EPA is proposing to revoke all food residue tolerances for the insecticide chlorpyrifos. At this time, EPA is unable to make a safety finding as required under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). However, according to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, it is unlikely the changes will take effect before December, 2016.
Chlorpyrifos is widely used to control pests which threaten more than 60 different crops in California, including almonds, alfalfa, walnuts, oranges, cotton and grapes.
Earlier this year, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation changed the state regulations for growers who use chlorpyrifos. Now, the EPA may decide to revoke the food reside tolerances for chlorpyrifos in all states.
Based on EPA’s current analysis, there do not appear to be risks from exposure to chlorpyrifos from food, but, when that exposure is combined with estimated exposure from drinking water in certain watersheds, EPA cannot conclude that the risk from the potential aggregate exposure meets the FFDCA safety standard.
Read a pre-publication version of the proposed tolerance revocation rule.
EPA will accept comments on the proposed rule for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. To submit comments, go to docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0653 at www.regulations.gov.
Visit the EPA website to read more about the proposal to revoke chlorpyrifos food residue tolerances.