Industry attacks Mexico's glyphosate ban
Pressure on Mexico to reverse its intended ban on glyphosate and phaseout of genetically engineered (GE) corn has been coming from its neighbor to the north… us.
Apr 15, 2021
Emily Marquez
Year-round pesticides on Italy’s playgrounds
A recent study done in a region of Italy where pesticides are widely used indicates (yet again) that some communities contend with an unfair burden of pesticide exposure where their children live, learn, and play.
Feb 25, 2021
Emily Marquez
U.S. pressures UK to weaken food safety standards
With Brexit comes the potential for the United Kingdom (UK) to negotiate free trade agreements with individual countries. The U.S. and UK have gone through two rounds of negotiations, with the second round completed at the end of June. A major sticking point is around agriculture, including pesticide residues.
Jul 23, 2020
Emily Marquez
EPA’s “transparency in science” rule is terrible-awful . . . and here's why
The so-called "transparency in science" rule, first proposed by former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt in 2018, is basically intended to limit EPA's use of scientific studies.
Apr 15, 2020
Emily Marquez
How we “catch” pesticide drift: Doing science with the people
For well over a decade, PAN has worked with partner groups in our key states to test the air for pesticide drift using a device called the Drift Catcher. We launched the latest round of drift-catching in California a little over a year ago, and we’re now reflecting on lessons learned and awaiting results.
Nov 13, 2019
Emily Marquez
Syngenta’s hazardous pesticides are oh so profitable
A report released in May from a PAN International Swiss partner organization called Public Eye analyzed the sales of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) globally, with a focus on sales by the agrichemical corporation Syngenta. The findings? Syngenta (and other pesticide companies) are making a lot of money selling dangerous pesticides, and low to middle income countries (LMICs) are bearing the brunt of the hazards.
May 30, 2019
Emily Marquez
Who's overseeing restricted pesticides? Anyone?
A recent report from UCLA researchers evaluated the role of California county agricultural commissioners (CACs) and their permitting practices for restricted use pesticides. CACs are supposed to evaluate safer alternatives and cumulative exposures of these pesticides, and their power lies in their ability to grant permits to applicators.
May 1, 2019
Emily Marquez
EPA's flawed finding on Roundup and cancer
A new paper comparing the assessments of glyphosate’s carcinogenicity by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) analyzed the kinds of studies used by both agencies — and found some glaring differences. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Bayer’s (merged with Monsanto) widely used flagship herbicide Roundup.
Jan 29, 2019
Emily Marquez
In the U.S. and the world, pesticide use is up
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) used to release “Pesticide Industry Sales and Usage” reports every two years — but that was almost 20 years ago. Several months ago, after fielding a question from a colleague, I found the most recent iteration of this report, released at the end of 2017 and covering market estimates from 2008 to 2012.
Aug 2, 2018
Emily Marquez
Study finds glyphosate in pregnant women
A new study on glyphosate in pregnant women from Indiana confirms that this widely used herbicide ends up in people’s bodies. The findings also suggest that prenatal glyphosate exposure may be linked to shorter pregnancies.
Apr 5, 2018
Emily Marquez