The EPA proposed to phase out all uses of carbofuran, a farm chemical that is lethal to birds in even small doses. Numerous birds of prey and other species have died from exposure since the chemical?EUR??,,????'???s introduction in 1967, according to the National Audubon Society.

The EPA concluded that ?EUR??,,????'??there are considerable risks associated with carbofuran in food and drinking water, risks to pesticide applicators, and risks to birds that are exposed in treated fields.?EUR??,,????'??

Thirty-two other pesticides ?EUR??,,????'??+ including malathion, used widely across the country ?EUR??,,????'??+ were re-approved on July 26 for continued use. All are organophosphates, a class that some scientific studies have linked to cancer, fertility problems and damage to developing brains.

Some EPA and other federal scientists have complained that the EPA bowed to pressure from pesticide makers.

In a May letter to Johnson, they accused the EPA of skipping many steps in assessing the dangers, ?EUR??,,????'??in violation of the principles of scientific integrity and objectivity.?EUR??,,????'?? They were particularly concerned about whether the EPA was adequately assessing potential neurological effects on fetuses and children.

The EPA?EUR??,,????'???s top-ranking officials, however, called the review ?EUR??,,????'??the most comprehensive and historic overhaul of the nation?EUR??,,????'???s pesticide and food safety laws in decades.?EUR??,,????'??

Johnson said in a statement: ?EUR??,,????'??Whether planting crops, debugging a home, working in the garden or just sitting down at the dinner table, Americans everywhere can now be assured the pesticides used in the U.S. meet the highest health standards in the world.?EUR??,,????'??

Seventeen other organophosphate pesticides ?EUR??,,????'??+ including the popular household chemicals diazinon and chlorpyrifos, used to control ants, fleas and other bugs ?EUR??,,????'??+ have already been banned or heavily restricted during the Congress-ordered review.

But the EPA missed its deadline under the Food Quality Protection Act for a decision on the controversial chemical aldicarb, one of the nation?EUR??,,????'???s most widely used insecticides. Aldicarb and carbofuran are both carbamates.

Also in July, the EPA announced a ban on lindane, used to treat seeds. Lindane, which builds up in the environment and human bodies, had already been outlawed in 52 countries.