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Pallone Slams Pruitt’s Decision on Toxic Pesticide

March 30, 2017

Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) issued the following statement today in response to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt's decision to override the scientific consensus of his own agency, which had recommended that the pesticide chlorpyrifos be permanently banned nationwide due to its highly toxic and harmful effects:

"Today, the Trump Administration ignored overwhelming scientific evidence and denied a petition to ban a dangerous pesticide. Chlorpyrifos causes serious neurodevelopmental harm in infants and children, including delayed mental development, attention problems, and autism spectrum disorders. The EPA itself found these effects in a rigorous risk assessment vetted by the Science Advisory Panel. The EPA also found that chlorpyrifos is present on food and in our drinking water at unsafe levels, in blatant violation of our pesticide safety standards. The evidence is clear, and so is the law. Today's action by President Trump and Administrator Pruitt shows a blatant disregard for public health and for the wellbeing of our children, and it will not withstand inevitable court challenge."

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