EPA Phasing Out Use of the Pesticide Endosulfan

On Thursday, May 10th the EPA announced that it would begin phasing out all uses of the organochlorine pesticide endosulfan. According to the Agency the pesticide is particularly harmful to both workers and the environment, and is labeled as a Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxicant.

Despite those hazards, the chemical poses no dietary risks for those who eat foods treated with the substance, so nochanges will be made to accepted tolerance levels for endosulfan on exposed commodities. The registrant, Makhteshim Agan of North America, reached anagreement with the EPA that some uses will be canceled by the end of 2010;the cancellation of other uses in 3 years;and the cancellation of the remaining uses in 6 years. The registrant will attempt to include the following crops in the 3 or 6 year phase out: tomatoes, apples, cantaloupes, pears, cotton, strawberries, potatoes, squash, cucumbers, pumpkins, lettuce, sweet corn, cabbage and tobacco.

Endosulfan use has dropped considerably in the last decade, but about 400,000 pounds of the pesticideare still used every year, mainly on cotton and specialty crops. Further details on the EPA's decision can be found at www.epa.gov/pesticides.