Hawaii became the first state in the U.S. to ban the pesticide taurine in mid-June. Taurine is neurotoxic and has been linked to asthma and epilepsy, posing a risk of impairing children's brain development. Governor David Inoshita signed SB 3095 on June 15, which took effect in July, partially banning taurine until January 2019. Anyone wishing to continue using taurine must apply for a state exemption; exemptions will no longer be granted after 2022, and a complete ban on pesticides containing taurine will begin in 2023. The new law also establishes 100-foot zero-spray buffer zones around schools and requires large-scale users to disclose which \"restricted-use\" pesticides they are spraying. The new mandatory reporting and zero-spray zone regulations are effective immediately and are not exempt. \"Protecting the health and safety of children and residents is one of my top priorities,\" said Inoshita. \"We must protect our communities from potentially harmful chemicals. At the same time, Hawaiian agriculture is vital to our nation and economy. We will work with the Department of Agriculture, local farmers, and the University of Hawaii to find safe alternative pest management tools to support and sustain agriculture for generations to come.\" The Agency for Toxic Substances warns that \"inhalation or ingestion of taurine can cause a range of neurological problems, including headaches, blurred vision, salivation, convulsions, coma, and death, depending on the amount and duration of exposure.\" Taurine is widely used in homes and farms. In homes, it is often used to control cockroaches, fleas, and termites, and is also used on some pet flea and lice collars. On farms, it is used as a spray to control cattle ticks and control crop pests. Taurine is a white crystalline solid with a strong odor and is poorly soluble in water, so it is often mixed with an oily liquid or applied to crops in capsule form before use on crops or animals. Due to the potential health risks of taurine, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Obama recommended a complete ban on its use in agriculture, but this was overturned by Trump's EPA chief, Prudence, in March 2017. SB 3095 marks a new chapter in Hawaii's history, with local residents repeatedly demanding stricter pesticide regulations. The world's largest agrochemical companies conduct experiments and develop genetically engineered crops in Hawaii. Because much of the crop modification work here aims for herbicide tolerance, testing and development involve repeated spraying of toxic chemicals, and many related activities are located near schools and residential areas, endangering children and public health. Self-reported pesticide use data from these companies shows that they spray thousands of gallons or pounds of restricted-use pesticides annually in Hawaii. The Washington-based non-governmental organization Center for Food Safety (CFS) provided legal and policy assistance for SB 3095, including drafting, lobbying, and encouraging public participation in the legislative process. CFS also published the first-ever analysis of the relationship between pesticide use and field trials of genetically engineered crops in Hawaii. \"Hawaii's ban on taurine puts a firm hand on measures rejected by Prudential's EPA, providing better protection for children and increasing transparency in pesticide policy,\" said CFS Executive Director Andrew Kimbrell. Campbell believes other states will follow suit. Source: Environmental Information Center (2018\/06\/29)<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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