EPA Desk Statement Regarding Pesticides – Carcinogenity Review
March 2, 1995
Desk Statement
On February 27, 1995, a study was published in the American Journal of Public Health entitled “Home Pesticide Use and Childhood Cancer. ” EPA is currently reviewing this study and recognizes that it presents some areas of concern and a basis for further investigation. However, as noted by the study’s authors, the specific methods used to measure actual exposure were crude. In addition, the study looks at broad uses of pesticides used in and around homes. e.g., yard pesticides, and not specific chemicals. Thus, the insufficient information regarding what children were exposed to prevents use of this study by EPA as a basis for regulatory action.
It is important to put this new epidemiological” study into its proper context. A single epidemiological study only rarely can establish a causative relationship between an exposure and an effect. Therefore, findings must be interested in the context of the entire epidemiological and toxicological literature to establish a cause and effect relationship. However, it just makes sense to take reasonable steps to avoid undue exposure. Where possible, persons who potentially are more sensitive, such as pregnant women and infants (less than two years old), should avoid any unnecessary pesticide exposure.
EPA has several activities underway that are providing a better understanding of the potential risks to children from household pesticide exposure. The Agency has already taken action to identify and eliminate a number of carcinogens from the market. EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs is making substantial progress in its efforts to reregister existing pesticides that were originally registered when standards were less stringent. This comprehensive updating of pesticide safety to meet current standards is critical to protecting human health and the environment. Thousands of studies have already been submitted by registrants and EPA is placing highest priority on core public health studies on cancer, reproductive and developmental effects.
EPA along with other Federal agencies is working to reduce cancer hazards in children. EPA and the National Cancer Institute are involved in a major five-year study of farm families in Iowa and North Carolina. The results from this study will be used to help identify specific pesticides requiring regulatory intervention. The first year of this study has already been completed.
EPA in coordination with FDA and USDA is addressing the concerns identified by the National Academy of Sciences report, Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children. As a follow-up to this report, EPA is developing better measures of children’s risks from exposure by multiple routes (e.g. food, home, yards, etc.). Ultimately, the full combined lifetime exposure from dietary and nondietary exposure will be accounted for so that children are fully protected.
EPA’s Offices of Pesticide Programs and Research and Development are jointly developing residential exposure guidelines. This work includes looking at activity patterns of children (e.g., activities on floors, lawns, and other surfaces) so that the Agency understands better all potential sources of exposure when assessing home use pesticides.
A number of Agency activities are oriented towards reducing excessive use of pesticides and making existing uses safer for children. Information recently collected on pesticide incident from registrants and poison control centers is being used to modify labeling and packaging of products to further reduce exposure. A pesticide consumer labeling unit was formed in July 1994 to ensure that product labels are clear, technically accurate and consistent. In addition, a Consumer Labeling Initiative Task Force was recently formed to improve consumer safety, foster environmental improvement and empower consumer choices by presenting clear and useful health and environmental information on consumer product labels. Consumers will be able to make responsible choices among pesticide products based on their own needs and to use products safely as directed.
The Agency also continues to encourage all consumers who use pesticide products to take basic, common-sense precautions:
Read the label first and follow the directions to the letter, including all precautions and restrictions.
Before applying pesticides (indoors and outdoors), remove children and their toys, as well as pets, from the area. Keep them away until the pesticide has dried or as long as is recommended by the label.
Never place rodent or insect baits (including strips) where small children can get to them.
Avoid unnecessary use of pesticides. Use them when needed in conjunction with other pest management strategies.
If it is necessary to have your home treated make sure that this is done by a licensed pest control company.
For a more comprehensive list of precautions, please see attached fact – sheet on Pesticides and Child Safety .
