Letter to the editor regarding "safety of safety evaluation of pesticides: Developmental neurotoxicity of chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl" by Mie et al. (environmental health. 2018. 17:77)

Abstract

A commentary in Environmental Health titled "Safety of Safety Evaluation of Pesticides: developmental neurotoxicity of chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl" by Mie et al. [15] erroneously suggests that developmental neurotoxicity studies conducted for chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl and then submitted to regulatory authorities were misleading and impaired the authorities' ability to perform a valid evaluation.We will address the specific technical points, assertions and assumptions individually and demonstrate why the chlorpyrifos study - conducted more than 20 years ago - was reviewed and accepted by global regulatory authorities, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency and the European Union. Labeled uses of chlorpyrifos rest on five decades of experience in use, health surveillance of manufacturing workers and applicators, and more than 4000 studies and reports examining the product in terms of health, safety and the environment. We will also respond to the allegations made about the chlorpyrifos-methyl study which was conducted more recently.