Instant Alert: The EPA decided not to ban a pesticide that its own scientists say causes brain damage in kids

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   The EPA decided not to ban a pesticide that its own scientists say causes brain damage in kids by Rafi Letzter and Associated Press on Mar 30, 2017, 10:39 AM Advertisement The Environmental Protection Agency has rejected a bid by environmental groups to ban a common pesticide used on citrus fruits, apples, cherries and other crops. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt on Wednesday denied a petition to ban the agricultural pesticide chlorpyrifos, reversing a proposal by the Obama administration to ban all uses of the pesticide on food. The decision came after a federal court ordered the agency to come to a decision by Friday. In the decision, the EPA wrote that the question of whether it's dangerous to use chlorpyrifos on crops remains "unresolved." However, EPA scientists had previously determined that the chemical – which is already banned in household settings — was indeed dangerous to children and farm workers. A study at Columbia University found traces chlorpyrifos in the umbilical chords of infants, and found that even a small amount ot exposure can have measurable impacts on people's brains. Environmental groups described the EPA ruling as unconscionable. But Dow Chemical, which makes the product, praised the decision. (Dow has argued that the science regarding risks associated with chlorpyrifos is inconclusive.) The pesticide, which has been in use since 1965, has sickened dozens of farmworkers in recent years. Traces have also been found in waterways, threatening fish populations. Regulators also say overuse could make targeted insects immune to the pesticide. U.S. farms use more than 5 million pounds of the chemical each year — about 25% of it in California. Pruitt, formerly the attorney general of Oklahoma, was a fierce opponent of EPA regulations in his previous role, and worked closely with fossil fuel industries to fight the agency's limits on pollution. His selection to lead the agency was opposed by 800 former EPA staffers. Since taking office, Pruitt has continued to express support for limiting the scope of his agency's authority. SEE ALSO: Scott Pruitt's emails reinforce his coziness with the very industries the EPA regulates   Share the latest business news with your network:    Email sent to:   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011