Chlorpyrifos, a developmental neurotoxic pesticide, is one of the most commonly used insecticides in Europe. Yet increasing evidence links it with serious health conditions including disruption of the hormonal system and impacts on children’s brain development.
Chlorpyrifos residues are commonly found in our fruits, vegetables, cereals and dairy products as well as our drinking water. Its current authorisation is set to expire on 31 January 2019. Should the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) give a positive opinion and the European Commission make a proposal on that basis European Member States may decide to renew the substance.
There is a solid body of scientific evidence of chlorpyrifos’ adverse effects on human health, and the current reauthorisation procedure provides the European Commission and Member States with the opportunity to get this harmful chemical off the shelves once and for all. This is critical in order to protect the farmers who are directly exposed to the substance, their families, residents of agricultural areas, consumers and ultimately the most vulnerable, children, infants and babiesin the womb, whose brains are still developing and are most vulnerable to the toxicity of chlorpyrifos. The broader population is at additional risk given we are all exposed to a cocktail of chemicals on a daily basis.
This factsheet sets out the case and evidence against the use of chlorpyrifos and explains the health impacts which justify its ban.