SACRAMENTO — State officials said Friday that they have begun a process that could lead to increased restrictions on chlorpyrifos, one of the most widely used agricultural pesticides in the nation.
The California Department of Pesticide Regulations (DPR) and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment are pursuing “health protections” regarding the use of the pesticide, the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) announced Friday.
The DPR released an updated draft risk assessment for public comment. The action marked the start of a public and scientific review of the document, which could lead to increased restrictions on chlorpyrifos statewide.
DPR is currently developing interim restrictions on the use of the pesticide and recommendations will be made to county agricultural commissioners in September.
This includes increasing distances between sites where the chemical is applied and locations such as homes and schools. The restrictions could also include changes to application methods.
In addition, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is referring chlorpyrifos for potential listing as a developmental toxicant.
“While chlorpyrifos have been protecting crops for more than 50 years, new information in the scientific community leads us to believe the level of risk it poses is greater than previously known,” said CalEPA Secretary Matthew Rodriquez. “We need to better understand the science to ensure our actions protect public health. The actions we are taking today reflect our commitment to the health and safety of all Californians, and the environment.”
Pesticide Action Network spokesman Paul Towers said the proposal falls short by not including a study of neurotoxicity.
He added that the levels of the pesticide found on food and in drinking water call for tighter restrictions.
“Given what we know of the impacts on the developing brain, the DPR should take the biggest step to protect our most vulnerable population,” he said.
Mark Weller, co-director of Californians for Pesticide Reform, agreed.
“Their revised risk assessment, just released and available for public comment until October 2, fails to consider the well-documented brain-harming effects of this pesticide,” he said in a prepared statement. “Any mitigations that result from such a flawed risk assessment will undoubtedly fall far short.”
While DPR scientists believe chlorpyrifos may pose a public health risk as a toxic air contaminant, the new finding has not been peer reviewed and must go through a public comment period and be independently evaluated by other scientists.
On Sept. 15, DPR will hold a public workshop on the updated draft risk assessment at the Pesticide Registration and Evaluation Committee meeting in Sacramento.
After the 45-day written public comment period, which began Friday, DPR’s updated draft risk assessment will go before an independent panel of nine scientists known as the Scientific Review Panel.
The review process, which may ultimately lead to more restrictions on use, may conclude in December 2018.
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DPR’s updated draft risk assessment and other documents relating to chlorpyrifos are available at www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/whs/active_ingredient/chlorpyrifos.htm.
