EPA Rejects Petition to Ban ‘Agent Orange’ Pesticide, Paves Way for More Widespread Use

EPA rejects petition to ban pesticide; Paves way for widespread use on Dow Chemical's genetically modified corn seeds

April 10, 2012 | Source: Common Dreams | by

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The Environmental Protection Agency rejected a petition to ban the sale of the 2,4-D pesticide, a major ingredient in the Vietnam-era defoliant ‘Agent Orange’. Despite its current widespread availability, use of 2,4-D could skyrocket soon because its main manufacturer, Dow Chemical, is hoping to receive approval to sell genetically modified corn seeds that are resistant to 2,4-D.

The decision from the EPA came in response to a lawsuit from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in January of this year, who filed the suit after the EPA refused to respond to a petition the environmental group first submitted in 2008.

“This dangerous pesticide is lurking all over the place – from ball fields and golf courses, to front lawns and farms – exposing an enormous amount of the American public to cancer and other serious health risks,” NRDC senior scientist Dr. Gina Solomon said, during the announcement of the move in January. “There’s no reason to continue allowing a toxic Agent Orange-ingredient in the places our children play, our families live and our farmers work. EPA must step up and finally put a stop to it.”

The EPA’s decision on Monday, however, rejected the idea that 2,4-D was a health or “safety” threat, and even pointed to a Dow Chemical conducted study to support their decision.