Builders use hundreds of millions of gallons of Dursban each year
before they begin to lay the foundation of homes. Dow Chemicals
refuted findings on the danger of Dursban by claiming that children
are out of harm's way of the chemical due to the layers of
plastic and concrete that are placed upon the ground beneath new
homes.
Instead of foot dragging and implementing a phase-out deadline,
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took action regarding
the use of the controversial pesticide Dursban. The EPA told Dow
Chemical Co. that they would no longer be able to sell this controversial
pesticide that they had been using as a protectant against termites
in new home construction.
Studies have revealed that the chemical in question, chlorphyrifos,
marketed under the name Dursban, has been tied to neurological and
developmental damage in both animals and young children.
Public health advocates were relieved by the EPA's announcement
and stated it gave them assurance that it would protect the health
of young children by not exposing them to these harmful neurotoxins.
Widespread Use and Effects of Dursban
- Applied to crops and golf courses
- Used to control mosquitoes
- Studies have shown it affects early development in children
without showing any immediate symptoms
Despite the negative findings on Dursban, Dow officials claim the
experiments conducted were flawed and that one study "had nothing
to do with how the compound is used" in practice.
According to the agreement that was made between the EPA and Dow
in 2000, the manufacturer was required to stop production of Dursban
for home building at the end of December 2004. This, however, doesn't
apply to existing stocks of pesticide as they can continue the shipping
of them until December 31, 2005.
As far as the use of pesticide on crops and golf courses, there
are no plans in the near future to cut back on these uses.
PCT
Online.com
December 30, 2004
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