"environmental protection agency" news and stories

Just as our thoughts are turning to farm-fresh summer produce, here comes this bit of good news: the Environmental Protection Agency has announced a ban on endosulfan, a toxic pesticide related to DDT and one of the last of its kind to remain on the market in the U.S.

The ban may have come too late for this growing season, but by next year we could all be enjoying a whole bevy of veggies that are free of endosulfan residues: cucumbers, summer squash, green beans, lettuce and tomatoes. These, according to WhatsOnMyFood.com, are some of the produce with the highest traces of endosulfan. Celery, apples, peaches and kale are also affected.

Besides those of us who thrill at the sight of big leafy green baskets of kale, farm workers are also celebrating the ban. It was their union that led the charge in challenging a decision by the federal government eight years ago that growers could still use endosulfan with some restrictions. Since then more and more scientific studies have pointed to the hazards of a chemical compound that (like its cousin DDT) has a propensity to accumulate in the bodies of humans and wildlife. Tests in lab animals have demonstrated endosulfan's toxic effects on the nervous system as well as on the kidneys, liver and male reproductive organs. (No doubt lab animals are celebrating the ban, too.)

A chemical in Teflon and other cookware serves up more than just food. The US Environmental Protection Agency announced that they have asked the 8 largest manufacturers that use chemicals known as perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, to reduce production by 95 per cent by 2010 and to stop using it completely by 2015 because they have been shown to cause cancer and reproductive problems. They are classifying the chemicals in the same way that they classify mercury and lead - as a poison that remains in the body forever - but it is disturbing to note that these are found in almost every American. It is possible that it is present in far more people around the world, but some countries do not monitor the presence of perfluorochemicals (PFCs). The chemicals are used in nonstick cookware, water and grease resistant products and packaging, microwave popcorn bags, in addition to non-food related items, such as textiles and carpeting.

Companies such as Dupont, which has been involved in lawsuits before regarding their use of the PFOA known as C8, have up until this time stood by a claim that their perfluorochemicals are nonhazardous, despite evidence that they knew it was harmful. Dupont and others are now publicly pledging their support to eliminate the use of potentially hazardous chemicals in their products.

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