Exposure to low levels of the pesticide in early life can lead to increased risk of learning disabilities, including reductions in IQ, developmental delay, and behavioral problems, such as ADHD. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s own scientific analysis showed that the amount of chlorpyrifos ingested by young children through sprayed fruits and vegetables could exceed safety levels by 140 times. Yet, Trump’s EPA refused to follow through on a previously proposed ban of the pesticide.
So we took them to court—and won. The judges agreed that the EPA’s delay was illegal and ordered the agency to finalize its proposed ban on treating produce sold in the U.S. with chlorpyrifos. After a decade of advocacy by NRDC, this is a significant win for public health and, in particular, the health of our children.
There’s still work to be done. NRDC and our members will continue to keep pressure on the EPA and Congress to stop the use of chlorpyrifos and similarly toxic pesticides nationwide.
