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Pesticides News No 29
The Journal of the Pesticides Trust
[now PAN UK]
An international perspective on the health and environmental effects of pesticides
Quarterly/September 1995
Health
Household spray warning - problems with pyrethroids 3
Mounting concern in Germany over the health effects of synthetic pyrethroids used as household insecticide sprays may lead to a ban on their use. A study earlier this year indicated a link between cancer and these sprays (see PN 28) and a new study suggests that pyrethroid poisoning may be affecting people using pyrethroid sprays. Symptoms have included damage to the central nervous system, dizziness, headaches, diarrhoea and panic attacks. The German Ministry of Health has drafted a proposal to ban these products, which is awaiting a departmental vote. Heike Schmitt investigates these issues.
OP sheep dips
Doctors add their voices to to farmers' call for action over sheep dips 4
A joint seminar on organophosphate (OP) sheep dips and human health, organised by the National Farmers Union and the British Medical Association, has heard calls to ban OP sheep dips. Becky Allen andPeter Beaumont report on this and the conclusions and disagreements over the interpretation of scientific research.
Third world
The cost of hazards posed by pesticides in Kenyan export crops 6
In common with many developing countries, pesticide use in Kenya is concentrated in the large-scale production sector, particularly those parts growing export crops that generate foreign exchange such as coffee, fruit, vegetables and flowers. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) International commissioned Hassan Partow to provide an audit of pesticide shipments to Kenya. This article looks at the hazards of use, and the products on the market.
Lindane in PIC procedure by end of 1995? 9
Swords into ploughshares - new training in El Salvador 10
Following the end of El Salvador's civil war in 1982, a new type of war is being fought in the fields-with pesticides to control pest problems in agriculture. After the demobilisation of the FLMN [the liberation movement] and the Salvadorian military, an agricultural training programme was set up to retrain the ex-combatants of both sides in crop production, animal care, formation of cooperatives, marketing and pesticide use. Development worker Jamie Coutts assesses an NGO programme.
Round-up of pesticide regulation in Asia 11
For more than a decade the International Organisation for Biological Control (IOBC) Working Group on Pesticides and Beneficials has been measuring the harmful effects of pesticides on natural enemies in Europe. Their experience formed the basis of a recent training course on pesticide effects (see Pesticides News 28) co-organised with the International Institute of Biological Control (IIBC) for the Asia region. During the course participants reported on the current situation of pesticide regulation in their countries.Round-up of pesticide regulation in Asia
European reports
Euro-news of NGOs 14
The Pesticides Trust
[now PAN UK] is part of the European region of the world-wide Pesticides Action Network (PAN). This section reflects PAN Europe and other NGO activities.Jesper-Lund Larsen reports on the European Federation of Agricultural Workers Pesticide Group. As a regular feature, we include items from Pestizid-Brief, the monthly newsletter of PAN-Germany, which is not normally available in English.
Integrated farming in Europe - time to move from pilot to practice 15
Integrated farming has gained more and more attention during the 1990s and the role that it is playing in environmentally sustainable farming is increasing. A recent conference, Integrated Crop Protection: Towards Sustainability, organised by Sustainable Farming Systems (a grouping of Scottish colleges) and the British Crop Protection Council was held to focus on the practical and policy implications of this form of sustainable agriculture. Some papers presented are highlighted here.
UK Environment 16
Head Lice
Combing out pesticides 17
Head lice are a common pest in childrens' hair. Contrary to popular belief, lice on a child's scalp have nothing to do with cleanliness, and even the cleanest head can harbour these arthropods. Mark Davis of the Pesticides Trust
[now PAN UK] investigates the root of the problem.
International environment 18-19
Small doses 18
Food residues 19
Fact sheet
Dichlorvos (DDVP) - a hazardous organophosphate 20
Dichlorvos is an organophosphate (OP) insecticide widely used in developing countries. Because of its high acute toxicity and the consequent dangers to workers, there are concerns whether safe use is possible under such conditions.
Organophosphates 21
Book reviews and resources 22-23