The Shell Chemical Company is fighting back vigorously against the Environmental Protection Agency's order suspending production of the pesticides aldrin and dieldrin. On August 2, EPA Administrator Russell Train announced the suspension, stating that continued manufacture of the chemicals posed an "imminent hazard" to human health. Train cited studies showing that dieldrin residues are present in most of the food Americans eat, and that small amounts of dieldrin produced cancer in mice and rats when added to their diets. Dieldrin is believed to be most dangerous to breast-fed babies, who may absorb up to 50 times as much dieldrin per pound of body weight as the average adult.

Unter the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the EPA Administrator is empowered to initiate "cancellation" proceedings to remove from the market any pesticide which presents a serious risk to human health or to the environment. When a manufacturer contests a cancellation, the Agency must hold hearings on the chemical's hazardousness before an administrative law judge. If waiting for a final decision in cancellation proceedings would present an "imminent hazard" to human health, however, the Administrator may order production or use of the chemical "suspended" until the decision is rendered. The law provides for a speeded-up hearing and decision if a manufacturer opposes a suspension order. The final Agency decision in both cancellation and suspension proceedings may be appealed to the U.S. Courts of Appeals.