BUSINESS CONCENTRATES DDT-contaminated pesticide can be used
Synfuels Corp. making hay while sun shines
EPA, which proposed banning the use of dicofol last October because of high levels of manufacturing impurities, particularly tetrachloro-DDT (DDTr), has changed its mind. It now says that the substantial benefits of using this product outweigh the risks. About 2.5 million lb of dicofol are used in the U.S. each year to control mites on citrus and cotton, and EPA has determined that there are no viable pesticide substitutes for the product currently available. An important factor in EPA's decision was manufacturers' assurance that DDTr levels in technical dicofol, which now range up to 10%, can be reduced in incremental stages to 0.1% by July 1987. Such small amounts, according to EPA, will be indistinguishable from current background levels of DDTr and are not expected to pose any significant risks to the environment, such as eggshell thinning or other reproductive problems in birds or fish.
U.S. Synthetic Fuels Corp. appears to be trying to beat the clock and approve government assistance to a number of synthetic fuel projects before the quasigovernment organization is abolished by Congress. Following a long private session and the cancellation of a public meeting of the SFC board of directors, SFC chairman Edward Noble says the board has ironed out some differences of opinion and will be trying to move forward on new agreements. Four projects reportedly are near a contract, which would require about $4 billion in loan guarantees and price supports. The House already has voted to abolish SFC, but the Senate has not acted yet. Supporters of SFC, notably Sen. James A. McClure (R.-Idaho) and Sen. J. Bennett Johnston (D.-La.), have said they will try to prevent such a vote in the Senate. No action is expected until November.
NSF sets up new engineering grant program NSF is setting up an experimental program that seeks to integrate the science base with the practice base in engineering instruction in college classrooms. "Much of this know-how and knowledge resides in industrial firms and is often not adequately taught in engineering schools," points out Nam P. Suh, NSF assistant director for engineering. To explore ways to inject that practical element into classroom instruction, NSF has set up a new grant program entitled "University-Industry-Government Partnership for Quality Engineering Personnel." U.S. academic institutions with accredited engineering programs interested in participating in the new NSF program should address inquiries to William S. Butcher, Director, Special Activities, Directorate for Engineering, NSF, 1800 G St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20550, or phone (202) 357-9834. Proposals must be submitted by Dec. 16.
Ban on use of sulfites on fresh food proposed FDA has announced it no longer believes the use of sulfites on raw foods is safe and is moving to ban such use quickly. These compounds—sulfur dioxide, sodium sulfate, sodium and potassium bisulfite, and sodium and potassium metabisulfite—have been used on fruits and vegetables served uncooked to customers in restaurants. The proposed ban is based on a Jan. 31 report by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology on sulfites, on recent reports in the medical literature, and consumer complaints. Since at least 1982, there have been calls for a ban on these compounds, commonly used to preserve the fresh appearance of uncooked items in salad bars. Reported adverse reactions include nausea, diarrhea, hives, shortness of breath, and even death. Sulfites had been on FDA's list of substances Generally Recognized as Safe. The proposed ban appears in the Aug. 14 Federal Register, page 32830.
CEQ no longer wants "worst case analysis" The Council on Environmental Quality has decided to return to the "rule of reason" for the Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) that federal agencies are required to do for any proposed major action. No longer will a "worst case analysis" be required when information is missing. That requirement, according to CEQ, has led to conjectural analyses, an indulgence in speculation for its own sake without a firm connection between credible science and the hypothetical consequences of an agency's proposed action, that are useful neither to decision makers nor the public. The replacement regulation that CEQ proposes requires that federal agencies disclose and evaluate "reasonably foreseeable" environmental impacts—including remote but potentially catastrophic consequences—provided those effects are "founded on science that is competent and worthy of belief" and that is based upon theoretical approaches or research results generally accepted in the scientific community.
Washington roundup • The Office of Technology Assessment has reprinted workshop proceedings on "Innovative Biological Technologies for Lesser Developed Countries," covering such topics as underexploited plant resources, biological nitrogen fixation, and zeolites. Copies are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 for $9.00. The stock number is 052-003-01003-8. • Daniel G. McPherson, a chemist and retired vice president and director of quality control and product safety for General Mills Inc., has been appointed deputy assistant secretary for science and education at USDA. • NSF has awarded a five-year $355,000 grant to Lehigh University to study ways to improve the management of technological information. August 19, 1985 C&EN
13
