Most of Banned Pesticide Goes Overseas

"CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A U.S. ban on the use of carbofuran in food won't affect production of the pesticide at the Institute chemical plant because most of the product is shipped overseas, officials said Tuesday.

FMC Corp. owns the portion of the Institute plant that makes carbofuran's active ingredient. But the unit is operated by Bayer CropScience, and carbofuran is one of four end products the Institute plant makes with its huge stockpile of the toxic chemical methyl isocyanate, or MIC.

On Monday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it was revoking approval for the use of carbofuran to protect the public, especially children, from health risks associated with eating contaminated food and drinking polluted water.

The move prohibits any tiny amounts of carbofuran on U.S. foods, including all imports, and will eventually lead to a formal ban. Previously, EPA allowed certain tiny amounts through carbofuran residue limits, also known under the law as 'tolerances.'"

Ken Ward Jr. reports for the Charleston Gazette May 12, 2009.