Perkins, T. (2023, June 19). EPA sued over reapproval of toxic herbicides using Agent Orange chemical. The Guardian. Retrieved August 27, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/19/epa-herbicides-agent-orange-lawsuit 

The reapproval of two toxic herbicides in the United States that have caused huge health problems in the past by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has caused major backlash due to the harm they could do to humans and endangered species alike. The herbicide, which attacks the roots and leaves of weeds to kill them, might be a carcinogen and is linked to respiratory problems and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. One chemical in them was also used to destroy vegetation during the Vietnam War and caused major health problems for both soldiers and innocent civilians. The Center for Food Safety brought the suit against the EPA, but it is unclear whether or not the ingredients will continue to be legal despite the negative effects.  

Reapproving toxic herbicides that have been used in warfare in order to spread on crops in the United States is unethical and unsafe. Not only can these herbicides harm humans, but they also have the potential to hurt or even endanger hundreds of species. No matter how good an herbicide is at controlling vegetation, no amount of perfect vegetables are worth the extinction of animals that are all vital to their respective ecosystems. Starving off certain predators and the overpopulation of the prey that the hurt animals would eat is only part of the consequence of using the Agent Orange chemical as referenced in the article. I am shocked and dismayed that the US Environmental Protection Agency would not speak out more about the harm that this reapproval would do— if not for the sake of the animals or environment, even, for the sake of human health.