More Information
June 8, 2000
The federal government Thursday banned residential use of a widely-used pesticide, saying the chemical poses a health threat to children.
Dursban, also known as chlorpyrifos, is the most widely used household pesticide produced in the U.S. The pesticide can be found in more than 800 products from pet flea collars and lawn care products to a variety of bug sprays used in homes, schools, parks, and on residential lawns and gardens.
More than 20 million pounds of the stuff are sold annually.
But now the Environmental Protection Agency is
banning such household use, because of concerns it may pose a risk for neurological problems in children.
Carol Browner/E.P.A. Administrator: "The time has come to review these pesticides for safety and where the science
dictates, remove these chemicals that pose an unreasonable threat to human
health."
The chemical is marketed for agricultural uses under the name Lorsban. It is used on a variety of
crops such as apples and grapes. The E.P.A. is requiring producers to
drastically reduce the amount of pesticide residue found on these foods because
they are frequently consumed by children.
The E.P.A. reached an agreement with six manufacturers, including the largest producer-- Dow AgroScience-- which calls for retail sales to stop in 18 months.
Dow AgroScience says it's still convinced the chemical is safe if used properly. But the company agreed to the E.P.A. action because, "it no longer made business sense in the current regulatory environment" to continue making the chemical for other than agricultural uses.
The government says its action will eliminate household use of chlorpyrifos by
the end of the year.
The 1996 Food Quality Protection Act requires the E.P.A. to
review the safety of pesticides and impose much tougher restrictions if a chemical is found to pose a special risk to children.
Links To More Information:
