Illinois, Four Other States Suing EPA Over Pesticide Safety Rule

Illinois is one of five states suing the EPA over a pesticide safety rule.  The policy limits human presence during pesticide spraying to a farmer’s own property, but doesn’t allow enforcement in surrounding areas.  Other states that are part of last week’s lawsuit are California, New York, Maryland and Minnesota.  The suit claims the rule risks exposing other people to harmful chemicals that can drift beyond farms.  The EPA issued the rule in October, stating it would be difficult for farmers to enforce limits on human presence away from their own property.