EPA denies petition to ban common herbicide

Environmental Protection Agency rejected a request to ban a common herbicide that’s used in weed killers and other lawn-care products.

In an April 9 ruling, EPA denied a Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) petition to ban the chemical, which is 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). EPA says NRDC didn’t provide enough conclusive evidence to prove that 2,4-D is harmful to humans.

NRDC filed its petition to ban 2,4-D in November 2008 and sued EPA in February 2012 for not responding to the petition within 3 years.

NRDC’s petition cited studies that link exposure to 2,4-D to cancer, hormone disruption and neurotoxicity.