New Rules for Reducing Risk Posed Pesticide Exposure Proposed by EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency in the United States has proposed new rules for reducing the risk posed by hazardous pesticides for farm workers, children and other people working or living near farm fields. The current regulations under ‘Worker Protection Standard’ involves providing mandatory training to the workers in languages, such as Spanish, and providing buffer zones that keep people clear of freshly sprayed fields. Under the new rules, the training will be provided on a annual basis, with the workers being taught not only how to protect themselves but also their families.

Warning signs will also be made mandatory in areas where dangerous chemicals have been applied while farm operators will have to keep records on which pesticides are used and when. Children under 16 years of age are also barred from using pesticides, except on family farms.



Source-Medindia