EPA May Restrict Dursban

A panel of pesticide experts at the EPA believes that the product can cause neurological damage in humans and poses danger to individuals exposed to the product, particularly pesticide applicators. While the new restrictions, expected to be enacted by the end of next summer, will likely allow for the continued sale of the product, they will call for increased protection measures for workers and homeowners.

Dow AgroSciences responded by saying "three decades of use have shown that chlorpyrifos products can be applied safety by homeowners, gardeners, pest control operators and others."

The EPA panel's report is expected to be most critical of chlorpyrifos uses in turf and pest control applications, with less restrictive recommendations for agricultural applications.

Surprisingly, long-term exposure to the products doesn't concern the EPA as much as immediate contact with product residue following an application.

According to EPA research, between 21 million and 24 million pounds of active ingredient of chlorpyrifos were applied annually across the country since 1987. Of this amount, approximately 2.5 million pounds were applied as part of turf applications, which includes golf courses, turf farms and lawn care applications.

An additional 7 million pounds of chlorpyrifos active ingredient was applied by structural pest control operators.