Human Pesticides Testing Rule
Today
the Bush Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule to promote
testing pesticides on people, which has not adequately improved from
previous drafts. In fact, a new loophole further weakens the rule, and
no longer requires companies to document that a test was ethically
conducted.
This
rule has an alternate universe quality, particularly as the Bush
Administration claims to support a “culture of life” on one hand, while
on the other hand this rule promotes testing harmful substances on
vulnerable people. Despite EPA’s statements, loopholes still allow
testing pesticides on pregnant women and children.
In
addition, the State of California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation
raised concerns this week that this rule could take away a state’s
abilities to set stronger provisions for human pesticides tests
conducted within their borders. The federal government should provide a
base-line protection for people from toxic pesticides, and encourage
states to set stricter standards.
The
bottom line is that chemical companies should not be allowed to test
their poisonous wares on anyone. This rule is unethical, illegal, and
just plain dangerous.
