EPA Bans Chlorpyrifos Pesticides Due to Risks to Children’s Health

 Posted on August 30, 2021 in Defective Products

Americans expect to be protected from products that could be harmful to their health. Unfortunately, there are many ways that people can become exposed to toxic chemicals and other dangerous substances. In many cases, exposure to these types of chemicals occurs because of the pesticides and herbicides used on crops. Recently, issues related to chlorpyrifos, a commonly-used pesticide, were brought to light when the federal government took steps to ban the use of this chemical on crops used for food. Those who may have been exposed to this dangerous product will want to understand its potential effects and their options for addressing the injuries they have suffered.

Dangers of Chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate insecticide that has been in use since 1965. It has been used on multiple different types of crops, including apples, strawberries, citrus fruits, peaches, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, and soybeans. Until 2000, it was also used as a household pesticide to kill insects such as cockroaches, ants, or mosquitos.

Health advocates have been fighting against the use of chlorpyrifos for decades, and in August of 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a ruling banning the use of this pesticide on all crops used as food. The EPA stated that it was implementing this ban in order to protect the safety of children, farmworkers, and others who may be exposed to the product. The chemical had previously been banned or restricted in multiple states, including California, Oregon, New York, Maryland, and Hawaii, as well as in Canada and the European Union. 

Exposure to chlorpyrifos can have serious, long-term effects on children’s brains. Studies have found that children who were exposed to the chemical at a young age or during a mother’s pregnancy were twice as likely to experience mental delays, five times as likely to experience autism spectrum disorder, and six times as likely to experience ADHD symptoms. These children also had lower IQs and experienced memory problems.

Contact Our Schaumburg Pesticide Injury Lawyers

Even though the potentially dangerous effects of chlorpyrifos have been well-known for years, this product has continued to be used on crops in the United States, and millions of people may have been exposed to this substance. While children are most likely to suffer harm from this chemical, it may have led to serious health issues for people of all ages. If you are concerned about how exposure to chlorpyrifos may have affected you and your family, Newland & Newland, LLP can review your case and help you determine whether you can take legal action against the product’s manufacturer. Contact our Rolling Meadows product liability attorneys by calling 847-797-8000 to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Sources:

https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/chlorpyrifos

https://www.npr.org/2021/08/18/1029144997/epa-will-ban-a-farming-pesticide-linked-to-health-problems-in-children

https://theintercept.com/2021/08/24/chlorpyrifos-epa-ban-pesticides/