Diazinon Ban Falls Short

Re “EPA Takes Pesticide Diazinon Off the Shelves,” Jan. 1: So after literally decades of deliberation, and invoking the 1996 Pesticide Reform Act, the EPA has banned the insecticide diazinon for home use, in part because of risks to fish. Widespread agricultural use will continue, however, especially here in California because “risks ... are considered low compared with residential use because the chemical is most dangerous from inhalation and skin contact, not from consumption of food.” Funny, I always thought those forms we see in the fields, harvesting fruits and vegetables, usually protected by just a bandana, were people, complete with skin and lungs. I guess not. Otherwise, how could a federal agency charged by law with protecting human health continue the use of such a hazardous nerve agent in the fields but not by my fellow home gardeners? How indeed.

Al Meyerhoff

Attorney, Studio City

Meyerhoff is past director of the Natural Resources Defense Council public health program.