US EPA: Chlorpyrifos is here to stay

The pesticide chlorpyrifos, which has been linked to neurodevelopmental problems in children, can remain on the US market, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced on July 18. The decision is another victory for pesticide manufacturer Corteva Agriscience, formerly Dow AgroSciences, which challenged the EPA’s proposal to ban chlorpyrifos in 2015. Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate insecticide used on some types of fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Manufacturers voluntarily halted residential use in 2000 after the EPA identified health risks. Environmental and farmworker groups first petitioned the EPA to prohibit the use of chlorpyrifos on food crops in 2007. Eight years later, under a court order to respond to the petition, the EPA proposed revoking all uses of chlorpyrifos on food. Under the Trump administration, the EPA reversed its decision. In March 2017, the agency announced that it was denying the 2007 petition and delaying any decision about chlorpyrifos until 2022. Environmental and