(Washington, DC, August 9, 2007) – Following its recent
decision to reregister 2,4 dichloro-phenoxyacetic acid
(2,4-D), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
yesterday announced its Decision Not to Initiate a
Special Review of 2,4-D, one of the most widely used
herbicides in the U.S. and around the world. (Link
to the EPA decision)
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EPA’s decision states:
“Because the Agency has determined that the existing
data do not support a conclusion that links human
cancer to 2,4-D exposure, it has decided not to
initiate a Special Review of 2,4-D, 2,4-DB and
2,4-DP.”
EPA first considered
Special Review for 2,4-D in 1986, and after more
than 21 years of research and reregistration
evaluation, the Agency was able to determine that no
correlation exists between the proper use of 2,4-D
and cancer. |
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“Based on extensive
scientific review of many epidemiology and animal
studies, the Agency finds that the weight of the
evidence does not support a conclusion that 2,4-D,
2,4-DB and 2,4-DP are likely human carcinogens,”
according to a notice released by EPA. The herbicides
2,4-DB and 2,4-DP were also being considered for Special
Review based on their similarity to 2,4-D.
“The impact of this
decision should not be understated,” said Jack Dutra,
executive director of the Industry Task Force II on
2,4-D Research Data. “Today EPA definitively stated that
2,4-D is not a human carcinogen when used according to
label directions. This has been one of the most widely
used and successful herbicides in history, and growers
around the U.S. and the world will continue to use it
with confidence.”
2,4-D is commonly applied
to a variety of crops such as wheat, corn, rice,
soybeans, potatoes, sugar cane, pome fruits, stone
fruits and nuts. It controls invasive species in aquatic
and federally protected areas, and broadleaf weeds in
turf grass. An economic evaluation by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (NAPIAP Report 1-PA-96)
concluded that the loss of 2,4-D would cost the U.S.
economy $1.7 billion annually in higher food production
and weed control expenses.
Since 1989, the Industry
Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data developed and
submitted to EPA over 300 Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
toxicology, environmental and residue studies which EPA
scientists reviewed to assess the herbicide’s safety
under the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide
Act (FIFRA) and the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA).
The Industry Task Force II
will continue to develop studies required by EPA’s
reregistration review of 2,4-D, most of which are being
required of all pesticides.
For more information about 2,4-D visit
www.24D.org
or call 1-800-345-5109. |
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About the Task Force
The Industry Task Force II
on 2,4-D Research Data was formed, as allowed under U.S.
pesticide laws, to fund the new research required by
both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the
Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency under their
current pesticide re-registration/re-evaluation
programs. The Task Force does not conduct any research,
it simply must fund it. The actual research, under both
U.S. and Canadian law, must be done by GLP qualified
laboratories. The current companies making up the Task
Force are Dow AgroSciences (U.S.), Nufarm Ltd.
(Australia) and Agro-Gor Corp., a U.S. corporation
jointly owned by Atanor, S.A. (Argentina) and PBI-Gordon
Corp. (U.S.) |
