EPA rules on human pesticide studies KPBS SAN DIEGO (KPBS) - In response to pressure from California Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer, the Environmental Protection Agency announced new proposed guidelines for pesticide testing on humans. Laura Strickler reports from our Capitol Hill Bureau.

Pesticide companies test their products on humans and animals to see if they're safe. Companies submit test results to the EPA for safety approval. Last year a study testing pesticides on college students was conducted at U.C. San Diego and submitted to the EPA.

Senator Boxer attacked the agency for condoning what she called, "unethical testing practices."

The EPA announced that it will no longer accept any study that tests pesticides on pregnant women or children. But testing pesticides on other humans will still be OK. Agency officials say they'll subject all studies to an independent review board to ensure human subjects are treated fairly.

The EPA only released the ruling to Senator Boxer a few hours ago and her office does not yet have an official response. From Capitol Hill, Laura Strickler, KPBS News.



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