Chlorpyrifos is a common pesticide used by farmers on food crops to keep away insect pests. Now, the agriculture industry will no longer be able to use it as the Biden administration announced a ban on Wednesday.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made the announcement as the pesticide has been linked to health problems in children and farm workers. In the past, the EPA has set “tolerances” of chlorpyrifos, allowing a certain amount to be used on food, and the Trump administration decided not to outlaw it.
“Today EPA is taking an overdue step to protect public health. Ending the use of chlorpyrifos on food will help to ensure children, farmworkers, and all people are protected from the potentially dangerous consequences of this pesticide,” Michael S. Regan, an EPA administrator, said in a statement. “After the delays and denials of the prior administration, EPA will follow the science and put health and safety first.”
The pesticide has been used on various different crops, including soybeans, fruit and nut trees, broccoli, cauliflower, and other row crops. But it has been found to inhibit an enzyme which can cause neurotoxicity and could lead to neurological effects in children. These can cause reduced IQ, loss of memory, and attention deficit disorders. Environmental groups have been pushing for this ban for over a decade.
In 2000, chlorpyrifos was banned from use within the household, and Canada, the European Union and states including California, Hawaii, New York, Maryland, and Oregon have already previously taken steps to restrict the use of chlorpyrifos.
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