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EPA SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON PRELIMINARY RISK ASSESSMENT FOR CHLORPYRIFOS
Release Date: 10/28/99
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FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1999
EPA SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON PRELIMINARY RISK
ASSESSMENT FOR CHLORPYRIFOS
ASSESSMENT FOR CHLORPYRIFOS
As part of EPA Administrator Carol M. Browner’s commitment to reduce the risks from pesticides, EPA is undertaking the most extensive scientific review ever under the Food Quality Protection Act to protect public health, especially the health of children. As part of this effort, the Agency is making available for public and expert comment a preliminary risk assessment for the widely used pesticide chlorpyrifos. This preliminary risk assessment indicated that risks from the use of chlorpyrifos in residential settings, as well as its risks to applicators, are of concern. As EPA moves to final action on chlorpyrifos, which is scheduled for next summer, it will continue to work with the manufacturers and others to take the necessary steps to address the risks. Release of this risk assessment is an initial step in reviewing this pesticide, and EPA is on schedule to fully review this pesticide on the timetable announced by Administrator Browner in August 1999. Chlorpyrifos is one of the most widely used pesticides in the United States, with an estimated 20 to 24 million pounds applied annually. It is used on food crops, in termite control in residential and commercial buildings and in various home and garden products. Chlorpyrifos and other pesticides are being reviewed under the process developed by the Tolerance Reassessment Advisory Committee to determine whether their existing EPA registrations meet stringent, new safety standards required by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. The public will have 60 days to comment on the risk assessment for chlorpyrifos. EPA will then review all comments, publish a revised risk assessment and solicit risk management proposals. Copies of the risk assessment are available on EPA’s web site at: https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/op/status.htm, or from the Pesticide Docket (telephone 703-305-5805).
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