EPA Denies Ban of Weed Killer

The Environmental Protection Agency announced that it denied a petition from an environmental group that wanted to revoke the approval of a widely used weed killer called 2, 4-D.

The agency cited that the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) failed to show that the weed killer would be harmful in the manner that it is used, according to the New York Times.

2, 4-D is an ingredient used in many home lawn-care products and farming. It was also used as an ingredient in Agent Orange, a chemical used in the Vietnam War and is said to have injured many American soldiers and Vietnamese people, according to the Times.

The NRDC first wanted to have the substance revoked in 2008 because various studies suggest that exposure to it could cause hormone disruption, cancer, genetic mutations, and neurotoxicity. It also added that the EPA underestimated the amount that people—particularly children—might be exposed to the chemical through skin contact, dust, and breast milk. It sued the EPA in February for not responding to their petition quickly enough.

The EPA said that although some studies suggest that high doses of 2, 4-D may be harmful, they did not establish lack of safety and in some instances other studies contradicted them.

Many people may find this ruling to be surprising because the state of California deemed it to be a toxic air contaminant and the EPA classified it to be a hazardous air pollutant.

If you or someone you know has been harmed by an unsafe product, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation.

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