Pesticides News No 22
The Journal of the Pesticides Trust
[now PAN UK]
An international perspective on the health and environmental effects of pesticides
Quarterly/December 1993
Features
Pesticides and Breast Cancer 3
Two recent studies in the US implicate the pesticide DDT as a possible cause of breast cancer. Women in Connecticut and New York with breast cancer had higher levels of DDE (a metabolite of DDT) in their breast tissue and blood (serum) than women without the disease. In Helsinki, Finland, tissue from women with breast cancer (pooled samples) had higher levels of the pesticide hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH), but not DDE, compared to tissue from women without the disease. In Israel, the only country to report a decrease in the incidence of breast cancer, the authors postulate the lower rates were due to a banning of the heavily used pesticide, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH, BHC). ByMarion Moses.
This paper describes an integrated five-point plan for cost effectively meeting the stringent EC Drinking Water Standard for pesticides of 0.1 µg/l, in the supply area of Severn Trent Water-a leading water supply company in the UK. The area is supplied from a mix of water resource types, and particular problems have been encountered with diffuse herbicide pollution of the river derived catchments. The strategies being implemented include pesticide use surveys; a comprehensive pesticide monitoring programme; promotion of a high profile catchment protection measures-the Spraysafe campaign; research on catchment vulnerability assessment using computer based geographic models; and water treatment to remove residual contaminants.
Pesticides in EC Drinking Water - limit value may be raised
From 23-24 September 1993 the Commission of European Communities hosted the "Conference on Drinking Water" in Brussels. About 250 representatives of various interest groups were invited by the Commission's DG XI (Environment), to present their positions on the planned amendment of the so-called Drinking Water Directive. By Rolf Altenburger.
Review of the Global Pesticide Market 11
In the enthusiasm for sustainable agriculture and post-Rio environmentalism, it could be over looked that the majority of global agricultural production depends on pesticides. The market for these products is estimated at over US$25,000 million a year. This article looks at the companies which dominate the field, and at trends in the global agrochemical market. By Barbara Dinham.
The high profile the environment received during the UNCED conference has died down. But have the issues been forgotten? The FAO is the lead UN agency on sustainable agriculture and has just held its biennial conference reporting on progress. There may be as many views on what makes agriculture sustainable as there are farmers. This report looks at the process of moving sustainable agriculture from the drawing board to the field. By Barbara Dinham.
Pesticide Regulation in Taiwan 14
Taiwan is a growing market for pesticide consumption, and is increasingly a major manufacturer, particularly of older, out-of-patent active ingredients. The government has not yet decided to participate in the Prior Informed Consent procedure of the FAO's International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides. This paper prepared by the Taiwan Council of Agriculture provides valuable information on pesticide use, production, export, import and new government policies to regulate pesticides.
US Pesticide Reduction Signal 16
In June the Clinton Administration announced its commitment to reducing the use of pesticides and promoting sustainable agriculture. By September 1993, the Administration developed these ideas further. They hope to put relevant legislation before the US Congress half-way through 1994. Local environmentalists and consumer groups have welcomed the move in general whilst criticising aspects of the proposal. By David Buffin.
Small doses 17
Court circular 17
Hazard news 18
Polish Law to Check Hazardous Trade
After hazardous, banned pesticides produced in Germany were found in Poland, the Polish Government has taken steps to protect the country from becoming a dumping ground for the industrial world's expired and withdrawn products. The new prohibition on imports of hazardous products is part of broad legislation to control import of toxic wastes.
Local authority 19-20
Pollution 20
UK news 21
Book reviews and resources 22-23