The presence of pesticides has been a persistent problem since their development in the 20th century. There have been a number of industrial failures attached to this technology, notable the use of DDT and a close call with the extinction of the Bald Eagle, the national bird.
This led to the banning of DDT. Compounding the bird problem was the use of DDT in Agent Orange, used to remove the Vietnamese rainforest, where the American bourgeoisie was fighting a land reform movement. Not only were the victims of Agent Orange the residents of Vietnam, their own soldiers came back with strange cancers.
The current pesticides it is now coming out are associated with autism, and gender reversal, and other gender problems.
“Chlorpyrifos (CPS), also known as chlorpyrifos ethyl, is an organophosphate pesticide that has been used on crops, animals, in buildings, and in other settings, to kill several pests, including insects and worms. It acts on the nervous systems of insects by inhibiting the acetylcholinesterase enzyme.[7][8] Chlorpyrifos was patented in 1966 by Dow Chemical Company”
“Chlorpyrifos is considered moderately hazardous to humans (Class II) by the World Health Organization based on acute toxicity information dating to 1999.[10] Exposure surpassing recommended levels has been linked to neurological effects, persistent developmental disorders, and autoimmune disorders. Exposure during pregnancy may harm the mental development of children.”
In the United Kingdom, the use of chlorpyrifos was banned as of 1 April 2016 (with one minor exception).[12] As of 2020, chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl were banned throughout the European Union, where they may no longer be used.[13] The EU also applied to have chlorpyrifos listed as a persistent organic pollutant under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.[14] In May 2025, it actually got listed as a POP.”
“As of August 18, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a ban on the use of chlorpyrifos on food crops in the United States.”
Long term
Development
“Epidemiological and experimental animal studies suggest that infants and children are more susceptible than adults to the effects of low-dose exposure.[49][50] Chlorpyrifos has been suggested to have negative impacts on cognitive functions in the developing brain.[51] The young have a decreased capacity to detoxify chlorpyrifos and its metabolites. It is suggested that adolescents differ from adults in the metabolism of these compounds due to the maturation of organs in adolescents.[52] This results in disruption in nervous system developmental processes, as observed in animal experiments.[49] There are several studies observed in animals that show that chlorpyrifos alters the expression of essential genes that assist in the development of the brain.”
“Human studies: In multiple epidemiological studies, chlorpyrifos exposure during gestation or childhood has been linked with lower birth weight and neurological changes such as slower motor development and attention problems.[50][53] Children with prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos have been shown to have lower IQs.[54] They have also been shown to have a higher chance of developing autism, attention deficit problems, and developmental disorders.[55] A cohort of 7-year-old children was studied for neurological damage from prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos. The study determined that the exposed children had deficits in working memory and full scale intelligence quotient (IQ).[55] In a study on groups of Chinese infants, those exposed to chlorpyrifos showed significant decreases in motor functions such as reflexes, locomotion, and grasping at 9 months compared to those not exposed.[56] Exposure to organophosphate pesticides in general has been increasingly associated with changes in children’s cognitive, behavioral and motor performance.[57][58] Infant girls were shown to be more susceptible to harmful effects from organophosphate insecticides than infant boys.”
“Animal experiments: In experiments with rats, early, short-term low-dose exposure to chlorpyrifos resulted in lasting neurological changes, with larger effects on emotional processing and cognition than on motor skills.[50] Such rats exhibited behaviors consistent with depression and reduced anxiety.[50] In rats, low-level exposure during development has its greatest neurotoxic effects during the period in which sex differences in the brain develop. Exposure leads to reductions or reversals of normal gender differences.[59] Exposure to low levels of chlorpyrifos early in rat life or as adults also affects metabolism and body weight.[60] These rats show increased body weight as well as changes in liver function and chemical indicators similar to prediabetes, likely associated with changes to the cyclic AMP system.[60] Moreover, experiments with zebrafish showed significant detriments to survivability, reproductive processes, and motor function. Varying doses created a 30%–100% mortality rate of embryos after 90 days. Embryos were shown to have decreased mitosis, resulting in mortality or developmental dysfunctions. In the experiments where embryos did survive, spinal lordosis and lower motor functions were observed. The same study showed that chlorpyrifos had more severe morphological deformities and mortality in embryos than diazinon, another commonly used organophosphate insecticide.”
Wikipedia Chlorpyrifos
Here we see Chlorpyrifos is clearly associated with Autism, and on the verge of being totally banned in America. It has already been banned in the European Union, as it causes neurological damage to humans.
In the animal studies it is remarkable the studies showed gender effects on young animals. Given the bent of the bourgeoisie who support DOW Chemicals, who brought us this material, the idea pesticides are causing people to be gay can only be described as humorous.
Article continues
“Children of agricultural workers are more likely to come into contact with chlorpyrifos. A study done in an agricultural community in Washington State showed that children who lived in closer proximity to farmlands had higher levels of chlorpyrifos residues from house dust.[82] Chlorpyrifos residues were also found on work boots and children’s hands, showing that agricultural families could take home these residues from their jobs.[82] Urban and suburban children get most of their chlorpyrifos exposure from fruits and vegetables.[83] A study done in North Carolina on children’s exposure showed that chlorpyrifos was detected in 50% of the food, dust, and air samples in both their homes and daycare, with the main route of exposure being through ingestion.[84] Certain other populations with higher likely exposure to chlorpyrifos, such as people who apply pesticides, work on farms, or live in agricultural communities, have been measured in the US to excrete TCPy in their urine at levels that are 5 to 10 times greater than levels in the general population.”
“As of 2016, chlorpyrifos was the most used conventional insecticide in the US and was used in over 40 states; the top five states (in total pounds applied) are California, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Texas. It was used on over 50 crops, with the top five crops (in total pounds applied) being soybeans, corn, alfalfa, oranges, and almonds. Additionally, crops with 30% or more of the crop treated (compared to total acres grown) include apples, asparagus, walnuts, table grapes, cherries, cauliflower, broccoli, and onions.”
“In 2007 Pesticide Action Network North America and Natural Resources Defense Council (collectively, PANNA) submitted an administrative petition requesting a chlorpyrifos ban, citing harm to the brains of developing children.[118] On 10 August 2015, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in PANNA v. EPA ordered the EPA to respond to PANNA’s petition by “revok[ing] all tolerances for the insecticide chlorpyrifos”, den[ying] the Petition or [issuing] a “proposed or final tolerance revocation” no later than 31 October 2015.[119][120] The EPA was “unable to conclude that the risk from aggregate exposure from the use of chlorpyrifos [met] the safety standard of section 408(b)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA)” and therefore proposed “to revoke all tolerances for chlorpyrifos.”[120]
“In an 30 October 2015 statement Dow AgroSciences disagreed with the EPA’s proposed revocation and “remain[ed] confident that authorized uses of chlorpyrifos products, as directed, offer wide margins of protection for human health and safety.” In a November 2016 press release, DOW argued that chlorpyrifos was “a critical tool for growers of more than 50 different types of crops in the United States” with limited or no viable alternatives.”[121] The Environment News Service quoted the Dow AgroSciences’ statement disagreeing with the EPA findings.[122]
“Chlorpyrifos is one of the most widely used pest control products in the world. It is authorized for use in about 100 nations, including the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, where it is registered for protection of essentially every crop now under cultivation. No other pesticide has been more thoroughly tested.
— Statement Dow AgroSciences October 30, 2015
“In November 2016, the EPA reassessed its ban proposal after taking into consideration recommendations made by the agency’s Science Advisory Panel which had rejected the EPA’s methodology in quantifying the risk posed by chlorpyrifos. Using a different methodology as suggested by the panel, the EPA retained its decision to completely ban chlorpyrifos. The EPA concluded that, while “uncertainties” remain, a number of studies provide “sufficient evidence” that children experience neurodevelopment effects even at low levels of chlorpyrifos exposure.”
“On 29 March 2017, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, appointed by the Trump administration, overturned the 2015 EPA revocation and denied the administrative petition by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Pesticide Action Network North America to ban chlorpyrifos.[124][125][126][127]
“The American Academy of Pediatrics responded to the administration’s decision saying they are “deeply alarmed” by Pruitt’s decision to allow the pesticide’s continued use. “There is a wealth of science demonstrating the detrimental effects of chlorpyrifos exposure to developing fetuses, infants, children and pregnant women. The risk to infant and children’s health and development is unambiguous.”[128]
“EPA estimated that, between 1987 and 1998, about 21 million pounds of chlorpyrifos were used annually in the US.[25] In 2001, chlorpyrifos ranked 15th among pesticides used in the United States, with an estimated 8 to 11 million pounds applied. In 2007, it ranked 14th among pesticide ingredients used in agriculture in the United States.[28
Wikipedia ibid
So the situation sort of hovers between illegal and legal, with Scott Pruitt of the last Trump administration supporting DOW Chemicals in their efforts at stopping a ban on Chlorpyrifos.
He met with DOW and discussed the pesticides. Then they tried to cover it up.
Article continues
“Asked in April whether Pruitt had met with Dow Chemical Company executives or lobbyists before his decision, an EPA spokesman replied: “We have had no meetings with Dow on this topic.” In June, after several Freedom of Information Act requests, the EPA released a copy of Pruitt’s March meeting schedule which showed that a meeting had been scheduled between Pruitt and Dow CEO Andrew Liveris at a hotel in Houston, Texas, on 9 March.[128] Both men were featured speakers at an energy conference. An EPA spokesperson reported that the meeting was brief and the pesticide was not discussed.[129]
“In August, it was revealed that in fact Pruitt and other EPA officials had met with industry representatives on dozens of occasions in the weeks immediately prior to the March decision, promising them that it was “a new day” and assuring them that their wish to continue using chlorpyrifos had been heard. Ryan Jackson, Pruitt’s chief of staff, said in an 8 March email that he had “scared” career staff into going along with the political decision to deny the ban, adding “[T]hey know where this is headed and they are documenting it well.”[130]
Wikipedia chlorpyrifos
Yet there is little sympathy for gender problems in Trump’s Republican bourgeoisie. It is now not uncommon for a person to be gay, and the right to marriage is even allowed. The right to be with whoever you choose to be with has become a personal choice. It is supported by law, and a majority of people support gay marriage.
Which of course is offensive to Trump and his following. But when we find exposure to Chlorpyrifos in animal studies is connected with gender reversal, all we can do is feel sympathy for anyone who was exposed, and is now having gender issues.
Whatever. Instead of looking for the reason why more children have Autism in the foods and farming techniques being practiced, the Republican bourgeois instead blame the Autism problem with vaccinations.
“ATLANTA — Federal vaccine advisers installed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. voted Thursday to effectively remove an ingredient from flu shots, achieving a longtime, controversial goal of anti-vaccine activists and illustrating how their priorities are becoming official government guidance.
“The vote to no longer recommend influenza vaccines that contain the preservative thimerosal, based on the presentation of a single vaccine critic, is likely to have limited impact because the vast majority of flu shots are thimerosal-free.
“Thimerosal has been at the heart of false claims that vaccines can cause autism…
“This particular kind of vaccine, the multi-dose vial, is going to children, little children, it’s destroying their brains,” Kennedy said in a July 2023 podcast appearance. “I believe my belief is strongly grounded in science.”
Washington Post 6 26 2025
You really have to wonder how far from the scientific community these types of decisions are. There has been no positive studies linking vaccines to Autism. But when we look at pesticides, obviously we find a smoking gun. Chlorpyrifos are causing Autistic children, this is supported by human research. Animal research has shown gender reversal and neurological disorders connected with exposure to Chlorpyrifos.
The bourgeoisie has consistently opposed any regulation and laws regarding pesticides. Every ban has come with a legal and political struggle, with Republicans opposing laws banning the pesticides. Here again we have support for the large capitalist chemical companies who make large profits selling this stuff to farmers, who are probalay mostly ignorant to the real effects of this on their children, and the people they sell their produce to.
I don’t know if they are conspiring as regards their autism vaccine connection. It would seem to remove some of the guilt from DOW Chemicals, who control parts of the state under Trump, and have the power to remove EPA workers and leadership that is not in favor of pesticides, if vaccines were really what was causing Autism in children.
This has been going on for some time now, the companies know their products are causing illness yet keep producing toxic products for pest control on farms.
Well here they are caught again. The research shows their dirty hands, and their disregard of human and ecological health is their quest to create ever larger amounts of surplus value. Will it matter this time?
Nicholas Jay Boyes
Milwaukee Wisconsin
American Democratic Republic
7 8 2025
Ecological Era 