Environmental Leader

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ordered the first test for pesticide chemicals to be screened for their potential effects on the endocrine system. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that disrupt the hormones produced or secreted by human and animal endocrine systems, which regulate growth, metabolism and reproduction, said the EPA.

The EPA has released the test guidelines and schedule for issuing test orders to manufacturers for 67 chemicals during the next four months. The first seven pesticides that will be screened under the agency’s Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) are 2,4-D; atrazine, benfluralin, chlorthal-dimethyl (DCPA), fenbutatin oxide, norflurazon and propargite.

Testing, conducted through EDSP, will eventually expand to cover all pesticide chemicals. The data generated from the screens will provide scientific information to help EPA identify whether additional testing is necessary, or whether other steps are necessary such as further regulation.

Earlier this month, the EPA announced the Obama Administration’s goals to reform the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).