'Stop the Toxic Treadmill': EPA Sued for Approving Controversial Herbicide
Published on Thursday, October 23, 2014
by Common Dreams
'Stop the Toxic Treadmill': EPA Sued for Approving Controversial Herbicide
Green groups slam the agency for green-lighting Dow Chemical's Enlist Duo, whose key ingredient 2,4-D is also found in Agent Orange
by Sarah Lazare, staff writer
Green groups on Wednesday sued the Environmental Protection Agency over its recent approval of Dow AgroSciences' herbicide Enlist Duo, which farmers and scientists warn threatens human and environmental health.
"The toxic treadmill has to stop," said Jay Feldman, executive director of Beyond Pesticides. "EPA and USDA cannot continue to ignore the history, science, and public opinion surrounding these dangerous chemicals so that a failed and unnecessary system of chemically-dependent agriculture can continue to destroy our health and environment."
The EPA last week approved Enlist Duo for use on corn and soybean crops that are genetically engineered to survive exposure to the herbicide. Wednesday's suit charges the approval was unlawful because the agency failed to adequately consider the human impacts and did not consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Enlist Duo's key ingredient, known as 2,4-D, was also used in Agent Orange, the toxic defoliant used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. Studies find 2,4-D interferes with hormonal and reproductive function and is linked to cancer, liver disease, Parkinson's disease, and other health problems. Scientists warn that 2,4-D builds up in the environment and spreads from one field to another, posing a risk to animals as well as people.
More:
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/10/23/stop-toxic-treadmill-epa-sued-approving-controversial-herbicide