The
effects of the chlorine industry will, in future years, come under greater
scrutiny in the US, according to the Clinton Administration. A declaration to
phase out chlorine in the manufacturing process, which has clearly annoyed
industry, will have far-reaching implications. This issue looks at the impact of
traditional, heavily chlorinated pesticides on humans and the environment, and
outlines the full range of lesser chlorinated pesticides. A second article
examines the potential for some pesticides to behave as endocrine disruptors and
suggests that screening for these characteristics should be adopted. The
international cancer agency, IARC, outlines priority pesticides—but should
there be an international agency to address all chronic problems which may
result from occupational or environmental exposure: reproductive, mutagenic,
neurological, immunological, hormonal and other effects?
Press reports from China suggest that 10,000 people died in
1993 from exposure to substandard pesticides. Exact details are not available
and we do not, for example, know what pesticides/chemicals were involved. The
significance of these figures is heightened by the environmental concern for the
future. China has the largest population in the world, and with GDP currently
increasing at 13% a year, it is one of the fastest growing economies. Concern
must be raised over the disregard of, or inability to implement, basic safety
precautions.
On a brighter note, the work of the International Institute
of Biological Control has outlined the development of self-help integrated pest
management in Africa and Asia—focusing particularly on biological and cultural
control. We also follow the development of LEAF, an industry-funded initiative
linking farming and the environment: is it green-speak, or green action? As yet,
the jury is still out.
Pesticides Trust [now PAN UK] and PAN
Library—Resource Centre Opens
The Pesticides Trust and Pesticides Action Network
(PAN) Europe have built up a unique collection of material covering various
aspects of pesticide health and environmental issues, which we now have the
capacity to open to a wider audience.
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Pesticides Trust/PAN Europe library is open to public interest groups, students/researchers and Pesticides Trust affiliates and subscribers. Opening times: Monday to Friday 9.30 to 4.30. Please make an appointment to visit beforehand as the library is not permanently staffed and space is limited. |
[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 23, March 1994, page 2]