Since it was registered in 1965, chlorpyrifos has been reviewed several times by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for tolerance reassessment, reregistration and most recently, as part of its ongoing registration review.
Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate insecticide used for a large variety of agricultural uses, including soybeans, fruit and nut trees, broccoli, cauliflower, and other row crops, as well as non-food uses. It also has been used on golf courses to control some insect pests. It has been found to inhibit an enzyme, which leads to neurotoxicity, and also has been associated with potential neurological effects in children, according to the EPA.
As a result, many states have banned the use of chlorpyrifos, and the EPA banned its use in the consumer market. On Aug. 18, the EPA announced it will stop the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos on all food products.
In a final rule, the EPA is revoking all tolerances for chlorpyrifos, which establish an amount of a pesticide that is allowed on food. In addition, the agency will issue a Notice of Intent to Cancel under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to cancel registered food uses of chlorpyrifos associated with the revoked tolerances.
The steps taken by the EPA are in response to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' order directing the EPA to issue a final rule in response to the 2007 petition filed by Pesticide Action Network North America and Natural Resources Defense Council. The petition requested that EPA revoke all chlorpyrifos tolerances, or the maximum allowed residue levels in food, because those tolerances were not safe, in part due to the potential for neurodevelopmental effects in children.
While farmers have historically relied on chlorpyrifos, its use has been in decline due to restrictions at the state level and reduced production. Additionally, some alternatives have been registered in recent years for most crops. There are also other chemistries and insect growth regulators available for certain target pests.
This action will also be incorporated into the ongoing registration review for chlorpyrifos. After considering public comments, the agency will proceed with registration review for the remaining non-food uses of chlorpyrifos.