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EPA draft risk assessment of chlorpyrifos

The EPA’s draft health risk assessment of chlorpyrifos has found “no risks of concern, including children’s health” when products are used according to label directions. It cites the limited remaining residential use of the insecticide. Environmental group Earthjustice, which is suing the EPA, says the Trump administration is rejecting years of established science which shows a clear health risk to children’s brains. The EPA draft says “neurodevelopmental effects remains unresolved.”

Corteva announced earlier this year it is phasing out production of chlorpyrifos. EPA has said it will re-register generic formulations of the chemical which is used in a wide variety of fruit, vegetable, corn, wheat and other crops.

EPA’s draft ecological risk assessment does identify “potential risks of concern” for mammals, birds, fish and terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates. EPA says it will open a 60-day public comment period in October and also consider a scientific advisory panel report once it’s released in December. The agency has until 2022 to complete its review.