Abstract |
EPA has assessed the risks of chlorpyrifos and reached an Interim Reregistration Eligibility Decision (IRED) for this organophosphate (OP) pesticide. Provided that risk mitigation measures are adopted, chlorpyrifos fits into its own 'risk cup'-its individual, aggregate risks are within acceptable levels. Chlorpyrifos also is eligible for reregistration, pending a full reassessment of the cumulative risk from all OPs. Used on a variety of food and feed crops, golf courses, as a non-structural wood treatment, and as an adult mosquitocide, chlorpyrifos residues in food and drinking water do not pose risk concerns. With mitigation eliminating virtually all homeowner uses, chlorpyrifos fits into its own 'risk cup.' With other mitigation measures, chlorpyrifos worker and ecological risks also will be below levels of concern for reregistration. EPA's next step under the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) is to complete a cumulative risk assessment and risk management decision encompassing all the OP pesticides, which share a common mechanism of toxicity. The interim decision on chlorpyrifos cannot be considered final until this cumulative assessment is complete. |