A federal court docket lately ordered the Environmental Safety Company (EPA) to take motion towards banning the neurotoxic pesticide chlorpyrifos.
The pesticide was first scheduled to be banned in 2016 by the Obama administration, nonetheless, the Trump EPA “modified course the following yr with out offering any scientific justification for its determination,” the Intercept experiences.
In accordance with the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the pesticide is at present licensed to be used on practically 50 meals crops, which embody fruits, greens, nuts, and even milk. (Associated: Costco Meals You Ought to At all times Keep away from, In accordance with Nutritionists)
Why is chlorpyrifos such a giant concern?
In February, the EWG referred to as on the EPA to ban using the brain-damaging pesticide in a public remark letter, as research have proven publicity to chlorpyrifos while pregnant may end up in decreased IQ, delayed growth of motor and sensory capabilities, as effectively as social and behavioral dysfunction.
An EPA threat evaluation carried out in 2016 concluded that dietary exposures to chlorpyrifos for kids between the ages of 1-2 years previous could possibly be higher than 140 occasions the advised secure ranges.
“The numbers are alarming, particularly as a result of even tiny quantities of this pesticide could cause irreparable neurological harm to youngsters,” Alexis Temkin, Ph.D., an EWG toxicologist mentioned in a press release.
This is not the primary time the EPA has come near banning the pesticide, although. Considerations about chlorpyrifos harming youngsters emerged as early because the late Nineteen Eighties with environmental teams urging to get the pesticide banned. The Dow Chemical Firm (now referred to as Corteva) and agricultural teams fought towards the company, claiming that banning the chemical would trigger a scarcity of vegetables and fruit.
On the time, the EPA did not have the political help from the White Home or Congress that it wanted to eliminate the pesticide sooner. This yr, Biden issued an govt order calling for a reexamination of the Trump administration’s reversal of the chlorpyrifos ban. Corteva stopped utilizing the pesticide final yr however the EPA continues to permit different firms to make the pesticide.
Eat This, Not That! reached out to the EPA for an inquiry however has but to listen to again.
For extra, make sure to learn These Are the 12 Dirtiest Meals on Grocery Retailer Cabinets, In accordance with an Knowledgeable.
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