“A federal court overturned the EPA’s ban on the neurotoxic pesticide Chlorpyrifos. Chlorpyrifos is in the organophosphates class of chemicals and was developed by the ***** for chemical warfare during the World War. Research shows that even small quantities of chloropyrifos and organophosphates can cause permanent damage to the brains of children, including reduced IQ, ADD, and loss of working memory. In adults, chloropuraphos damages the nervous system and can cause mild or severe symptoms based on the exposure levels. Chlorpyrifos is sprayed on crops such as sugar, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, fruit trees, wheat, and soybeans to kill and prevent pests. In 2021, the EPA banned all uses of Chlorpyrifos in food crops. However, a group of beet, sugar, soy, wheat, cherry, fruit, cotton, and vegetable organizations, as well as Garda Chemicals International and CropLife America filed a lawsuit against the EPA’s ban. As a result, a federal appeals court overturned EPA’s ban in November 2023 and said the EPA’s ban was arbitrary and capricious. The court ruled that the EPA didn’t thoroughly consider whether there are any safe applications for chloropyrifos. On December 19, 2023, the EPA announced that it would allow tolerances for use of Chloropyrifos for 11 food and feed crops. These crops include alfalfa, apple, asparagus, tart cherry, citrus, cotton, peach, soybean, strawberry, sugar beet, and spring and winter wheat. Chlorpyrifos is not permitted for use on organic goods.”
