EPA Updates Pesticide Safety Rules for Farmers

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced new rules that place further restrictions on farm workers. These rules are designed to protect workers from the potentially dangerous effects of chemical-based pesticides.

In a statement to the press, the EPA said that children will no longer be allowed to handle pesticides, and that all farm workers will be required to complete on-going safety courses regarding pesticides.

There are an estimated 2 million Americans whom work in the farm industry. Regardless of the crop, pesticides are often used to deter bugs and microbes from devouring the crop. Granted, some farmers use natural, organic means of pest control, but the large majority rely on chemical-based pesticides. As a result, some 1,800 to 3,000 pesticide exposure incidents are reported each year on farms, says the EPA. While many of these incidents are minor, some can have lasting neurological effects, or in rare cases, prove to be fatal. The EPA is hoping to lower this number by introducing several new changes to its Worker Protection Standard.

It's rare for the EPA to update its safety rules, and this case is no exception. Ever since the Worker Protection Standard was first implemented back in 1992, the EPA has yet to adjust them. This latest round of changes will be the first made to the Worker Protection Standard since its inception more than two decades ago.

As noted by EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, the EPA has been working on these changes for a long time. McCarthy adds by saying that the EPA's mission is to provide a safe, equal protection for all of Americans -- and this includes the millions of people who work in the farm industry.

"What we're announcing today has been a long time coming,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy “Protecting our nation's farm workers from harmful pesticides exposure is part of EPA's mission to ensure equal protection for all Americans. These incidents lead to sick days, lost wages, medical bills, and absences from work and school,” he added. “We estimate that known and acute agricultural worker illnesses cost about $10 billion to $15 billion every year, and the actual costs we know are much higher.”