 Endosulfan is a dangerous pesticide in the same family of chemicals as DDT, the notorious pesticide that was banned in 1972 because it poisoned people, wildlife, and the environment. Like DDT, endosulfan is a serious threat to people -- especially farmworkers and children. The European Union and many other countries have already recognized this danger and have banned endosulfan's use.
Acute exposure to endosulfan can lead to serious health problems, including nausea, vomiting, brain damage, coma, and even death. Additionally, endosulfan has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer and miscarriage as well as developmental problems in young children. A study found that children exposed to endosulfan when they were fetuses had a significantly higher incidence of autism.
Endosulfan has been found in our food and water supplies and due to its high mobility it has even been detected in remote national parks, on Mount Everest, and in the Arctic! Despite these risks, EPA continues to permit endosulfan's use in agriculture.
The EPA is now deciding whether it should adopt stronger protections to keep endosulfan off of our food and out of our environment. Chemical companies are fighting to keep endosulfan on the market. Don't let the voice of industry be the only one that the EPA hears.
They need to hear from you too!
[This cry for help has been taken straight from a recent newsletter sent out by Earth Justice]Labels: endosulfan, epa, pesticides |
