In late November, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will “vacate its approval” of “Enlist Duo,” an herbicide registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), which is now believed to be more harmful than initially thought. Approved a year or so ago, the herbicide was developed for use on corn and soybean crops, but has turned out to potentially cause “unreasonable effects to the environment,” which also means effects to the human health and the public.
Carcinogenic Ingredients
Although the lawsuit that originally gave rise to the recall cited concerns about effects to threatened and endangered animal species, one of the main ingredients in the herbicide—glyphosate—is a probable carcinogen that causes serious human health effects. Using it as an active ingredient in the process of growing food is thus a serious concern.
How Did The Herbicide Get On The Market?
What has food safety advocates concerned is how the herbicide got the “green light” in the first place, in spite of this recall. It also has consumers wondering if these products are adequately tested before being placed on the market and having serious effects on health and livelihoods.
Although Enlist Duo has been recalled, it is only one of many products that specifically use glyphosate. In April, the EPA announced that, given how widespread glyphosate is used on wheat, corn, soybeans, beets, and other crops, the government may need to sample food products specifically for the its level of presence on our food. The government currently tests our food products for evidence of certain herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, and other agricultural chemicals to make sure any residue associated with these chemicals is not present in an amount that would be toxic to human health, but it does not yet specifically test them for toxic levels of glyphosate, which could be deleterious to human health.
Used Close to Home
Louisiana was one of several states where the EPA had approved use of the herbicide, along with Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and North Dakota. On the product’s label, it states that it is toxic to fish, and should not be applied directly to water, areas with surface water, or those below the mean high water mark because runoff could adversely affect and be hazardous to organisms in water adjacent to treated areas.
Environmental Hazard & Injury Attorneys in Louisiana
While the public trusts that our food supply is safe, there are many unknowns. In fact, many pesticides make their way onto the market and are used before it is discovered that they are toxic to the environment and people.
The New Orleans-based Harrell & Nowak have spent years litigating against parties who cause environmental hazards and injuries to people and communities. We have helped many receive compensation for their injuries. If you have been the victim of a toxic substance, contact us today for a free consultation.