p>WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An herbicide used by farmers, turf professionals and homeowners to control weeds in agricultural crops, lawns and other grassy areas has been found to have no human carcinogenic effects. Last week, the U.S, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it would not begin a special review process of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid better known as 2,4-D. The EPA first brought the herbicide under consideration for Special Review in 1986 -a process opened if the use of a pesticide is thought to cause 'unreasonable adverse effects to people or the environment,' according to EPA documents.

After more than 21 years of research and review, the EPA announced on Aug. 8 its Decision Not to Initiate a Special Review of 2,4-D because its findings concluded 2,4-D is not a carcinogen. 'The EPA's recent announcement reconfirms that 2,4-D poses no risk to human health,' says Jack Dutra, executive director of the Industry Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data. '2,4-D is recognized worldwide as a tool that improves the quality and growth of agricultural crops.' Dutra adds that 2,4-D also enhances millions of acres of turf grass in local communities across the U.S. 'A healthy lawn benefits our environment in numerous ways by filtering pollution runoff, serving as a cooling agent around buildings and hindering the spread of fire,' he explains. 'Lawns also provide a living green space for families to enjoy outdoor activities.' Use of 2,4-D is also beneficial in controlling weeds that cause allergies such as common ragweed and poisonous plants like poison ivy and poison oak.

About 2,4-D Herbicide
2,4-D tant herbicide used worldwide to protect a variety of crops such as wheat, corn, rice, soybeans, potatoes, sugar cane, pome fruits, stone fruits, nuts, as well as forestry and non-crop areas, such as lawns. It also controls invasive species in lakes and canals and federally protected areas. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the loss of 2,4-D as a necessary and vital tool would cost the U.S. economy $1.7billion annually in higher food production and weed control expenses.

About the Task Force
In 1989, the Industry Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data(2,4-D Task Force) was created to fund new research required by the EPA and the Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency for their respective pesticide re- registration/re-evaluation programs. The 2,4-D Task Force completed over 300 GLP laboratory and field studies for reregistration and special studies for cancer review. The current companies making up the Task Force are Dow AgroSciences(U.S.), Nufarm Ltd(Australia) and Agro-Gor Corp., a U.S. corporation jointly owned by Atanor, S.A. (Argentina) and PBI-Gordon Corp. (U.S.)

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