Hawaii made history and became the first state in the US to ban the pesticide chlorpyrifos. This pesticide is highly toxic neurotoxin that causes damages in the development of the brain in children. These terrifying health effects made the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) propose banning all of its agricultural uses.
The bill is a significant step forward in protecting public health from the harm of the pesticides for Hawaii. In addition to banning chlorpyrifos, the bill requires all users of RUP (Restricted Use Pesticides) their usage of these pesticides. Also, mandates minimum 100-foot no-spray zones for RUPs around schools during school hours.
According to the attorney for the public interest group Center for Food Safety, Sylvia Wu, this is a major stepping stone and Hawaii is moving one step closer towards better legislation. “Today the Hawaii State Legislature finally heard the voice of its people. By banning the toxic pesticide, chlorpyrifos, Hawaii is taking action that Pruitt’s EPA refused to take,” said Wu, “and by taking the first step towards pesticide policies that will provide for more protection for children as well as more transparency, the Hawaii State Legislature is acknowledging that it must protect its residents from the harmful effects of agricultural pesticide use.”.
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