California on Wednesday announced plans to ban chlorpyrifos, a widely used toxic pesticide, blamed for harming brain development in babies. Gavin Newsom (D) also has proposed $5.7 million to support the transition to “safer, more sustainable alternatives,” according to the California Environmental Protection Agency. Last year, Hawaii became the first state to ban pesticides containing chlorpyrifos, though that will not take effect until 2022. New York lawmakers recently approved legislation to ban the pesticide by Dec. 1, 2021. Ultimately, though, we are going to need that federal ban to ensure protection for everybody.”Chlorpyrifos has been used by farmers for decades to kill pests on crops.

Source: Washington Post May 08, 2019 21:11 UTC