The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recent reapproval of paraquat, despite its link to Parkinson's disease, underscores the agency's ongoing challenges in effectively regulating harmful pesticides.
Liza Featherstone reports for The New Republic.
In short:
- The EPA recently reapproved paraquat, a herbicide linked to Parkinson's disease, despite evidence of its harmful effects.
- The struggle includes the agency's failure to curb Roundup, a weed killer containing glyphosate, which is potentially carcinogenic.
- Industry influence and anti-regulatory ideology within the government have hindered effective pesticide regulation.
Key quote:
"Can anyone believe it is possible to lay down such a barrage of poisons on the surface of the earth without making it unfit for all life? They should be called … ‘biocides.’”
— Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring
Why this matters:
This issue is important for public health, as it underscores the conflict between industry interests and the need for stringent environmental regulations. It's a reminder of the ongoing battle to ensure the safety of our environment and health in the face of powerful corporate lobbying.
Commentary: Lawmakers want the EPA to ignore impacts of pesticides on endangered species.
