Newly approved pesticide stirs controversy over health effects

In the article, C&EN Associate Editor Britt E. Erickson notes that EPA first considered approving the pesticide, methyl iodide, in 2006 as a replacement for methyl bromide —which is now being phased out because of environmental concerns that it may damage the ozone layer. Although methyl iodide appears unlikely to have that effect, it is toxic to nerve cells and may carry a risk of thyroid damage, cancer, and other adverse health effects.

At least one environmental group and some scientists opposed EPA’s approval of the pesticide, alleging that EPA had been secretive during the review process, failing to fully consider the chemical’s health effects, and they pointed to an apparent conflict of interest involving the pesticide’s manufacturer. States like California and Florida had their own concerns about the pesticide’s safety and decided to do their own risk assessments before allowing use of methyl iodide. Florida finished its assessment and approved the use of methyl iodide last July, but not before requiring additional safety measures beyond those required by EPA. California’s assessment is still ongoing, the article notes.

News release courtesy of American Chemical Society on October 27, 2008.