EPA Says No Special Review of 2,4-D Needed

Washington, D.C.--Following its recent decision to re-register 2,4 dichloro-phenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its decision not to initiate a Special Review of 2,4-D, one of the most widely used herbicides in the U.S. and around the world. EPA's decision states: "Because the agency has determined that the existing data do not support a conclusion that links human cancer to 2,4-D exposure, it has decided not to initiate a Special Review of 2,4-D, 2,4-DB and 2,4-DP." EPA first considered Special Review for 2,4-D in 1986, and after more than 21 years of research and re-registration evaluation, the agency was able to determine that no correlation exists between the proper use of 2,4-D and cancer. "Based on extensive scientific review of many epidemiology and animal studies, the Agency finds that the weight of the evidence does not support a conclusion that 2,4-D, 2,4-DB and 2,4-DP are likely human carcinogens," according to a notice released by EPA. The herbicides 2,4-DB and 2,4-DP were considered for Special Review based solely on their similarity for 2,4-D. "The impact of this decision should not be understated," said Jack Dutra, executive director of the Industry Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data. "Today EPA definitively stated that 2,4-D is not a human carcinogen. This has been one of the most widely used and successful herbicides in history, and growers around the U.S. and the world will continue to use it with confidence." Since 1989, the Industry Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data developed and submitted to EPA over 300 Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) toxicology, environmental and residue studies with EPA scientists reviewed to assess the herbicide's safety under the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). The Industry Task Force II will develop studies required by EPA's reregistration review of 2,4-D, most of which are being required of all pesticides. To learn more about 2,4-D visit www.24d.org or call 800-345-5109. The full text of EPA's decision may be found at: www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2007/August/Day-08/p15109