EPA blocks 2,4-D ban

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said that the herbicide 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) will remain on the market despite a petition from environmental group the Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC). 2,4-D is one of the most widely used herbicides in the world and its use is predicted to increase with the development of genetically modified maize that is resistant to it. There is some evidence that suggests that the herbicide is neurotoxic, causes cancer and can disrupt hormone function, however the EPA denies any such link.