The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a ban on acephate, a pesticide linked to potential harm to children's developing brains.
Sharon Lerner reports for ProPublica.
In short:
- The EPA proposed banning acephate after a recent ProPublica report highlighted the agency's controversial risk assessment.
- Evidence indicates that acephate poses risks to workers, the public, and children through contaminated drinking water.
- The proposal to ban acephate applies to all food crops but would allow usage on non-fruit and non-nut bearing trees.
Key quote:
“The pushback on this is going to be really intense. I hope they stick to their guns.”
— Nathan Donley, scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity
Why this matters:
Banning acephate reflects a shift toward stricter regulation of potentially harmful chemicals that have been used in agriculture for decades. Read more: New analysis warns of pesticide residues on some fruits and veggies.
