Since Rachel Carson published Silent Spring in 1962, DDT, or dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, has been the most publicized pesticide banned by the Environmental Protection Agency. Pesticide use and its dangers were first brought to light by Rachel Carson but have remained a mainstream topic since. Whether you are a consumer purchasing produce, or a farmer considering spraying your field, you are a part of the conversation. Farmland and produce are not the only affected factors in the pesticide conversation though. Water system contamination is a major concern when dangerous pesticides are being used. The EPA recently announced that they filed intent to ban flubendiamide, a pesticide widely used in California.

Flubendiamide is an insecticide manufactured by Bayer Cropscience. It is a water-soluble dispersing granule that is hazardous to the person applying it and the environment. Flubendiamide is mostly used in California in almond, alfalfa, pepper, and watermelon production. This pesticide was banned not because of the dangers it poses to humans but because it accumulates in streams and waterways. Once accumulated, it kills small aquatic organisms such as crustaceans, and insects.

Bayer Cropscience was asked by the EPA to pull pesticides voluntarily from the marketplace. Bayer turned down the EPA stating that it would not pull those products. A judge will make a final ruling since the passing of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. requires it.

Maya Lantgios

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-epa-bans-pesticide-20160301-story.html
http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/03/01/468743132/in-an-unusual-move-the-epa-tries-to-pull-pesticide-from-market
http://blogs.uoregon.edu/ajacobssu13gateway/timeline/