Janet Collins, SVP of science and regulatory affairs for CropLife
America (CLA), recently issued a statement in response to the International
Agency for Research on Cancer’s (IARC) “hazard-based approach” to assessing
crop protection chemicals.
Asserting that CLA has let down a number of stakeholders
with its particular methodology, Collins stated that public information was not
presented realistically in terms of “perspective regarding actual exposure and
real human health risk.”
“(CropLife America is) disappointed that the International
Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has continued its hazard-based approach to
the assessment of crop protection chemicals,” Collins said in her statement. “Over
the past 18 months, the IARC approach to the assessment of the hazard of
specific cancers from chemical substances has been decried by a number of
governments and as well as by industry associations.”
CLA’s leader stressed that it is crucial for organizations
to present data thoroughly and accurately. Specifically, she said, the IARC’s
message regarding the products — published in The Lancet — omitted a monograph, which typically contains more
detailed information.
Collins explained that her organization favors risk-based human
health assessment, utilized throughout the U.S. regulatory system — and particularly,
she added, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its Office of
Pesticide Programs — over hazard-based assessment.
The key issue for CropLife America was the IARC’s hazard-based
approach.
“The assessment of risk rather than hazard is key as crop
protection materials are regulated based on exposure measures in the U.S.,”
Collins said. “The crop protection industry continues to work with the EPA to
ensure each and every product goes through their rigorous testing procedures
and only enters the market if it can be used safely. CLA welcomes the interests
of a variety of congressional committees that may provide oversight on all
manner of pesticide policy matters, including the interest shown about IARC
funding.”
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