"EPA Overhauls Rules for Pesticide Use on Farms"

"The Environmental Protection Agency unveiled revised rules aimed at better protecting farmworkers from pesticides, an overhaul that brings safeguards for agricultural laborers closer to parity with employees in other industries.

The revisions on Monday update worker-protection standards that haven’t been revised since their introduction in 1992. The changes boost protections for the roughly two million U.S. and migrant laborers at farms, forests, nurseries and greenhouses, and represent a government effort to reduce health risks from pesticide exposure.

The rules for the first time prohibit children from handling pesticides, requiring workers be at least 18 years old to mix, load or apply the chemicals on fields. The revisions also require mandatory pesticide training for farmworkers each year instead of every five years. Training now must include information on how workers can avoid bringing home pesticide residue on clothing, boots and other items."

Jesse Newman reports for the Wall Street Journal September 28, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"EPA Tightens Rules on Handling Farm Pesticides" (Yakima Herald)

"EPA Updates Pesticide Rules for Farmworkers" (AP)

"EPA Announces New Rules To Protect Farmworkers From Pesticides" (NPR)