Word: edb
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...EDB recalls leave food manufacturers fretful and watchful
...state asked Procter & Gamble to take Duncan Hines muffin mixes off the shelves, and in Massachusetts, the public health commissioner recommended that consumers return 46 different cake mixes and grain products to the store. The cause of the panicked shelf cleaning was a chemical called ethylene dibromide, or EDB. A highly effective pesticide similar to DDT, it is also a dangerous carcinogen. Farmers have used EDB to keep bugs off grain and citrus fruit for more than 30 years, and scientists have known the cancer risk for the past ten years. But the Federal Government has been slow...
Because of a loophole in the law that exempted EDB from federal tolerance standards in 1956, these levels are voluntary, but the states are all expected to comply...
...must calm down," he said to a packed news conference in Washington, D.C. EDB is generally no longer used to treat grain, and the stored harvest that has been fumigated can be made safe simply by airing it or storing it longer. Most of the cake mix falls below the federally acceptable levels, and cooking will eliminate about 91% of EDB. Ruckelshaus put off any decision on the use of EDB on citrus fruits. Only about 2% of citrus fruits consumed in the U.S. are treated with the chemical. While there are safe alternative pesticides for grain, no entirely safe...
...present, the bill's chances are not good unless Ruckelshaus throws his weight behind the measure now before Congress. Ruckelshaus has already compromised his office by avoiding any ruling on the use of EDB on citrus products--largely because of the potential effect on international trade--although residues of the chemical at 25 times the international limit considered safe for humans have been found in the pulp of fruits from Florida. In light of his sworn duties to protect the environment and human life, strong support of the Congressional measures should be foremost on Ruckelshaus' agenda...