The Biden administration has restored farmworker protections against pesticide exposure that were weakened under the Trump administration, expanding safety zones around pesticide spray areas.
Rachel Frazin reports for The Hill.
In short:
- The restored rule mandates a 100-foot safety boundary around areas sprayed with small-droplet pesticides, reversing the Trump-era reduction to 25 feet.
- The rule also applies beyond farm boundaries if within the safety zone, addressing concerns about exposure in adjacent areas.
- The Trump administration had defended its rollback as an improvement in both worker protection and regulation practicality.
Key quote:
“Farmworkers help to provide the food we feed our families every day and it’s EPA’s job to keep them safe from pesticides.”
— Michal Freedhoff, Environmental Protection Agency
Why this matters:
Strengthening pesticide safety standards directly protects farmworkers and nearby communities from toxic exposure. The return to broader safety zones reflects a renewed focus on environmental health and worker safety.
