The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing stricter rules for applicators of “restricted use pesticides,” which make up about 5 percent of all pesticides registered at EPA, according to Jim Jones, the agency's assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.

 

Jones said restricted use pesticides “can pose greater risk to human health and the environment if used improperly,” and the rules governing their use have not been updated since 1974.

“The goal of today's action is to reduce the likelihood of harm from the misapplication of toxic pesticides and ensure a consistent level of protection among states,” according to EPA's announcement. “Pesticide use would be safer with increased supervision and oversight.”

 

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