The environmental group leading the pressure campaign for stricter EPA assessments on the non-active ingredients in pesticide mixes sued the agency to release records detailing its evaluation process.
The complaint, filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks a judge to require EPA to hand over documents requested by the Center for Food Safety in May 2022 under the Freedom of Information Act.
“These records are critical to determine whether EPA is complying with its statutory obligations to prevent unintentional adverse effects on the environment,” said Asha Ramakumar, an attorney for the environmental advocacy group. “EPA cannot keep unlawfully avoiding its duty under FOIA.”
The ingredients in pesticide mixes, which cover the household products used to keep insects, weeds, rodents or fungi away from crops or plants, are separated into two categories: active and inert. Active ingredients are designed to kill, harm or repel unwanted pests, while inert ingredients are the chemicals added to the mix for any other reason.
