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Orrick QuEaSLMO CeWINENT OF EAM ‘oreo POvTAL GPO 80% 46 H pmomE (07) 24 O11 Mae men? QUEENSLAND HEALTH See CENTRAL OFFICE vaunees 7 “e" Dr GR Neville ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH BRANCH (07) 3234 1276 FAX (07) 3234 1480 frosuve letters\95GN170 Tp DEG iy pbc ]szopoc (ir) | 30 November 1995 Piby. I + 6.GRIMCER i 5S 95/359, | Mr Garth Grainger { u / 7 | acne ‘Standards and Inspection Hie ad D Queensland Department of Primary Industries ees Bote 9S Floor 4 : 80-Ann Street oa BRISBANE Q 4000 cys 4 YO) i re oe r Dear Mr Grainger oO? re ETHYLENE DI E TION Reference is made to the meeting’tafivéned by.QDPI on 30 November 1995 to discuss isoues in regard to the post-haryes-Tam ‘Produce within the papaya fruit fly quarantine area, opt Vv Or. ¥ This letter is to ci iw ie Qnersad Heats des not suport he conied use of EDB for -at“As we outlined at the meeting, review of available toxicological data ai terial demonstrates significant concerns regarding the potential human carcinogenitity, mutagenicity and adverse effects on the male reproduction system of EDB. It is noted that Australia has not set an occupational exposure standard for EDB. As a guide, the occupational health exposure standard of 0.5 ppm set in the United Kingdom hhas been used as a reference. However, the toxicological basis for this level is unknown. There is no standard set for general community exposure to EDB in air. Having reviewed the available toxicological data, it is our opinion that an appropriate environmental level should be very low and, based on modelling exercises of dispersal of released fumigant from chambers, would require very substantial buffer distances, which are unlikely to be achievable, Further, there is the important issue of potential occupational exposure to EDB by fumigators and other workers involved with the handling and transport of treated Produce. Also, there is the concern regarding potential community exposure through residues in treated produce. It is recognised that monitoring to date has not shown residues in ripened produce, but to ensure community protection, the avoidance of use of EDB on produce in the first place would be the ideal control mechanism. : waar File Page 14.0061 -2- To conclude, EDB is a substance about which there is considerable concern regarding potential chronic health effects. It has long been the recommendation of the National Health and Medical Research Council that the use of EDB should be phased out. This recent increase in the use of EDB for post-harvest treatment raises major concerns about potential community and worker exposure. Accordingly, we support the cessation of use of EDB through its deregistration. Yours sincerely Schedule 4- CPT Dr Gerard R Neville Acting Director Public Health sr247 Filed age 15.0161

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