The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to reapprove several neonicotinoid pesticides, despite strong evidence of harm to human health and wildlife. These pesticides, including acetamiprid and imidacloprid, are used widely on crops and have been linked to developmental damage in animals and declines in endangered species. As the EPA moves forward, scientists and environmental advocates are pressing for tighter restrictions, pointing to risks that the agency has yet to address.

Critics argue that the EPA’s decision to maintain the use of neonics neglects urgent public health and ecological concerns. According to a recent study from the Center for Biological Diversity, the agency’s reapproval overlooks key data about the pesticides’ impacts on brain development.

 

Neonicotinoids and Human Health

Neonicotinoids belong to a class of insecticides that target insect nervous systems. However, new research suggests that these chemicals may also harm developing brains in mammals, raising concerns for children exposed to them. In a study covered by About Lawsuits, scientists reported that rodents exposed to neonicotinoids during pregnancy developed brain shrinkage similar to that caused by nicotine exposure.

“The data prove that neonicotinoids are terribly toxic to the mammalian brain during early life development,” Dr. Jennifer Sass, senior scientist at NRDC, told the (Center for Biological Diversity.

Sass urges the EPA to “follow the science and restrict these harmful pesticides,” especially given the risks to young children.

Environmental Threats to Pollinators and Ecosystems

Beyond human health, neonicotinoids present significant risks to wildlife. Research from the NRDC indicates that neonicotinoids could push more than 200 endangered species closer to extinction. Pollinators, especially bees, are highly susceptible to neonic exposure, which has been linked to their decline worldwide. When neonics dissolve in water, they spread far beyond treated fields, affecting aquatic life and bird populations.

According to Nathan Donley, environmental health science director at the Center for Biological Diversity, the EPA’s reapproval could exacerbate these issues. “When the agency charged with protecting us doesn’t even require the necessary data to determine significant health risks, its pesticide approvals simply can’t be trusted,” Donley told The New Lede.

 

The “Emergency Exemption” Loophole

A loophole in EPA regulations has allowed extensive use of neonicotinoids for years. Under an “emergency exemption” clause, farmers can apply certain pesticides even without full approval. This exemption is commonly used for Florida citrus farms to combat the Asian citrus psyllid, a pest responsible for citrus greening disease. Critics argue that these “emergency” approvals are given too frequently, without adequate safety reviews.

In 2019, the EPA’s Office of the Inspector General raised concerns about the agency’s unchecked use of these exemptions, noting that it could put human health and the environment at risk. Despite such warnings, the EPA has continued to issue exemptions for neonicotinoids, effectively bypassing more rigorous reviews, reports the Center for Biological Diversity.

Global Bans and EPA’s Outlier Position

The U.S. approach to regulating neonicotinoids contrasts sharply with international actions. In the European Union and Canada, neonicotinoids face strict bans or limitations to protect pollinators and natural ecosystems, according to the The New Lede.

Nathan Donley noted that the EPA’s stance is “out of sync” with the global trend toward limiting harmful pesticides.

 

Scientists and Environmental Advocates Demand Reform

As the EPA prepares for a 15-year review of neonicotinoids, environmental groups like NRDC and the Center for Biological Diversity are calling for urgent regulatory changes. These groups have proposed stricter data submission requirements and specific protections for children. Bill Freese, science director at the Center for Food Safety, told the Center for Biological Diversity that the EPA “must act to reduce the use of and human exposure to these toxic insecticides.”

With compelling evidence of risks to children, wildlife, and ecosystems, advocates argue that now is the time for the EPA to adopt a more cautious approach. As the agency reviews the neonicotinoid approval process, environmental experts urge it to align with global standards and prioritize the safety of people and the planet.

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