EPA Approves Pesticide Known to Cause Cancer, Miscarriages and Thyroid Problems

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Alert: EPA Approves Pesticide Known to Cause Cancer, Miscarriages and Thyroid ProblemsBackground: (scroll down to bottom of page to take action) http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_7580.cfm -In 1987, the Montreal Protocal, an international treaty to ban ozone depleting chemicals, mandated the phase out of the fumigant methyl bromide, which is used widely in the U.S. on crops like strawberries. The full phase out was to take place over the course of 18 years. -In 2004, the Bush Administration began pushing for exemptions to the treaty to allow the U.S. to continue using chemicals like methyl bromide for economic reasons. -In 2005, the Administration began considering converting methyl bormide use to a new chemical marketed by Arysta Life Sciences known as methyl iodide, which does not deplete the ozone layer. -But unlike many other pesticides, methyl iodide vaporizes quickly, causing it to drift far distances. Although the state of California has categorized it as cancer causing, and the EPA admits it causes thyroid tumors, the agency has been pushing to approve the chemical since 2006. -In a letter to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson on September 25, 2007, the nation's leading chemists asked EPA not to approve methyl iodide without further scientific review. The chemical has been used to induce cancer in laboratory experiments and causes neurological and thyroid problems, as well as miscarriages in studies with laboratory animals. -On October 5, 2007, the EPA approved methyl iodide for widespread use in the U.S., putting farmworkers, families and rural communities at risk. Please send a letter to the EPA requesting they heed the advice of the nation's leading chemists. >>Learn More October 21, 2007 DearStephen Johnson:CC: Senator Barbara BoxerRepresentative Henry WaxmanJames Connaughton, Chair, White House Council on Environmental QualityDear Mr. Johnson,I am deeply concerned about the EPA’s October 5th approval of thepesticide methyl iodide, despite the concerns raised by the nation’stop chemists about the use of this fumigant. This approval should beimmediately revoked.I support the letter sent to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson onSeptember 25, where the nation's leading chemists asked EPA not toapprove methyl iodide without further scientific review. The chemicalhas been used to induce cancer in laboratory experiments and causesneurological and thyroid problems, as well as miscarriages in studieswith laboratory animals. And yet the EPA will now allow farmworkers,families and rural communities to be exposed to this dangerouschemical.Yes, farmers need help moving away from the ozone-depleting fumigantmethyl bromide, but methyl iodide is not the answer. Strawberries andtomatoes are being grown all across the country – and around the world– without dangerous fumigants. EPA should be helping farmers shift tothese less harmful ways to farm, not handing them yet another toxicchemical to depend on.It is very disturbing that EPA ignored the concerns of leadingscientists and approved this dangerous chemical. Congress should take along hard look at the way the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencymakes decisions about pesticides, since this decision is clearly notbased on the best science, and does not protect public health. I lookforward to your reply.Sincerely, Your signature will be added from the information you provide. In order for this message to be successfully delivered to the appropriate contact(s), all fields are required. Title Select TitleMr.Ms.MissMrs.Dr.RabbiFr.Rev.Hon.Br.Sr. First Name*Last Name*Email*Street*Street 2City*State/Region Select One... Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware D.C. Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Alberta British Columbia Manitoba Newfoundland New Brunswick Nova Scotia Northwest Territories Nunavut Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Yukon Territory Other