"Each year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gives the green light for a score of agricultural chemicals to come to market. But the chemicals the EPA registers for use have little connection with the frequently more toxic substances sold by the millions of pounds to unsuspecting American consumers."

"Dr. Warren Porter, a professor of zoology and environmental toxicology at the University of Wisconsin, likens the EPA’s process for registering chemicals to 'bait and switch' sales tactics. Pesticide makers win approval for specific active ingredients, and then mix those chemicals with a number of other ingredients. The result is a far different formulation that has bypassed government safety reviews and is then sold to the public.

'It’s like releasing molecular bulls in a china shop,' Porter said. 'Virtually no pesticide is registered by the EPA. The EPA only registers the active ingredient.'"

Clare Howard reports for 100Reporters February 15, 2012. [2]