US EPA moves to end use of insecticide endosulfan

09 June 2010 17:57  [Source: ICIS news]

TORONTO (ICIS news)--The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving to end all uses of insecticide endosulfan in the US, it said on Wednesday.

The agency said it was working with producer Makhteshim Agan of North America on steps to voluntarily terminate all endosulfan uses.

Endosulfan, an organochlorine insecticide used on vegetables, fruits, and cotton, could pose unacceptable neurological and reproductive risks to farm workers and wildlife, and it could persist in the environment, the agency said.

In fact, new data showed that risks faced by workers were greater than previously known, it added.

Endosulfan was first registered in the 1950s. It also used on ornamental shrubs, trees, and herbaceous plants.

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By: Stefan Baumgarten
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