EPA bans use of pesticide carbofuran

[The Straight Story]

EPA bans use of pesticide carbofuran

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- U.S. growers who treat crops with the pesticide carbofuran after Dec. 31 face punishment from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, officials said.

"The evidence is clear that carbofuran does not meet today's rigorous food-safety standards," said Steve Owens, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances.

The EPA announced its decision Friday after six months of study and public comment.

"It is now important to move forward with the needed public health protections, especially for children," Owens said.

Short-term health effects from carbofuran, made by FMC Corp., include headaches, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, chest pains, blurred vision, anxiety and muscle weakness, the EPA said.

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2009/10/30/EPA-bans-use-of-pesticide-carbofuran/UPI-75451256930123/

[Altoid_Cyclist]

1. It's nice to see the environment win one.

So many toxins and so little time to investigate the health and environmental consequences of all of them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbofuran

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. It should be noted the decison was made in 2006, but.....

final action not taken until now, to go into effect Dec. 15.
The pesticide has been used since 1967, and has caused untold damage.
See:

2008 story, same source as above, @ http://tinyurl.com/yzh7dln
and
http://tinyurl.com/ya9gjmn

[MH1]

4. Final action not taken until now.

if McCain/Palin had won, would this even have happened?

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. Good point, given the rule was in 2006

and obvious foot dragging till now.

[MH1]

6. It seems necessary

to point these things out at DU, lately.

Lest people forget that what they voted for in 2008 was not just health care reform.

[mike_c]

3. good-- carbofuran is extremely toxic to birds....

eom

[eppur_se_muova]

7. This may help save lions in Kenya ...

Insecticide 'killing Kenya lions'

By Adam Mynott
BBC News, Kenya

Environmentalists in Kenya are worried that an insecticide is being used by farmers to kill lions and other predators.

Carbofuran is a very powerful and toxic insecticide.

Spread in the soil, it destroys bugs in the ground and is taken up by plants and kills insects which feed on the sap or foliage.

It is so powerful and toxic that it has been banned in Europe.

In the United States it cannot be used in granular form, and the US Environmental Protection Agency is seeking a total ban.

But in Kenya, carbofuran can be bought across the counter without restriction.
***
more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7460008.stm




"Sixty Minutes" also did a story on this.




Oh, and BTW ...

Carbofuran has one of the highest acute toxicities to humans of any insecticide widely used on field crops (only aldicarb and parathion are more toxic). A quarter teaspoon ( 1 mL) can be fatal. Most carbofuran is applied by commercial applicators using closed systems with engineered controls so there is no exposure to it in preparation. Since its toxic effects are due to its activity as a cholinesterase inhibitor it is considered a neurotoxic pesticide.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbofuran

[Swamp Rat]

8. Excellent!!! Kudos to Lisa Jackson, the EPA and the Obama Administration!

:applause: