Israel Ministry of the Environment, 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