It appeared that the EPA was lastly transferring to ban the brain-damaging insecticide often called chlorpyrifos earlier this yr, however on the 11th hour, EPA administrator Scott Pruitt determined to reverse the ban. While the choice happened earlier this spring, current information exhibits that his resolution got here after a gathering with Dow Chemical’s CEO Andrew Liveris.
The flip-flop resolution after a gathering with the corporate that manufactures the poisonous insecticide suggests company favoritism and attainable interference somewhat than concern with environmental and well being security, and even scientific reality. There was a prolonged, nearly two-decade historical past of analysis proving the risks of chlorpyrifos to pregnant ladies and kids.
It’s not like Pruitt can declare inadequate analysis as a lot because the Trump Administration could wish to chalk up unbiased scientific analysis to “alternative facts.” A present search on PubMed reveals that greater than 4000 research have been performed on chlorpyrifos and its security. The chemical has been linked to impaired motor features in infants, different neurodevelopmental defects, liver and lung toxicity, diminished cognitive potential and different harm to well being. Dow Chemical states on its web site: “We combine science, understanding, and creativity to re-imagine what is vital to human progress.” Does the corporate suppose mind, neurological, lung and liver harm is significant to human progress? I don’t.
The chemical business’s personal security knowledge sheets describe signs of extreme publicity to chlorpyrifos as “headaches, nausea, vomiting, weakness, blurred vision, tightness in chest, labored breathing, and nervousness” amongst others. Yet the business and now the EPA count on us to consider it’s fit for human consumption on our meals?
The Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC), Pesticide Action Network and Earthjustice initiated a lawsuit in opposition to the EPA mere days after Pruitt’s resolution to reverse the ban on chlorpyrifos.
Only days in the past, Liveris acquired the 2017 Global Leadership Award from the US-India Business Council, an ill-conceived choice to obtain the award, for my part, until the factors for the award had been to wreak havoc on the atmosphere and human well being and manipulate company pursuits on the authorities degree, each of which Liveris seems to be doing.
Perhaps the group at present named the “Environmental Protection Agency” ought to think about a swap to “Corporate Protection Agency” or higher but “Dow Protection Agency” to higher mirror its present work? Yes, the DPA looks like a greater match since it’s extra involved with Dow’s backside line than the well being of over 325 million Americans. In the previous, pesticide big Monsanto has acquired a lot of the dangerous press and unwell reputation amongst environmental and well being advocates however maybe it’s time for us to focus some consideration on Dow Chemical.
As if the choice wasn’t dangerous sufficient: as a result of Pruitt made the choice “final” it’s unlikely that the EPA will think about reviewing any request to evaluate the insecticide’s security till at the very least 2022, giving Dow Chemical a minimal of 5 extra years through which to promote its product. Considering that American farmers alone spray roughly 5 million kilos of the insecticide yearly on crops like apples, broccoli, oranges and walnuts, that may seemingly spell hefty earnings for Dow.
Like different pesticides, chlorpyrifos was developed as a household of nerve brokers to be used in World War II, however as soon as the warfare was over, chemical producers sought new functions for the chemical substances.
Based on a report by the California Department of Public Health, greater than 430 colleges in California’s Central Valley are inside one-quarter mile from farms that spray poisonous pesticides.
Dow Chemical and DowAgroSciences manufacture all kinds of merchandise together with: pesticides, pesticides, fumigants and even Omega 9 fatty acids.
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Dr. Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD, DNM is the writer of the free e-newsletter World’s Healthiest News, president of PureFood BC, and a global best-selling and 20-time printed e book writer whose works embrace: Boost Your Brain Power in 60 Seconds: The 4-Week Plan for a Sharper Mind, Better Memory, and Healthier Brain. The above statements are the opinion of the writer.
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