  |
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 23, 1997
97-134
Contacts:
Jani Gilbert, Public Information Officer (509) 456-4464
Brian Dick, Environmental Specialist (509) 575-2477
Ann George, Administrator, Washington Hop Commission (509) 453-4749
The efforts of local hop growers were recognized at the Washington Association of Hop Growers annual picnic held last night, July 22, in Toppenish.
"Several years ago we presented the hop growers association with information about the environmental problems associated with hop pole dipping using a toxic preservative called pentachlorophenol (penta)," explained Brian Dick of Ecology's Central Regional Office in Yakima. "The poles are used to support the twine on which the hop vines are grown. Since the pole ends are placed several feet into the ground, hop growers usually treat the pole ends to slow the decay process.
"Since that time, with little help from us, many hop growers have changed the way they treat poles, or have switched to buying pre-treated poles," Dick said. This has meant a real improvement in the protection of worker health and the environment."
Twenty percent of the world's hops are grown in the Moxee and Yakima valleys. The Hop Growers of Washington, administered by Ann George, have a strong voice on agricultural and worker issues.
"We're delighted, of course. It's nice to have our growers recognized for their efforts to protect the environment" said George of the recent award. " The growers acted to protect workers and to prevent contaminating the soil."
In the past, pole dipping was done in either drums sunk into the ground or in concrete pits filled with the preservative. These methods are legal, but not the best choice from the standpoint of health and environmental protection.
"Workers can be exposed to penta while wrestling the poles out of the pits," said Dick. "The ground around the old pits was usually heavily stained with the oil and penta mix and it was very difficult to tell if they were leaking below ground."
The new system is a single concrete pit with a steel liner. Any leaks can be detected and contained in a secondary containment system. Poles are hydraulically lifted in and out, eliminating worker exposure. The drippage is returned to the pit for reuse. The ground around the new systems is clean.
Ecology is encouraging increased use of these new systems and practices. Ecology also urges neighbors to share the new systems to more rapidly phase out the old pole dipping methods.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
