4 ms·

US EPA proposes to allow chlormequat on food crops

8 points by Jimmc414 3y ago

mydriasis 3y ago
Exposure to high levels of chlormequat has been linked to developmental toxicity in animal models. It also affects reproduction in mammals. [0] Can we not? [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlormequat https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlormequat
- Jimmc414 3y ago
  "It [chlormequat] is classified as an extremely hazardous substance in the United States as defined in Section 302 of the U.S. Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (42 U.S.C. 11002), and is subject to strict reporting requirements by facilities which produce, store, or use it in significant quantities." This doesn't feel like environmental protection. Who thinks this is a good idea? What am I missing?
  - mydriasis 3y ago
    I'm wondering if someone is sitting on a bunch of this stuff and wants a quick way to get rid of it...? EDIT: ( highly speculative, of course )
Kon-Peki 3y ago
Published May 3, 2023 > The agency is seeking public comments on those residue levels, measures to reduce spray drift, and requirements to protect agricultural workers. Comments are due May 26. We missed it. Any idea what happened?
- Jimmc414 3y ago
  Here are the public comments for reference. It looks like it's mostly emphatic pleas to extend the comment period or change course. https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OPP-2021-0290-0025 https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OPP-2021-0290-00...
rolph 3y ago
"abstract":"<p>US grain producers may soon have a new tool to help improve crop yields in the face of increasingly-severe weather events related to climate change. Against the wishes of environmental groups, the US Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to allow outdoor use of chlormequat chloride , a plant growth regulator, on barley, oat, triticale, and wheat. Taminco US, a subsidiary of Eastman Chemical, petitioned the EPA to allow such uses in 2021. Regulators did not find any risks of concern to human health, including to infants and children, but they did identify risks to workers who handle the pesticide and to some wildlife. Chlormequat is currently allowed on ornamentals in greenhouses and nurseries in the US. The chemical blocks hormones that stimulate growth, resulting in shorter and thicker stems that are less prone to breaking and bending. Earlier this year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) sounded the alarm after finding</p>", "dateModified": "2023-05-03 13:23:07.223-0400", "keywords": "Pesticides, Agriculture, Consumer Safety, growth regulator, chlormequat chloride", "copyrightHolder": "Chemical & Engineering News", "publication": "Chemical & Engineering News", "copyrightYear": "2023", "alternativeHeadline": "", "headline": "EPA proposes to allow chlormequat on food", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "American Chemical Society", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://cen.acs.org/apps/cen-cloud/clientlibs/misc/cen/images/favicon.i https://cen.acs.org/apps/cen-cloud/clientlibs/misc/cen/image...

8 points by Jimmc414 3y ago

Exposure to high levels of chlormequat has been linked to developmental toxicity in animal models. It also affects reproduction in mammals. [0] Can we not? [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlormequat https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlormequat

Jimmc414 3y ago
"It [chlormequat] is classified as an extremely hazardous substance in the United States as defined in Section 302 of the U.S. Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (42 U.S.C. 11002), and is subject to strict reporting requirements by facilities which produce, store, or use it in significant quantities." This doesn't feel like environmental protection. Who thinks this is a good idea? What am I missing?
- mydriasis 3y ago
  I'm wondering if someone is sitting on a bunch of this stuff and wants a quick way to get rid of it...? EDIT: ( highly speculative, of course )

Kon-Peki 3y ago

Published May 3, 2023 > The agency is seeking public comments on those residue levels, measures to reduce spray drift, and requirements to protect agricultural workers. Comments are due May 26. We missed it. Any idea what happened?

Jimmc414 3y ago
Here are the public comments for reference. It looks like it's mostly emphatic pleas to extend the comment period or change course. https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OPP-2021-0290-0025 https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OPP-2021-0290-00...

rolph 3y ago

"abstract":"<p>US grain producers may soon have a new tool to help improve crop yields in the face of increasingly-severe weather events related to climate change. Against the wishes of environmental groups, the US Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to allow outdoor use of chlormequat chloride , a plant growth regulator, on barley, oat, triticale, and wheat. Taminco US, a subsidiary of Eastman Chemical, petitioned the EPA to allow such uses in 2021. Regulators did not find any risks of concern to human health, including to infants and children, but they did identify risks to workers who handle the pesticide and to some wildlife. Chlormequat is currently allowed on ornamentals in greenhouses and nurseries in the US. The chemical blocks hormones that stimulate growth, resulting in shorter and thicker stems that are less prone to breaking and bending. Earlier this year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) sounded the alarm after finding</p>", "dateModified": "2023-05-03 13:23:07.223-0400", "keywords": "Pesticides, Agriculture, Consumer Safety, growth regulator, chlormequat chloride", "copyrightHolder": "Chemical & Engineering News", "publication": "Chemical & Engineering News", "copyrightYear": "2023", "alternativeHeadline": "", "headline": "EPA proposes to allow chlormequat on food", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "American Chemical Society", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://cen.acs.org/apps/cen-cloud/clientlibs/misc/cen/images/favicon.i https://cen.acs.org/apps/cen-cloud/clientlibs/misc/cen/image...