2. RELEVANCE TO PUBLIC HEALTH 2.1 BACKGROUND AND ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES TO ENDOSULFAN IN THE UNITED STATES The manufacture and use of endosulfan as a broad spectrum contact insecticide and acaricide

The manufacture and use of endosulfan as a broad spectrum contact insecticide and acaricide applied to a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, etc. has led to its direct release into the environment. Technicalgrade endosulfan contains at least 94% of two pure isomers, αand β-endosulfan. The αand β-isomers of endosulfan are present in the ratio of 7:3, respectively. Endosulfan sulfate is a reaction product found in technical endosulfan; it is also found in the environment due to oxidation by biotransformation. Beginning on July 31, 2012, a voluntary cancellation and phase-out of endosulfan began and all uses of this product are scheduled to end by July 31, 2016. The phase-out will be executed in six phases over this 4-year period. During these phases, use of endosulfan on certain types of crops and products are scheduled to end.