The food quality protection act: a public health perspective

The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) includes provisions to consider the combined risks of chemicals that have similar toxicological effects from all sources of exposure. The organophosphate (OP) insecticides are drawing a great deal of attention under this provision. Significant challenges for the regulatory activities at the EPA may develop. Environmentalists will apply political pressure to ban most of these products. Farmers may fear they will be unable to control pests and may exercise their own political muscle. The regulatory decisions in the dilemma may prove to be complex and difficult. Three areas of concern about potential adverse impacts of FQPA on public health are discussed; these include: diseases caused or carried by pests, increased natural toxins because of poor pest control, and increases in food costs because of regulatory action. It is important that the EPA consider not only the risks arising from the use of chemicals, but also the risks of not having those same chemicals.