The Industry Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data, comprised of companies holding technical 2,4-D registrations, is a joint research venture that funds the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) research studies required to support the registration and registration review of 2,4-D in the U.S. and Canada. The Task Force currently anticipates that the US Environmental Protection Agency will be releasing for comment its DRAFT Risk Assessment for the herbicide 2,4-D under Registration Review sometime in October.
Each time the EPA has examined 2,4-D (at least three times in the most recent twelve years), the Task Force has worked to remind the Agency of the continued value of 2,4-D. The herbicide is widely used to control invasive and noxious weeds in agriculture, forestry and recreation, and for safety along highways, power line corridors and rail lines. No herbicide has been more thoroughly and continually studied. It was first registered in 1947.
Producers are encouraged to be prepared to help EPA appreciate and understand the value that this herbicide brings in protecting your production crops and working lands, by contributing their input when the comment period is opened. During the comment period, EPA will want to know producers’ thoughts and learn how they use the product.
The EPA review is particularly important given the report last year published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) on the carcinogenicity of 2,4-D herbicide. The Working Group voted the herbicide 2,4-D as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), based on inadequate evidence in humans and limited evidence in experimental animals.
The Agency conducted human health data reviews as recently as Fall 2014 in approving the expanded use pattern for the use of 2,4-D over the top of corn and soybeans.
No surprises in the human health risk assessment are expected by the Task Force.
However, the identification of risks to off-target plants is anticipated; 2,4-D is after all, an effective broadleaf herbicide.
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