Thousands have responded to a public input demand by the us Environmental Protection Agency (usepa)on reviewing registration of the insecticide endosulfan. "Endosulfan poses substantial risks and should be off the market,' said Karl Tupper, scientist at the ngo, Pesticide Action Network. "Its dangers outweigh any economic benefits from the chemical.' In November, usepa released its report showing the insecticide caused health problems to workers who handle it and those who work in endosulfan-treated fields. "The European Union and more than 20 other countries banned it after several farmworkers died. Its exposure caused serious health damage to people. It is time for usepa to take the health of people seriously,' said Medha Chandra of the network.

Meanwhile, manufacturers of another pesticide Furadan and some members of the us Congress have asked usepa to reverse its 2006 decision to cancel the registration of all uses of the pesticide. The agency's scientific advisory panel recently reviewed the decision that the pesticide damages environment, particularly birds, says American Bird Conservancy, an NGO.