Israel Ministry of the Environment  [Printer-friendly version]
July 30, 2006

ISRAEL ANNOUNCES BAN OF CHLORYPYRIFOS AND DIAZINON

[Rachel's introduction: "Taking consideration of conditions in
Israel, the existence of alternatives for most of these product uses
and on the basis of the precautionary principle, a decision was taken
to stop the marketing of pest control products for sanitation which
contain these two substances [chlorpyrifos and diazinon] beginning on
December 31, 2007."]

The Ministry of Environmental Protection [of Israel] has decided to
ban the use of pest control products containing the organophosphates
chlorypyrifos and diazinon beginning on December 31, 2007. This is in
light of their ban in the US and the growing body of evidence
concerning the risk factors associated with these organophosphates.

In the past, these substances were permitted for use taking into
account toxicity risks, largely tested on the basis of
acetylcholinesterase inhibition. In recent years a growing body of
evidence has accumulated regarding previously unknown risks from these
substances. A risk assessment conducted by the US Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), which led to banning the use of these
products in the U.S., and additional updated toxicological data, point
to the rise of developmental neurotoxicity in embryos and infants
associated with the exposure of pregnant women and babies to
chlorypyrifos and diazinon.

Based on the findings, a decision was taken to adopt the rationale
behind the EPA action and to initiate the banning of these substances
for home use in Israel. Taking consideration of conditions in Israel,
the existence of alternatives for most of these product uses and on
the basis of the precautionary principle, a decision was taken to stop
the marketing of pest control products for sanitation which contain
these two substances beginning on December 31 2007.

Files for download:

On the Issue of the U.S. EPA Restrictions for Chlorpyrifos Use in
Homes and the Ensuing Proposed Adoption of this Policy in Israel
344K PDF