UNITED STA TES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

WASHINGTON O.C., 20460 

AUG 1 3 2015 

OFFICE OF CHEMICAL SAFETY 

ANO POLLUTION PREVENTION 

MEMORANDUM 

SUBJECT: Updated Screening Level Usage Analysis (SLUA) Report for Diquat dibromide PC 

# 032201 

FROM: 

THRU: 

TO: 

Jihad 

Science 

Alsadek

and In

, 

formation 

Ph.D., Economist 

Analysis Branch 

:r'vW. A ~ 

I . ~ Diann Sims, Chief , &/ :>-,.._/~~ Science Information and Analysis Branch 

Biological and Economic Analysis Division (7503P) 

Bonnie Adler, Chemical Risk Manager 

Risk Management and Implementation Branch 5 

Pesticide Re-evaluation Di.vision (7508P) 

This memorandum transmits an updated Screening Level Usage Analysis (SLUA) report for the 

diquat di bromide (previously completed in 2009). The usage data in the updated SLUA (2015) 

are an amalgamation of USDA/NASS and Private Pesticide Market Research data from 2004 to 

2013. 

The new SLUA (2015) shows an increase in usage, in terms of pounds a.i. and/or percent crop 

treated on three crops (apples, potatoes, and tomatoes), and a decrease, in terms of pounds a.i. 

and/or percent crop treated, on almonds only. The usage data did not change for several crops 

including alfalfa, avocados, cherries, grapes, and pecans. 

In the current SLUA there is reported usage data for some crops that was not observed during the 

previous reporting period. These include artichokes, cantaloupes, carrots, cotton, figs, pistachios, 

pomegranates, raspberries, squash, and watermelons. Also usage on several crops reported in the 

2009 SLUA were not observed in the current reported period. These include olives, pea~hes , 

peppers, and strawberries. 

For questions, comments and other usage infonnation requests, please contact me at 703-308-

8140. . 

... 
Diquat dibromide (032201) 

Screening Level Usage Analysis (SLUA) 

Date: July 31, 2015 

What is a Screening Level Usage Analysis (SLUA)? 

• Available estimates of pesticide usage data for a particular active ingredient that is used on 

agricultural crops in the United States. 

• Pesticide usage data obtained from various sources. The data are then merged, averaged, and 

rounded so that the presented information is not proprietary, business confidential, or trade secret. 

What does it contain? 

• Pesticide usage data for a single active ingredient only. 

• Agricultural use sites (crops) that the pesticide is reported to be used on. 

• Available pesticide usage information from U.S. states that produce 80% or more of a crop, in most 

cases, or less than 80%, in rare cases, depending on the scope of the survey and available resources. 

• Annual percent of crop treated (average & maximum) for each agricultural crop. 

• Average annual pounds of the pesticide applied for each agricultural crop (i.e., for the states 

surveyed, not for the entire United States). 

What assumptions can I make about the reported data? 

• Average pounds of active ingredient applied - Values are calculated by merging pesticide usage 

data sources together; averaging across all observations, then rounding. Note: If the estimated value 

is less than 500, then that value is labeled <500. Estimated values between 500 & <l ,000,000 are 

rounded to 1 significant digit. Eslimated values of 1,000,000 or greater are rounded to 2 significant 

digits.) 

• Average percent of crop treated - Values are calculated by merging data sources together; 

averaging by year, averaging across all years, & rounding to the nearest multiple of 5,. Note: If the 

eslimated value is less than 2.5, then the value is labeled <2.5. If the estimated value is less than 1, 

then the value is labeled <l. 

• Maximum percent of crop treated - Value is the single maximum value reported across all data 

sources, across all years, & rounded up to the nearest multiple of 5. Note: If the estimated value is 

less than 2.5, then the value is labeled <2.5. 

What are the data sources used? 

• USDA-NASS (United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service) -

pesticide usage data from 2004 to 2013. 

• Private pesticide market research - pesticide usage data from 2004 to 2013. 

• California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) Pesficide Use Reporting (PUR) data for 

2004 to 2012. 

What are the limitations to the data? 

• Additional registered uses may exist but are not included because the available surveys do not report 

usage (e.g., small acreage crops). 

• Lack of reported usage data for the pesticide on a crop does riot imply zero usage. 

• Usage data on a particular site may be noted in data sources, but not quantified. In these instances, 

the site would not be reported in the SLUA. · · 

• Non-agricultural use sites (e.g., turf, post-harvest, mosquito control, etc.) are not reported in the 

SLUA. A separate request must be made to receive these estimates. 

• Some sites show some use, even though they are not on the label. This usage could be due to 

various factors, including, but not limited to Section 18 requests, existing stocks of the chemical, 

data collection errors, and experimental use permits (EUPs). 
Date: July 31, 2015 

Screening Level Estimates of Agricultural Uses of Diquat dibromide (032201) 

Sorted Alphabetically 

Reporting Years: 2004-2013 

Annual Average Percent Crop Treated 

Crop 

1 Alfalfa 

2 Almonds 

3 Apples 

4 Artichokes 

5 Avocados 

6 Cantaloupes 

7 Cherries 

8 Figs* 

9 Grapes 

10 Pecans 

11 Pistachios* 

12 Pome2ranates* 

13 Potatoes 

14 Squash 

15 Tomatoes 

16 Watermelons 

All numbers are rounded. 

<500: less than 500 pounds of active ingredients. 

<2.5: less than 2.5 percent of crop is treated. 

< I: less than I percent of crop is treated. 

Lbs. A.I. 

<500 

<500 

2,000 

<500 

3,000 

<500 

'<500 

<500 

<500 

<500 

<500 

<500 

200,000 

<500 

2,000 

<500 

*Based on CA DPR data on ly (80% or more of U.S. acres grown are in California). 

SLUA data sources include: 

Average 

<l 

<1 

<2.5 

5 

5 

<1 

<l 

<2.5 

<1 

<l 

<l 

<1 

35 

<2.5 

<2.5 

<2.5 

USDA-NASS (United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service) 

Private Pesticide Market Research 

California DPR (Department of Pesticide Regulation) 

These results reflect amalgamated data developed by the Agency and are releasable to the public. 

Maximum 

<2.5 

<2.5 

<2.5 

5 

5 

<2.5 

<2.5 

<2.5 

<2.'5 

<2.5 

<2.5 

<2.5 

so 

<2.5 

<2.5 

<2.5