CropLife America supports EPA's two-phase endocrine screening system

CropLife America (CLA) saluted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP), which recently released its Tier 1 Weight of Evidence results for its risk- and exposure-based approach.

The recent results stem from a 2009 EPA order to screen 67 pesticide compounds to see any potential effect on estrogen, androgen and thyroid pathways based on 11 scientific analyses. Any substances found to potentially have an effect are moved on to more stringent tests in Phase 2, after which the EPA determines if the products can be used normally.

"The crop protection and chemical industries support EPA's development of a two-tiered approach to protect public health from chemicals with unintended, harmful effects," CLA President and CEO Jay Vroom said. "Through the thoroughly developed approach of the EDSP, EPA can separate effective chemicals that benefit society from ones that should not be near people. CLA members have committed significant resources to develop the EDSP, and our industry will continue to work with EPA to help get effective products to growers so that everyone has access to safe, nutritious and affordable food."