Hawaiis’ governor David Ige has signed into law a ban on the controversial insecticide chlorpyrifos, which has been linked to “serious health risks,” including developmental impacts in children, lung cancer, and immune disorders in farm workers.  (For more on the health impacts of chlorpyrifos, see the Managing Weeds for Healthy Kids project bibliography.)

Pruitt’s EPA rejected a proposed national ban in the spring of 2017, even though agency scientists recommended the registration for chlorpyrifos be canceled due to concerns about health impacts.

In Hawaii, state Senate Bill 3095 was unanimously approved by the legislature.  “Under the new law, pesticides containing chlorpyrifos will be prohibited across Hawaii starting on Jan. 1, 2019.”  The law does, however, allow businesses to apply for a 3-year extension if they need more time to make adjustments.

The law also bans any pesticide use during school hours within 100 feet of schools, and requires any users of this, or other restricted chemicals to report usage to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture annually.

Source:

Dominique Mosbergen, “Hawaii Becomes First State To Ban Widely-Used Pesticide Found To Be Harmful To Kids,” HuffPost, June 14, 2018.