John,

Chlorpyrifos is a widely-used pesticide linked to children's learning disabilities as well as behavioral disorders. And yet, it is being sprayed on crops across the United States, including on kid-friendly fruits like peaches, apples and cherries.1

Fortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now considering a new rule that would eliminate many uses of chlorpyrifos.2 That would be a huge step forward in our effort to protect consumers and children from this unsafe pesticide.

Tell the EPA to limit chlorpyrifos.

Studies show that when chlorpyrifos is sprayed on crops, traces of the pesticide can remain and end up being consumed. In fact, the EPA has found that children can be exposed to 140 times the safe level of chlorpyrifos.3

How dangerous is chlorpyrifos? Scientists linked higher levels of the pesticide found in moms' umbilical cords with lower I.Q. scores among their children at age 7.4

It's outrageous that the government is still allowing this pesticide to endanger our children. Chlorpyrifos should be banned -- indeed, it already has.

The EPA banned the pesticide on all food crops back in 2021. But because of industry legal challenges, the pesticide was allowed back onto the market and is now once again being sold and used across the country.5

Those legal challenges limit what the EPA can do. But the partial ban the agency is proposing will dramatically reduce usage of the chemical.

Tell the EPA to protect our kids from chlorpyrifos.

The EPA's proposed ban would reduce chlorpyrifos use by about 70%.6 That's not enough, but it's a big step in the right direction.

Eating healthy and delicious fruit is one of the delights of childhood. Children should be able to snack away without being exposed to brain-damaging pesticides. For their sake, we have to get chlorpyrifos out of the food supply chain altogether. This is a start.

Tell the EPA to limit chlorpyrifos pesticide.

Thank you,

Faye Park
President

1. Roni Caryn Rabin, "E.P.A. Again Seeks Limits on a Harmful Pesticide," The New York Times, December 4, 2024.
2. Roni Caryn Rabin, "E.P.A. Again Seeks Limits on a Harmful Pesticide," The New York Times, December 4, 2024.
3. Danielle Megar, "This brain-damaging pesticide was banned in 2021. Now, it's coming back," PIRG, January 4, 2024.
4. Roni Caryn Rabin, "E.P.A. Again Seeks Limits on a Harmful Pesticide," The New York Times, December 4, 2024.
5. Roni Caryn Rabin, "E.P.A. Again Seeks Limits on a Harmful Pesticide," The New York Times, December 4, 2024.
6. Roni Caryn Rabin, "E.P.A. Again Seeks Limits on a Harmful Pesticide," The New York Times, December 4, 2024.

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