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EPA Considers Legalizing Methyl Iodide for Food Production

Methyl iodide is a chemical that EPA is now evaluating for registration as a replacement for the fumigant methyl bromide, which is being phased out because it causes ozone depletion in the atmosphere. Methyl iodide and methyl bromide are highly volatile fumigant pesticides that are injected into the soil at rates of 100-400 pounds per acre to kill soil-borne pests. Because of the high application rates and gaseous nature of these chemicals, they drift away from the application site to poison neighbors and farmworkers. Fumigant-intensive crops include tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, tobacco, melons, potatoes and other root crops.

Take Action before February 21st to stop methyl iodide from being registered as a new pesticide.

Methyl iodide is even more hazardous to human health than methyl bromide. Cancer researchers have used methyl iodide in laboratories to induce cancer in mammalian cells. The state of California lists it as a carcinogen under Proposition 65. EPA found that methyl iodide caused thyroid tumors, but managed to keep the registrant happy by invoking a previously unheard of cancer ranking -- "Not likely to be carcinogenic to humans at doses that do not alter rat thyroid hormone homeostasis." It is worth noting that the Cancer Assessment Review Committee used only a single study to come to this conclusion -- a study in which 62-66% of the rats in both the control group and the high dose group died during the experiment, bringing into question the scientific validity of the study. In addition to the thyroid tumors observed in the study, large and significant changes were observed in thyroid hormone levels, which are intimately tied to metabolic disorders and immune function. Other animal studies evaluated by EPA also indicated that methyl iodide causes respiratory tract lesions, neurological effects, and miscarriages.

"This chemical represents the antithesis of modern biologically based farming," remarked Pesticide Action Network's Senior Scientist Dr. Susan Kegley. "We know so much more now about soil pests, plant pathology and plant breeding than we did when fumigants were first introduced in the 1920s. EPA should be helping farmers move into the future by expanding the use of new integrated pest management techniques, not by replacing one hazardous chemical with another." Kegley points out that fumigation is an inherently risky technology that endangers farm workers, contaminates groundwater, and is a drift hazard to schools and communities surrounding the fields.

EPA is taking public comments on the registration of methyl iodide through February 21, 2006. PAN is requesting the public to get involved in expressing opposition to the registration. Please take the time to tell EPA to not allow the registration of methyl iodide for agricultural use.

Read More about Methyl Iodide.

Background info:

• PAN article "Why EPA Should Not Register Methyl Iodide"
• EPA health Risk Assessment Report