As part of the registration review for the pesticide paraquat dichloride, EPA is finalizing new, stronger safety measures to reduce exposure.  These measures include:

• Limiting aerial applications and requiring residential buffers.
• Prohibiting pressurized handgun and backpack sprayer applications.
• Requiring enclosed cabs or respirators for groundboom applications.
• Increasing the Restricted Entry Interval (REI) for several crops.

In addition, EPA is updating the Restricted Use Pesticide statement on paraquat labels to allow truck drivers who are not certified applicators to transport paraquat when certain conditions are met.