EPA to ban neurotoxic pesticide sprayed on apples, Christmas trees

The Environmental Protection Agency is partially banning a pesticide that’s been linked to neurological damage in children and fetuses. For decades, chlorpyrifos has been widely sprayed on apples, pears, Christmas trees and other crops in the Pacific Northwest.

Farm worker advocates have been asking the EPA to ban the pesticide chlorpyrifos for years.

That’s because, when children and developing fetuses are exposed, it can cause lower IQs, higher levels of ADHD, and poor impulse control.

Farmers will no longer be allowed to spray the pesticide on any food crops starting in six months, but it'll still be allowed on Christmas trees and other non-food crops.