California Attorney General Rob Bonta has aligned with a coalition of nine attorneys general to address concerns regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposal on chlorpyrifos pesticide residue. The EPA suggests banning chlorpyrifos residue on 70 food crops but permits its presence on 11 others, including alfalfa, apple, asparagus, tart cherry, citrus, cotton, peach, soybean, strawberry, sugar beet, and spring and winter wheat. Since late 2020, California has prohibited the use of chlorpyrifos on all food crops due to health risks associated with residues from imported foods.
Attorney General Bonta emphasized the dangers of chlorpyrifos: “The facts are clear: chlorpyrifos exposure poses a grave danger to a child’s health. This pesticide has no place in our food systems,” he stated. Bonta called for the EPA to completely remove this harmful pesticide from food production.
Chlorpyrifos is known for its acute toxicity and links to neurodevelopmental issues in children. Prenatal exposure can lead to reduced IQ and other developmental challenges. Immediate effects of exposure include symptoms such as vomiting and seizures. Exposure occurs through various means including contaminated food and water.
Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), the EPA must ensure that aggregate exposure to chlorpyrifos does not harm consumers. However, according to the coalition's letter, the EPA has not sufficiently demonstrated safety for residues allowed on 11 specific crops. The attorneys general argue that the EPA's analysis is lacking because it does not establish a safe exposure level for children.
The comment letter was sent by Attorney General Bonta along with his counterparts from New York, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.
A copy of their letter is available online.