Advocates Seek Legal Deadline For EPA To Finalize Chlorpyrifos Ban

摘要

Environmentalists are urging an appeals court to set a legal deadline for EPA to finalize its proposal to ban the commonly-used pesticide chlorpyrifos by the end of next year, arguing the agency has repeatedly stalled in responding to advocates' calls for a ban, though EPA says it is moving quickly and further deadlines may compromise the final rule. EPA Oct. 30 announced a proposal to ban chlorpyrifos by Dec. 31, 2016, to protect against risks from exposure through drinking water in small watersheds, meeting a U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit deadline for the agency to act on advocates' long-standing petition to ban the substance on grounds it poses neurodevelopmental risks to children.