Person spraying pesticides.

The EPA Isn’t Taking It’s Own Advice on a Pesticide That Cause Brain Damage in Children

After decades of research and debate, the EPA was on the cusp of banning all use of chlorpyrifos, a poison that attacks the nervous system. But in 2017, then-EPA administrator Scott Pruitt delayed a decision by five years. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien reports that fight is part of a larger battle over the use of scientific studies and industry pressure.

August 29, 2018 | Source: PBS | by Miles O'Brien

After decades of research and debate, the EPA was on the cusp of banning all use of chlorpyrifos, a poison that attacks the nervous system. But in 2017, then-EPA administrator Scott Pruitt delayed a decision by five years. Science correspondent Miles O’Brien reports that fight is part of a larger battle over the use of scientific studies and industry pressure.

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  • Judy Woodruff:

    It’s not well known to the general public yet that the Environmental Protection Agency under President Trump wants to change which scientific studies can be used by the federal government to regulate industry.

    The administration and business voices say studies should be used only if all of the data is publicly available and transparent. But many scientists and researchers say doing so would violate privacy protections for patients in studies.

    This issue is now playing out in a long-running battle over whether the ban pesticides that harm babies and children.