Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
EPA Announces It Won't Ban Pesticide That Its Own Experts Say Is Linked To Serious Health Problems In Children
The New York Times: E.P.A. Won’t Ban Chlorpyrifos, Pesticide Tied To Children’s Health Problems
The Trump administration took a major step to weaken the regulation of toxic chemicals on Thursday when the Environmental Protection Agency announced that it would not ban a widely used pesticide that its own experts have linked to serious health problems in children. The decision by Andrew R. Wheeler, the E.P.A. administrator, represents a victory for the chemical industry and for farmers who have lobbied to continue using the substance, chlorpyrifos, arguing it is necessary to protect crops. (Friedman, 7/18)
Reuters: Trump EPA Allows Use Of Controversial Pesticide
The agency denied the petition by a dozen environmental groups, led by Earthjustice, to ban the pesticide. They said studies show that exposures to the pesticide is liked to low birth weight, reduced IQ, attention disorders and other issues in infants and children. The Obama administration's EPA had banned the use of chlorpyrifos in 2015 after it decided it could not be certain whether exposure to the chemical in food and water would be harmful. But Trump's first EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt, reversed that decision in 2017, prompting an ongoing legal battle. (7/18)
Politico: EPA Will Not Ban Chlorpyrifos
The EPA, in a notice that will be posted to the Federal Register, said further examination of epidemiological studies of health risks associated with chlorpyrifos is necessary before the agency can make a final decision on its safety. The agency said “there is good reason” to continue allowing farmers to use chlorpyrifos, “given the importance of this matter and the fact that critical questions remained regarding the significance of the data addressing neurodevelopmental effects.” (Crampton, 7/18)
CNN: EPA Declines Requests To Ban Pesticide Chlorpyrifos
"By allowing chlorpyrifos to stay in our fruits and vegetables, Trump's EPA is breaking the law and neglecting the overwhelming scientific evidence that this pesticide harms children's brains," said attorney Patti Goldman of Earthjustice, who represents the groups that took the issue to court. (Wallace and Kaufman, 7/18)
In other environmental health news —
The Associated Press: New Hampshire Sets Tough Drinking Water Standards For PFAS
New Hampshire has voted to put into place some of the country's toughest drinking water standards for a class of toxic chemicals that were once used in everything from firefighting foam to nonstick cookware but are now raising health concerns. A joint legislative committee Thursday approved three measures allowing standards for compounds known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, collectively called PFAS, to go into effect. (7/18)
KQED: State Regulators Move To Protect Workers From Wildfire Smoke
Wildfire smoke isn’t great for anybody, but a new rule California regulators vote on today recognizes that it’s particularly dangerous for workers while they’re on the job. The state’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board will decide whether to require employers to offer workers additional protections under specific circumstances when air quality is poor. The move comes after especially active fire seasons in 2017 and 2018. (Peterson, 7/18)
