WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An herbicide used by
 farmers, turf professionals and homeowners to control weeds in agricultural
 crops, lawns and other grassy areas has been found to have no human
 carcinogenic effects.
     Last week, the U.S, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it
 would not begin a special review process of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid
 better known as 2,4-D. The EPA first brought the herbicide under
 consideration for Special Review in 1986 -a process opened if the use of a
 pesticide is thought to cause "unreasonable adverse effects to people or
 the environment," according to EPA documents.
     After more than 21 years of research and review, the EPA announced on
 Aug. 8 its Decision Not to Initiate a Special Review of 2,4-D because its
 findings concluded 2,4-D is not a carcinogen.
     "The EPA's recent announcement reconfirms that 2,4-D poses no risk to
 human health," says Jack Dutra, executive director of the Industry Task
 Force II on 2,4-D Research Data. "2,4-D is recognized worldwide as a tool
 that improves the quality and growth of agricultural crops."
     Dutra adds that 2,4-D also enhances millions of acres of turf grass in
 local communities across the U.S. "A healthy lawn benefits our environment
 in numerous ways by filtering pollution runoff, serving as a cooling agent
 around buildings and hindering the spread of fire," he explains. "Lawns
 also provide a living green space for families to enjoy outdoor
 activities."
     Use of 2,4-D is also beneficial in controlling weeds that cause
 allergies such as common ragweed and poisonous plants like poison ivy and
 poison oak.
     About 2,4-D Herbicide
     2,4-D is an important herbicide used worldwide to protect a variety of
 crops such as wheat, corn, rice, soybeans, potatoes, sugar cane, pome
 fruits, stone fruits, nuts, as well as forestry and non-crop areas, such as
 lawns. It also controls invasive species in lakes and canals and federally
 protected areas. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the loss
 of 2,4-D as a necessary and vital tool would cost the U.S. economy
 $1.7billion annually in higher food production and weed control expenses.
     About the Task Force
     In 1989, the Industry Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data(2,4-D Task
 Force) was created to fund new research required by the EPA and the
 Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency for their respective pesticide
 re- registration/re-evaluation programs. The 2,4-D Task Force completed
 over 300 GLP laboratory and field studies for reregistration and special
 studies for cancer review. The current companies making up the Task Force
 are Dow AgroSciences(U.S.), Nufarm Ltd(Australia) and Agro-Gor Corp., a
 U.S. corporation jointly owned by Atanor, S.A. (Argentina) and PBI-Gordon
 Corp. (U.S.)
     For more information about 2,4-D, visit www.24d.org or call
 800-345-5109.
 
 

SOURCE 2,4-D Task Force