Pesticides; Agricultural Worker Protection Standard; Reconsideration of the Application Exclusion Zone Amendments

Resumo

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is finalizing revisions to the application exclusion zone (AEZ) requirements in the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS). EPA has determined that several aspects of the AEZ provisions, such as those regarding the applicability of the AEZ and distance determination criteria, should be revised to reinstate previous requirements that better protect public health and limit exposure for those who may be near ongoing pesticide applications. To restore these protections, EPA is finalizing the AEZ rule proposed on March 13, 2023, as proposed without change.