DOWELANCO PRESS RELEASE -- PANEL REVIEW: LEADING INSECTICIDE NOT SHOWN TO BE A CONCERN FOR PUBLIC HEALTH WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/AsiaNet/-- based on a review of existing research relating to the widely used pest control product chlorpyrifos, the active ingredient in Dursban insecticides, a majority of scientists on a blue ribbon panel composed of international health experts concluded that there is insufficient evidence of harm to human health to warrant further investigation. "Chlorpyrifos is a widely used, widely studied compound," the five scientists concluded. "The available scientific evidence provides no basis for concern that it causes human health adverse effects other than its known cholinergic effects associated with acute poisonings." A minority of three scientists on the eight-member epidemiology panel also concluded that the existing data were insufficient to show evidence of harm to human health. Those three scientists recommend further epidemiological study of a group such as production workers with long-term potential exposures at levels higher than the general population. Officials from DowElanco, the primary manufacturer of Dursban products, said that they are seriously considering the conclusions of all eight scientists. "We encourage continued review of chlorpyrifos, which has already been the subject of more than 250 studies," said DowElanco CEO John Hagaman. "We are pleased that such a remarkable assembly of scientists was able to meet. "The panel's findings strengthen our conviction, based on extensive study and 30 years of use, that Dursban products can be safely applied by homeowners, gardeners, professional applicators and others," Hagaman added. In reaching its conclusions, the blue ribbon panel examined available scientific evidence on a variety of neurological, behavorial and immunological disorders, multiple complaints (often called multiple chemical sensitivities) and birth defects. The panel was not persuaded after extensive review that exposure to Dursban products has been shown to be a cause of these conditions. "Dursban products are used in and around more than 20 million American homes each year to protect families, their children and pets from the harmful effects of pests like termites, ticks, fleas and cockroaches," Hagaman said. "These products have been extensively researched, and DowElanco continues to update these tests with new technology each year." The panel met in Virginia on July 28-29 in the presence of observers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which also provided input on the panel's membership and on relevant research for the panel's review. Panel chairman Dr. Ray Greenberg, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D. (Medical University of South Carolina), said that a complete report of the panel's review is expected in late September. Other panel members were: James W. Albers, M.D., Ph.D. (University of Michigan); Philip Cole, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H. (University of Alabama at Birmingham); Jack S. Mandell, Ph.D., M.P.H. (University of Minnesota); Richard R. Monson, M.D., Sc.M., Sc.D.(Harvard School of Public Health); John H. Ross, Ph.D. (California Department of Pesticide Regulation); Wayne R. Snodgrass, M.D., Ph.D. (Texas Poison Center); and Anne Spurgeon, Ph.D. (University of Birmingham, the United Kingdom). SOURCE DowElanco /CONTACT: Garry Hamlin of DowElanco, 317-337-4799/ (DOW)