Although the US Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not prohibit the use of organophosphate pesticides like chlorpyrifos, the California Environmental Protection Agency has initiated steps to ban these drugs throughout the state.
“This pesticide is a neurotoxin,” California Environment Minister Jared Blumenfeld told the Associated Press.
Since the federal government has authorized its continued use, California joins Hawaii, New York, Oregon, Connecticut, and New Jersey, which have all approved bans or are considering removing chlorpyrifos from the market, taking control of the matter. A California ban or cancellation of the use of these pesticides may take effect in two years.
California Governor Gavin Newsome “did what the Trump administration refused to do: protect children, farmers, and millions of other people from the effects of this neurotoxic pesticide,” said Ken Cook, president of the environmental working group.
According to The Washington Post, the governor also offered about $ 5.7 million in funding to help the agricultural industry move to safer alternatives.
“This is a historic victory for California’s agricultural communities and for children across the country,” said Miriam Rotkin-Ellman of the Natural Resources Defense Council. "Science clearly shows that chlorpyrifos is too dangerous to use in our area."
