On Friday the Environmental Protection Agency proposed restrictions meant to make it safer to use chlorpyrifos, an insecticide that has been linked to brain damage in children. The proposal comes after a September risk assessment the agency issued in September.
"EPA is proposing labeling amendments to limit applications associated with drinking-water risks as well as requiring additional personal protection equipment and application restrictions to address handler risks," Todd Neeley reports for DTN/The Progressive Farmer. "The agency is also proposing spray drift mitigation in addition to use limitations and application restrictions to reduce exposure for off-target organisms."Chlorpyrifos has long been a popular pesticide, but increasing safety concerns and state-level bans have made it much less so in recent years. Corteva, its leading manufacturer, announced in February that it would stop making the chemical because of "significantly" declining demand.
"Once the proposal is published in the Federal Register, the EPA will accept public comments for 60 days on the draft risk assessment and the additional proposal, according to a news release from the agency," Neeley reports. "That assessment identified dietary risks in adults and children, as well as risks to professional handlers of the chemical. The EPA's draft assessment also identified potential adverse effects to mammals, birds, fish, and terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates."
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