Syngenta Move Away from Animal Pesticide Test Could Reduce Costs

An outside science panel convened by the EPA will review pesticide makers’ move to conduct a new safety test without relying on laboratory animals.

The substitution, if deemed valid, could slash testing costs and the use of laboratory animals—a broad goal of both the Environmental Protection Agency and chemical firms required to submit many rodent-based studies before they can market their products.

EPA science advisers will discuss in December whether pesticide manufacturers could use cells from human nasal tracts to test safety instead of lengthy and expensive rodent inhalation protocols.

The EPA’s Scientific Advisory Panel meeting will review a case ...