Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt just overruled the recommendation of EPA scientists, rejecting a petition to ban the dangerous pesticide chlorpyrifos.1
EPA studies show that this pesticide affects fetal brain growth during pregnancy and causes neurological disorders. But instead of listening to his own agency's research, Pruitt sided with Dow Chemical and a way of thinking that puts business as usual ahead of protecting our health.2 This is exactly the kind of thing we were afraid of when President Trump selected Scott Pruitt to run the EPA -- an agency that Pruitt sued 14 times as Oklahoma's attorney general.3 Now it's up to us to raise awareness and take action. * Will you chip in to help us demand a reversal of this anti-science decision? <http://pin.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=uhEgR%2BiesI9nIAE4Dn0lRhyYPOOjl8Cg>* Chlorpyrifos is so toxic that it has been banned from use in household products since 2000. In the last decade, several large-scale studies have found that children with the chemical in their bloodstream had lower IQ scores than children who didn't, and that farmers who used chlorpyrifos-based pesticides suffered from memory loss and other neurological disorders.4 To combat the effects, farmers now wear protective clothing when using chlorpyrifos.5 * Think about that. The chemical is so dangerous that farmers have to wear protective clothing, but they're spraying it on our fruit trees and vegetable plants.* In 2007, a coalition of environmental groups filed a petition to ban the use of chlorpyrifos.6 The law was on their side: Legally, the EPA is required to ban use of a chemical if it cannot be proven safe.7 *But now Scott Pruitt shut down any further review of chlorpyrifos until 2022, putting people at risk for years to come.*8 We're committed to continuing our work to protect bees, achieve 100% renewable energy, and more. But we need your help to hold Scott Pruitt accountable and make sure the EPA can continue its work protecting us and our environment. *Will you chip in to help protect our health and environment? <http://pin.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=8C697wzWsaPaeeGeulkHjhyYPOOjl8Cg>* Thanks for making it all possible. Yours, Heather Leibowitz Environment New York Director 1. E.P.A. Chief, Rejecting Agency's Science, Chooses Not to Ban Insecticide <http://pin.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=HBRc8TmA0uzDkmfChuk97xyYPOOjl8Cg>, The New York Times, March 29, 2017 2. Ibid. 3. Scott Pruitt won't protect America's air, water or families <http://pin.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Fq77tQHmlU8aIpIJdu3fchyYPOOjl8Cg>, Environment America, February 2, 2017 4. EPA Decides Not To Ban A Pesticide, Despite Its Own Evidence Of Risk <http://pin.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Oqb1f1YIOddT9ZpkryZDcxyYPOOjl8Cg>, NPR, March 29, 2017 5. Ibid. 6. Pruitt chooses not to ban pesticide after scientists find neurotoxicity <http://pin.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2F5MSHSFlhL%2Fg6PmGTrVxdhyYPOOjl8Cg>, Ars Technica, March 30, 2017 7. E.P.A. Chief, Rejecting Agency's Science, Chooses Not to Ban Insecticide <http://pin.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=OCv5hyUh1nsQEFKSZ4yWxByYPOOjl8Cg>, The New York Times, March 29, 2017 8. Ibid. Environment New York: Clean Air, Clean Water, Open Space 255 W. 36th St., Ste. 1201, New York, NY 10018, (646) 473-0905 Facebook <http://pin.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=VHRro%2FNrn9aSeioBDHhOzhyYPOOjl8Cg> | Twitter <http://pin.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=IQcONRgoNa42kmD6I2oHYxyYPOOjl8Cg> -- *"The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard,but must be felt with the heart." * *— Helen Keller <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Keller>* For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ If you have questions about this list please contact the list manager, Tom Shelley, at t...@cornell.edu.
