EU Commission announces review of pesticide chlorpyrifos
The review of chlorpyrifos is one of the first-ever cases in which an approved pesticide is being reviewed. Chlorpyrifos, an insecticide used on grapes and potatoes, was approved provisionally in 2006.
A study published earlier this year showed: "Prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos (CPF), an organophosphate insecticide, is associated with neurobehavioral deficits in humans and animal models."
These new findings increase concern that chlorpyrifos is harmful to health and that the present EU standards may not be protective enough. In June 2012, the German institute for risk assessment advocated for a reassessment of the human health risks associated with chlorpyrifos.
In addition, chlorpyrifos is a persistent and bio accumulative chemical in the environment and can travel long distances. It is shown to be present almost everywhere in the environment, food and air, even in the Arctic.
More information on the US studies:
- Brain anomalies in children exposed prenatally to a common organophosphate pesticide
- Does the home environment and the sex of the child modify the adverse effects of 2 prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos on child working memory?
Last updated on 12 December 2012
