC, Devrinol 50DF, and Ridomil Gold EC.
During the pesticide applications in 2005 and 2006, Vector Tobacco failed to provide its workers and pesticide handlers with required protective equipment, pesticide information, decontamination supplies, safety training, and notification that pesticides had been applied. These safeguards are required by the federal Worker Protection Standard, which aims to reduce the risk of pesticide injuries to agricultural workers.
Vector Tobacco also failed to prevent workers from entering areas where pesticides had recently been applied, and subsequently denied them prompt transportation to a medical facility after these workers reported averse health effects due to the pesticide exposure.
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture discovered the violations during inspections performed in March and June of 2006. Worker complaints triggered the initial investigation. Since the inspections, Vector Tobacco has shut down the Kekaha facility.
Before selling or distributing any pesticide in the United States, companies must register the pesticide with the EPA and include on the pesticide labeling directions for use and other information necessary to protect human health and the environment. Federal law requires that agricultural employers comply with these labeling directions during pesticide applications to protect their workers from occupational exposure.
For more information on pesticide enforcement and the Worker Protection Standard, please visit the EPA’s Web sites:
Korean Zither Musicians perform Oct. 4
Sep 22nd
The University of Hawaii at Manoa Music Department and Outreach College present A Night with the Korean Zither Musicians’ Association on Saturday, October 4 at 7:30pm in the UH-Manoa Orvis Auditorium. The program is sponsored in part by the Korean Arts Council.
Often described as expressive, subtle, with a tone like the human voice, the kayagum (or gayageum) is the national instrument of Korea. A 12-stringed zither which is played on the floor, the kayagum is related to the Chinese zheng, Japanese koto, Mongolian yatga, and Vietnamese dan tranh, but distinct from other zithers in the region because of a separate piece of hardwood at the base shaped like ram`s horns. This performance by masters of the Korean zither showcases the range and beauty of the instrument in traditional and new compositions.
The Korean Zither Musicians’ Association is comprised of 50 performers (20 will be coming to Hawai’i) who are teaching at major Korean universities — Seoul National University, Hanyang University, Busan National University, and others. The group was established in 1993 to promote Korean zither music and to foster exchange with zither artists from other Asian traditions, such as the Chinese zheng and chin, Japanese koto, Mongolian yatak, and Vietnamese dan tranh. The Association holds an annual concert in Seoul and has toured widely, from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to Ulan Bator, Mongolia, and to cities in the UK, US, Canada, China, and Southeast Asia.
Tickets are $5 to $15 in advance, $10 to $20 at-the-door. To purchase, visit www.etickethawaii.com, call 483-7123 to charge by phone (Aloha Stadium box office, M-F 9am-5pm), or visit any UH Ticket outlet (Rainbowtique stores, Stan Sheriff Center, UH Manoa Campus Center ticket office, Windward Community College OCET office); service charges apply. Advance sales end 4 hours and 30 minutes before the performance. At the door, sales begin 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to the performance. For more information call 956-8246 or visit:
Noni company opens Maui lab
Sep 16th
Noni Biotech International (dba Noni Maui®) this week announced the opening of a 3,600-square-foot headquarters and biotech laboratory in Haiku, Maui. The company says the lab is one of the most sophisticated high tech labs in the state, designed to analyze and manufacture organic anti cancer compounds recently discovered in Hawaiian Noni Juice at Louisiana State University’s Medical Research Center.
Paul Nordone has joined the company as Director of Research and Development and brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience as a Senior Associate Scientist at Amgen in the Department of Toxicology. Nordone’s arrival is a major milestone for the progress and growth of analyzing and identifying existing and newly discovered plant compounds.
In addition to his research, Dr. Brian Issell, Oncology Director of the University of Hawaii Cancer Research Center, has been using Noni Maui® capsules for his federally approved and NIH funded human Noni research.
Noni Maui® is recognized by the state as an official QHTB (Qualified High Tech Business) in Haiku. Other primary members of the team include President David Backstrom and Marie-Laure Ankaoua, Chief Operating Officer & VP.
EPA fines company for Kauai pesticides
Sep 9th
HONOLULU – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced a settlement with Syngenta Seeds, Inc., for $17,550 in fines for alleged violations of federal pesticide regulations. The Hawaii violations are part of a larger action totaling of over $284,000 in penalties.
The settlement is part of three separate administrative complaints totaling $284,050 in civil penalties with Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc., and Syngenta Seeds, Inc., for violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. EPA Region 4 in Atlanta consolidated the violations throughout the United States to emphasize the need for quality control in all aspects of pesticide production and distribution.
The EPA found alleged pesticide worker protection violations by Syngenta Seeds, Inc., in Kekaha, Kauai. These violations include failing to store all personal protective equipment separately from clothing and apart from pesticide-contaminated areas, and failing to post the spraying of the pesticide Liberty at its Central Notification Site.
Syngenta Seeds, Inc. also settled alleged violations including use of a pesticide contrary to a provision of an Experimental Use Permit (EUP) issued by EPA. EPA alleged that the company had not obtained a State permit or license from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico prior to the shipment and/or use of a corn that was the subject of the EUP.
The other settlements include:
- Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc. agreed to pay a penalty of $196,300 for alleged violations involving two products. The settlement agreement resolved alleged violation of distributing Mesotrione Wet Paste with ingredients that differed in composition from the formula submitted to the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Mesotrione Wet Paste is produced in Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc’s Bucks, AL facility. The settlement agreement also resolved alleged advertising violations of the pesticide Lumax Selective Herbicide because television commercials aired in the Midwest did not include the classification that it was a restricted-use pesticide.
- Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc. self-disclosed additional violations under EPA’s Audit Policy regarding written advertisements for restricted use pesticides and paid a penalty of $70,200.
FIFRA regulates the sale, distribution, and use of pesticides within the United States. Importers, distributors, and retailers, are required by federal law to ensure that any pesticides they distribute have been registered with EPA and comply with FIFRA.
For more information on pesticide regulation and enforcement, please visit: http://epa.gov/compliance/civil/fifra.
Gov. Lingle urges hurricane preparedness
Sep 2nd
As the nation prepares for Hurricanes Gustav and Hanna to make landfall in the Gulf Coast states in the coming days, Governor Linda Lingle said this situation reminds Hawai‘i residents of the need to be prepared here at home since we are in the middle of Hurricane season.
“As our fellow Americans prepare for Hurricanes Gustav and Hanna in the Gulf Coast, we are reminded of the real threat that hurricanes pose to Hawaii,” said Governor Lingle. “Now is the time for all of us in Hawaii to prepare for a potential hurricane. The most important actions every family can take now include developing a family disaster plan, learning where your nearest shelters are located, preparing an emergency supply kit with provisions for at least seven days, and staying aware of current weather conditions. Hurricane preparedness is a responsibility we all share. By being prepared, you will ensure your family is safe when a hurricane hits Hawaii.”
An emergency supply kit should include food, water, medicine, clothing, blankets, batteries, flashlights, radio, and other necessities your family will need. If you have pets, remember to include emergency supplies for them as well.
Governor Lingle and Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr., who are in St. Paul, Minnesota for the Republican National Convention, are closely monitoring the paths of the Gulf Coast hurricanes. Governor Lingle has been in close contact with Hawaii Adjutant General Robert Lee, director of State Civil Defense, on any potential relief effort role Hawaii might provide should the need arise.
“Our prayers are for the safety of our fellow Americans in the Gulf Coast states as they prepare for Hurricanes Gustav and Hanna, and our condolences go out to those who have lost family and friends, as well as their homes in island nations in the Caribbean from the devastation of Gustav,” said Governor Lingle.
Hurricane season began in June and runs through November. Additional information about hurricane and emergency preparedness is available on the Governor’s Web site and the State Civil Defense Web site.
