A Dangerous Pesticide Coming to the United States?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed decision to allow the usage of a dangerous pesticide on crops like oats, wheat and barley grown in the U.S.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the EPA is set to approve the usage of chlormequat in the United States.

“Chlormequat is a chemical that can disrupt fetal growth and harm the reproductive system,” EWG writes.

“Chlormequat already shows up in food sold in the U.S. – we don’t need more,” the group noted.

EWG published this video warning about the EPA’s proposal to approve chlormequat:

🚩 BREAKING: the corrupt EPA is set to approve a pesticide so Toxic that even at low doses it:

• LOWERS TESTOSTERONE
• Delays Puberty
• Poisons the nervous system

The food we eat will likely soon be drenched in Chlormequat – including grains, meat, & animal products. pic.twitter.com/kQ0pKJKxXC

— Natural Immunity FTW (@NaturallyFTW) July 24, 2023

Here’s a YouTube version:

EWG provided more information about the dangers of chlormequat:

Chlormequat is a highly toxic agricultural chemical the EPA refers to as a pesticide. It works by altering plant growth. When applied to oat and grain crops while they’re growing, it stops the plants from bending over, which can make harvesting difficult.

Animal studies show chlormequat can damage the reproductive system and disrupt fetal growth, creating particular concerns about how ingesting it might harm children.

We keep accepting their poison so they keep getting more & more bold. 🤷🏼‍♀️

FYI we can contact EPA until tomorrow & let them know our thoughts on Chlormequat & their approval of this toxic crap (link here):
https://t.co/qCvbYcOrjs pic.twitter.com/h27M5T5xBV

— Natural Immunity FTW (@NaturallyFTW) July 24, 2023

“Chlormequat is already contaminating our food supply, sadly (since food imported from other countries contain it). BUT after this US EPA approval, the Chlormequat level in our foods will skyrocket w/in a matter of months,” Natural Immunity FTW wrote.

Chlormequat is already contaminating our food supply, sadly (since food imported from other countries contain it). BUT after this US EPA approval, the Chlormequat level in our foods will skyrocket w/in a matter of months. 😢

— Natural Immunity FTW (@NaturallyFTW) July 24, 2023

The EPA in 2018 allowed for residues of chlormequat on imports.

Via the Federal Register:

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of chlormequat chloride in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. Taminco US LLC, a subsidiary of Eastman Chemical Company requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

GMO Free USA noted that the comment period for the EPA’s proposal ended July 25th.

GMO Free USA wrote:

Farmers have always grown these crops without chlormequat and there is no need for this poison. EPA’s proposal is just another giveaway to corporations seeking to profit at the expense of our health.

Chlormequat is an extremely hazardous agrichemical linked, at low doses of exposure, to many serious health problems in mammals:

• Disrupting fetal growth
• Changing how heads and bones develop
• Altering metabolism
• Delaying development during puberty
• Adversely affecting sperm motility
• Decreasing testosterone production
• Harming the nervous system
• Just a mouthful can be deadly to humans.

The chemical is so toxic that EPA’s original approval in 1962 was strictly for use on ornamental plants in greenhouses. In 2007, the Agency approved expanded use outdoors, only on containerized ornamental plants in shade houses and nurseries. The Agency identified potential ecological risks of concern related to chlormequat exposure to birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and fish, and as a result, the Agency restricted the methods of application.

Chlormequat is also very persistent in the environment — it’s been found to be one of the most commonly detected pesticide residues in countries that use it.

In 2018, the Agency allowed chlormequat on imported oats, wheat, barley, and some animal products. Without a scientific basis, the allowed tolerance levels were increased on some of these commodities in 2020. Ultimately, this decision paved the way for what we see now – the introduction of this very concerning and highly toxic agrichemical into U.S. food production.

EPA's set to allow Chlormequat on Not just oats. It will be sprayed on other grains, including wheat.

These grains are fed to our animals, & Chlormequat WILL make it into the meat/eggs/dairy we eat. 😢

P.S it'll be in beer too…🍺 pic.twitter.com/dewQPmy7oY

— Natural Immunity FTW (@NaturallyFTW) July 24, 2023

From the EPA:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released for public comment its proposed decision to register the first food uses of the pesticide chlormequat chloride to provide farmers with an additional tool to help increase crop yield. Before registering these uses, EPA will need to establish tolerances in or on barley, oat, triticale, and wheat.

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Chlormequat chloride is currently registered for use as a plant growth regulator (PGR) in ornamentals grown in greenhouses and nurseries. This pesticide works to control plant size by blocking the hormones that stimulate growth prior to bloom.

In small grains like wheat, barley, oats, and triticale, lodging (the bending over or breakage of small grain stems) is a major production issue. Lodging can severely limit grain yield and harvestability and have detrimental effects on grain quality. As a PGR, chlormequat chloride application decreases the height of the grain plant stem, resulting in reduced lodging and potentially increased grain yield. Compared to other PGRs with similar use patterns, chlormequat allows for more flexibility in application timing, resulting in greater ease of use for small grain producers.

Before issuing this proposed registration decision, EPA assessed whether exposures to this product would cause unreasonable adverse effects to human health and the environment, as required by the Federal Insecticide, Rodenticide, and Fungicide Act (FIFRA). Based on EPA’s human health risk assessment, there are no dietary, residential, or aggregate (i.e., combined dietary and residential exposures) risks of concern. EPA’s ecological risk assessment identified no risks of concern to non-target, non-listed aquatic vertebrates that are listed under the Endangered Species Act, aquatic invertebrates, and aquatic and terrestrial plants.