06/21/05 Cholinesterase monitoring update

It's the second year of a mandatory monitoring program for Washington State farm workers for pesticide contamination. And according to Kirk Mayer of the Washington Growers Clearing House, there is good news to report on the blood monitoring test for cholinesterase levels. MAYER: Last year through the tenth of May we had thirty-one per cent of the farm workers impacted, and this year, we had seven-point-two per cent so that's a considerable improvement. But it is not only the lower numbers that pleases Mayer and others critical of Washington State's Labor and Industries Department's approach of mandated testing verses establishing a base line level for testing. MAYER: I think the data is showing that we had problems the first year with the laboratory and collection procedures, and now that that's been cleaned up, we're getting more accurate information that we can hopefully review and determine where we want to go from here. So where does the tree fruit industry and agriculture go from here? Mayer says part of L and I's cholinesterase monitoring rule requires a stakeholder advisory and scientific advisory committee to review data collected this year and last, and issue reports each year with recommendations on how to improve cholinesterase monitoring, not only for accuracy but also from making it more cost affordable to growers. MAYER: L and I will take steps based on the report at the end of 2005.