Request a Demo
Request A Demo
+1.216.765.7100
close

EHSvoice

Dakota Software's Blog for EHS and Sustainability Professionals

EPA seeks comments on chlorpyrifos proposal

November 10th, 2015 by Dakota Software Staff Industry News

EPA seeks comments on chlorpyrifos proposal

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a proposal revoking all food residue tolerances for the insecticide chlorpyrifos on Sept. 6. The EPA's proposal came after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ordered the EPA to respond to a petition in August 2015. The EPA stated that it can't identify whether or not exposure to chlorpyrifos meets the standards set out by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The EPA now seeks comments on its proposal, which has roughly 60 days from the time it was released until the EPA makes the decision to publish it in the Federal Register.

According to Growing Produce, the EPA will ensure any final decision protects people as it should through additional analysis of the insecticide's effect on both food and water. The EPA will also consider the data compiled by other researchers and scientists.

"EPA is not issuing a final revocation rule because we have not proposed it and have not completed our refined drinking water assessment, leaving certain science issues unresolved," The EPA said in a statement, Growing Produce reported. "Therefore, as we are informing the court, we have proposed to revoke all chlorpyrifos tolerances based on the science as it stands. Issuing a proposed revocation provides an opportunity for public input prior to any final decision."

According to Feedstuffs, the public and industry leaders have the ability to comment on both the hazard assessment and the drinking water analysis before the EPA issues a final rule.

The industry says chlorpyrifos are safe
Feedstuffs reported around 6 million pounds of chlorpyrifos were used on a wide variety of crops in 2012, representing the latest data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Most of the crops the insecticide was used on were soybeans, fruits from orchards and grapes. The amount of chlorpyrifos used in 2012 was 7 million pounds less than the amount used in 1994.

One of the many manufacturers of the insecticide, Dow AgroSciences, said in a statement that it disagrees with the EPA's proposal, according to Feedstuffs.

Mark Watte, a farmer of 600 acres in California, said he has to use chlorpyrifos for aphids and white flys, and the new environmental regulations proposed could terribly hurt his business.

"Last year, we had a huge aphid infestation, and chlorpyrifos was an important part of the solution," Watte told Feedstuffs. "Aphids excrete sugars that make cotton fibers sticky so that when the lint goes to the yarn mill it gums up the machines. Buyers don't want sticky cotton. Some might accept it, at a significant discount."

Dennis McFarlin, a grape grower in California, told Feedstuffs a similar story. He said chlorpyrifos is one of the few materials he can truly trust to effectively control insects and keep them from destroying his crop. He said all the farmers and growers know the restrictions and respect the appropriate levels.

Both McFarlin and Watte said without chlorpyrifos, they would have to spray their crops more often with less efficient materials. This is much more costly and the growers say it's bad for the environment.

Be Part of the Solution

Sign up for the Dakota EHS e-Newsletter for monthly updates from our regulatory and industry experts.

subscribe