PROTECTING ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

RTKnet: Pesticides

At Long Last: EPA Releases Pesticide Use Statistics (Pesticide Action Network)

The EPA has released its statistics on pesticide use nationwide, the first such data release since the Bush administration blocked publication in 2001. Click here to learn about trends and how much and what types of pesticides are in use in the US.

(25 Feb 2011)

EPA Relies on Industry-Backed Studies to Determine Safety of Weed Killer (The Huffington Post)

The EPA is publishing studies of the health effects of the pesticide Atrazine in drinking water that have been funded by companies with financial interest in the weed-killer. Many of these studies, which allege that the pesticide has minimal health risks, have not been scrutinized by independent scientists.

(09 Jul 2010)

Minnesota Department of Health Lists Chemicals of High Concern (Minnesota Public Radio)

The Minnesota Department of Health released a list of 1755 hazardous substances used in consumer products and industrial processes. "The list doesn't consider how often people are exposed to the chemical or the risk of exposure" because there is limited access to toxicity information. The Health Department may use the list to increase public awareness or other organizations might point to the list to inform consumers.

(02 Jul 2010)

Government-Approved Pesticide Levels Are Linked to Health Problems (CNN)

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently published "The Dirty Dozen" and "The Clean Fifteen," lists of produce with the highest and lowest pesticide concentrations, after reviewing 100,000 pesticide reports from the USDA and the FDA. Studies have found associations between pesticides and health problems even when consumed in low amounts approved by the FDA and EPA. According to EWG's Amy Rosenthal, "It's critical people know what they are consuming."

(04 Jun 2010)

Research Links Pesticide Ingestion to ADHD in Children (Los Angeles Times)

Researches recently reported that children with high levels of the pesticide malathion in their urine are at greater risk of contracting Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. Epidemiologist Marc G. Weisskopf of Harvard University's School of Public Health and his colleagues studied data on 1,139 children from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey over a four-year period. Weisskopf suggests that similar studies "'should raise eyebrows and get people concerned enough to want to follow up intensively.'"

(04 Jun 2010)

On Pesticides: Canadian Bylaws and American Lawn Flags (Environmental Working Group)

"The Canadian and U.S. governments have the same scientific evidence available to them... So why have so many jurisdictions in one nation chosen, as a response to that data, abolition of cosmetic pesticides while jurisdictions in the other rely on dinky yellow flags?"

(20 May 2010)

California Proposes Adding Two Chemicals To Prop 65 List (OEHHA)

California has proposed adding two toxics to its Proposition 65 list of toxic substances. The state proposes adding acrylamide as a reproductive toxicant and the pesticide metam potassium as a carcinogen.

(10 Mar 2010)

Atrazine Causing Havoc to Aquatic Life (Washington Post)

A new study shows that male frogs exposed to the herbicide atrazine -- commonly found in U.S. rivers and streams -- can make a startling developmental U-turn, turning female so completely that they can mate with other males and lay viable eggs.

(01 Mar 2010)

More Time to Comment on Disclosure of Pesticide Ingredients (U.S. EPA)

In response to industry requests, the EPA has extended the public comment period on its proposal to require disclosure of pesticide ingredients, including so-called inert ingredients, until April 23, 2010. "Inert" ingredients can be extremely dangerous but are usually not dislosed on pesticide labels. Submit your comments here.

(25 Feb 2010)

EPA Seeking Comment on Disclosing Pesticide Ingredients (OMB Watch)

The EPA is accepting public comments on its proposal to require pesticide manufacturers to label pesticide ingredients. Currently, pesticide makers must label the "active" ingredients in a pesticide, but they are not required to identify so-called inert ingredients. "Inerts" often are toxic or otherwise harmful substances in their own right.

(23 Dec 2009)