Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) concluded its re-evaluation of the popular herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), finding that the herbicide can be used safely according to label directions for lawn, turf, agriculture, forestry and industrial applications.
In a news release issued about the decision, the PMRA stated, “Health Canada also consulted an independent Science Advisory Panel comprised of government and university experts/researchers in toxicology, epidemiology and biology. The Panel agreed with Health Canada’s assessment that 2,4-D can be used safely when used according to label directions, with some uses requiring additional protective measures.”
Jim Gray, executive director of the Industry Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data based in Kansas City, said, “After reviewing an unprecedented depth of scientific data and expert panel reviews regarding the impact 2,4-D may have on children, adults, animals and the environment, Health Canada determined the herbicide meets all of Canada’s pesticide health and safety regulations, which are among the toughest and most stringent in the world.”
In 2007, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Decision Not to Initiate a Special Review after more than 21 years of research and agency review.
“These most recent findings by the PMRA are consistent with previous decisions made by authorities including the World Health Organization, European Commission, U.S. EPA and recent studies by the U.S. National Cancer Institute that deem 2,4-D to be a valuable and useful herbicide that does not pose human health or environmental risks when used according to label instructions,” Gray added.
This conclusion supports the 2005 and 2007 draft assessments issued by PMRA which found that 2,4-D can be used safely on lawn, turf, agricultural, forestry and industrial sites, when label directions are followed.
The Health Canada 2,4-D Re-evaluation decision can be viewed at
www.pmra-arla.gc.ca/english/pdf/rvd/rvd2008-11-eng.pdf
View the The Pest Management Regulatory Agency Information Note (news release) at
www.pmra-arla.gc.ca/english/pdf/infonotes/InfoNote-2,4-D-rvd2008-11-eng.pdf
For more information about 2,4-D visit www.24D.org or call 800-345-5109.
