Stop the EPA From Poisoning Our Children and Pollinators
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The EPA’s approval of dangerous pesticides puts our children’s health and vital pollinators at risk—help us stop these toxins from poisoning our environment and threatening our future.
The EPA is moving to reapprove the use of neonicotinoid pesticides on millions of acres of farmland across the U.S., despite mounting evidence that these chemicals endanger public health and critical wildlife populations. Neonicotinoids, or "neonics," have already been banned or strictly limited in Europe and Canada due to their well-documented harms1. Yet, here in the U.S., these potent chemicals remain widespread, threatening our most vulnerable populations, including children and pollinators essential to food production.
The Hidden Dangers of Neonicotinoids to Children
Neonicotinoids were developed to target the nervous systems of insects, but recent research reveals that they may also harm human brain development. Studies show that rodents exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy experienced significant brain shrinkage, a condition that raises concerns for young children exposed to neonics in the environment2. Dr. Jennifer Sass, a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council, explains that these chemicals are "terribly toxic" to developing brains and could potentially contribute to behavioral issues like ADHD1. We cannot ignore the risks posed to our children. Protecting them from exposure to neurotoxic chemicals must be a top priority.
Pollinators and Ecosystems at Risk
Neonicotinoids aren’t just harmful to people; they’re lethal to pollinators like bees, birds, and other wildlife that keep our ecosystems balanced. These chemicals are especially devastating for bees, with even small amounts weakening colonies and making survival more difficult3. In fact, research from the EPA itself reveals that neonics threaten over 200 endangered species, pushing them closer to extinction3.
Pollinators are vital to our food supply. Nearly a third of the crops we eat rely on bees and other pollinators to thrive. When pollinator populations decline, so do the resources we depend on. Neonics spread far beyond treated fields, contaminating waterways and soil and impacting untargeted plants and wildlife4. Their persistence in the environment means the damage doesn’t stop at the farm—it radiates out to affect the broader ecosystem.
A Loophole Putting Us All at Risk
Despite the clear evidence of harm, the EPA continues to allow these chemicals on our fields by approving their use under an “emergency exemption” loophole. Farmers, particularly in Florida, have used this exemption year after year, allowing neonicotinoids to be applied without a full safety review1. Environmental advocates argue this exemption was never meant for long-term pesticide use and that the EPA’s continued reliance on it puts our health and environment in jeopardy.
The World Is Acting. Why Isn’t the EPA?
Countries across the globe are moving to protect their citizens from neonicotinoids. The European Union has already imposed strict bans to shield pollinators and ecosystems from these dangerous chemicals4. Yet, here in the U.S., the EPA has failed to enact the same level of protection, disregarding the scientifically-backed warnings about neonics’ risks.
The EPA’s mandate is to protect human health and the environment. Yet, by reapproving neonicotinoids, it puts agricultural interests over public safety, ignoring well-documented dangers.
Act Now to Protect Our Future
The choice is clear. The EPA must reverse its decision to reapprove neonicotinoid pesticides to prevent further harm to our children, pollinators, and ecosystems. Together, we can urge the EPA to put people and the planet first.
Sign the petition today to demand the EPA halt the use of neonicotinoids and adopt safer, proven alternatives.
- Emily Deanne, Bill Freese, Nathan Donley, Center for Biological Diversity (22 October 2024), "Study: EPA Set to Greenlight Widely Used Neonicotinoid Pesticides, Overlooking Evidence of Harms to Brain, Nervous System."
- Michael Adams, About Lawsuits (29 October 2024), "Neonicotinoid Pesticides May Cause ADHD, Behavioral Problems, Other Long-Term Side Effects."
- Lucas Rhoads, NRDC (15 May 2023), "EPA: Neonics Likely Driving 200+ Species Toward Extinction."
- Johnathan Hettinger, The New Lede (30 April 2024), "Despite Ban, EPA Grants Emergency Approval for Bee-Killing Insecticide for 10th Straight Year."
The Petition:
To the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency,
We, the undersigned, urgently call on the EPA to reverse its decision to reapprove the use of neonicotinoid pesticides. This decision overlooks substantial evidence of the risks these chemicals pose to public health and the environment. Studies have demonstrated that neonicotinoids not only jeopardize critical pollinators, such as bees, but also pose serious developmental risks to children. These chemicals—designed to target insect nervous systems—have been shown to affect mammalian brain development, raising the risk of learning and behavioral disorders in those exposed.
Protecting public health and safeguarding our environment should be paramount. Science consistently shows that neonicotinoids accumulate in soil, water, and even our food supply, creating widespread exposure with potentially irreversible damage to vital ecosystems. Pollinators, essential to our food systems and biodiversity, are already under severe threat due to the persistence of these toxic substances.
We ask the EPA to adhere to proven medical science and prioritize safety by halting the use of neonicotinoids on American farmlands. Other countries, including those in the European Union and Canada, have enacted strict restrictions or outright bans to protect their citizens and ecosystems. The U.S. must follow suit by supporting alternatives that uphold the well-being of our people and planet.
Taking action to restrict neonicotinoids will help ensure a healthier, more sustainable future for all. By reversing this decision, the EPA can protect vulnerable communities, preserve biodiversity, and honor its duty to safeguard our environment for generations to come.
Sincerely,
