Environment

Trump’s EPA is Poisoning Farmworkers

Written by SK Ashby

If he doesn't deport them, the Trump regime may poison thousands of farmworkers.

Over 50 farmworkers in Bakersfield, California were exposed to chlorpyrifos, a chemical in pesticides, that was recently approved by Trump's EPA under Scott Pruitt even though it can trigger developmental disabilities in children, among many other things.

According to the National Pesticide Information Center, exposure to the chemical through inhalation can cause initial symptoms like "tearing of the eyes, runny nose, increased saliva and sweat production, nausea, dizziness and headache," followed by possible "muscle twitching, weakness or tremors, lack of coordination, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and pupil constriction with blurred or darkened vision." Chlorpyrifos is an endocrine disrupter, and major studies have found strong evidence to suggest that even at very low doses, the chemical triggers effects among children ranging from lower IQ to higher rates of autism.

The Environmental Protection Agency under President Obama was close to banning the chemical from use, but then Trump selected industry lapdog Scott Pruitt to run the agency. The EPA approved use of the chemical in March shortly after Pruitt's confirmation. I have my doubts that he even considered the consequences.

More than half of the farmworkers who were exposed to the chemical reportedly left before authorities arrived. I can only guess why, but I figure at least some of them were afraid to seek medical attention because they're undocumented and Trump has created an environment of fear for immigrants who are being deported regardless of their personal circumstances.