Consumer Alert: Scientists Concerned About Increased Diazinon Use On Lawns in August and September.

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 26, 1998--King County Hazardous Waste Management Program recently reported that last year in August and September nearly 4,000 lawn care products were sold containing diazinon.

Product sales for 1998 are expected to continue this trend. Consumers commonly use diazinon during these months to control crane flies. However, what many people don't know is their efforts are wasted because adult crane flies cannot be sufficiently controlled by applying pesticides in late summer and fall. Moreover, adult crane flies will not harm a lawn; larvae are the stage most likely to cause damage. And even larvae usually do not present a huge problem for lawns. They must be present in large numbers (25 to 40 or more per square foot which is 40,000 - 64,000 larvae in a 40' x 40' lawn) to significantly impact a healthy lawn.

"False rumors about crane flies often cause consumers to overreact in late summer and fall. Natural controls -- such as birds and dry weather -- maylargely eliminate high crane fly populations in fall. Not only is this unnecessary use of diazinon a waste of resources, it may also significantly impact our environment," said Art Antonelli, Entomologist, Washington State University Cooperative Extension.

While diazinon is still registered for use by homeowners, it has been banned for use on golf courses and sod farms because of bird kills. In March, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife reported that the use of diazinon on home lawns had caused the death of several dozen ducks in the Seattle area. Biologists say that diazinon has the potential to kill more than 100 species of birds that feed on crane fly larvae.

Scientists are also concerned about the long-term effects of diazinon on fish, including the endangered Chinook salmon. Water quality testing in local streams has found diazinon at levels exceeding those recommended by the National Academy of Sciences to protect aquatic life. This included moderately high concentrations of diazinon found in Mercer Creek at three different times of the year.

Pesticides and other chemicals used on lawns are among the highest priority ground water issues in Washington state. Dealing with crane flies with less pesticides is environmentally preferred. Consumers are advised that if they want to use pesticides, it's best to spray in spring after determining if it's necessary.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY Who: Annette Frahm, King County Hazardous Waste Management Program

What: Annette Frahm can answer questions pertaining to crane flies and the scope of the current problem in Washington state, as well as provide crane fly photographs.

    CONTACT: Molly Brumley, 206/287-7126
              Mindy Meyring, 206/621-6478