Herbicide
contamination in US drinking water
A new report released by the Environmental Working
Group (EWG) and Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) states that more than
14 million people in the US routinely drink water that is contaminated with
carcinogenic herbicides. The report, entitled Tap Water Blues,
investigates the Midwest, Louisiana, and the Chesapeake Bay regions for
contamination by five of the most commonly used herbicides in the United States
— alachlor, metolachlor, atrazine, cyanazine and simazine. The study finds
contamination, often by two or more of the herbicides, in the drinking water of
all three regions. In addition, at least 90% of all US municipal water treatment
facilities lack the equipment to remove these chemicals. Triazine herbicides,
such as atrazine and simazine were the most frequently found pesticides.
Herbicide pollution is particularly extensive in the Midwest,
where corn (maize) and soybean growers apply about 150 million pounds of the
five herbicides annually. According to Richard Wiles of the Environmental
Working Group, “the drinking water in nearly every midwestern city south of
Chicago is contaminated with agricultural weed killers.”
The report analyses results of tests on 20,000 samples taken
from treated tap water and from rivers and reservoirs that are drinking water
sources. The EWG and PSR argue that although the EPA has standards for allowable
concentrations of herbicides in drinking water, they are inadequate for
protecting the public from the herbicides examined in the joint report. In fact,
there is no enforceable standard at all for cyanazine, the most toxic of the
five pesticides.
Tap
Water Blues: Herbicides in Drinking Water R. Wiles, B. Cohen, C. Campbell, S.
Elderkin; EWG/PSR Press, Environmental Working Group, Oct. 18, 1994;
Environmental Working Group, 1718 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 600, Washington
DC 20009, US. Physicians for Social Responsibility, 1000 16th Street NW Suite
810, Washington DC 20036, US. See also Pesticide Action Network North America
Updates Service, Topic 562 11/11/94.
Too
many food miles on the clock
Food is being transported over longer ‘food
mile’ distances from producer to consumer. For example, apples travel over
12,000 miles (19,000 kms) from New Zealand to be eaten in the UK. Even within
the UK, vegetables are often transported hundreds of miles just for packaging
and distribution. Cheap fossil energy makes intensive agriculture and
long-distance food transport economically viable. The prices in the shops,
however, do not reflect the full costs of the damage caused. These costs include
The Food Miles Report explores
some of the wider social and ecological implications of the international food
trade and suggests how individuals, retailers and policy makers can reduce
damaging and unnecessary food miles.
The
Food Miles Report: the dangers of long distance food transport Angela Paxton,
The Safe Alliance, 38 Ebury St., London SW1WOLU, UK, 68pp. Also available: Food
Miles Information Pack, 6p.
EU
pesticides become toxic waste in Albania
In 1992, the EU’s PHARE programme —Poland-Hungary Aid for the Reconstruction
of the Economy — provided funds for the export of 214 tonnes of pesticides to
Albania. However, the export was financed without adequate information as to
whether the exports were needed or suitable. PHARE, unlike other aid programmes,
is demand-driven — governments can present a shopping list of needs. It now
appears that:
at
least 3,000 tonnes of pesticides already existed in government stores and on
collective farms;
most
of the 350,000 newly privatised smallholding farmers cannot afford to buy
foreign pesticides;
most
of these new farmers have little or no experience in handling toxic
chemicals; they do not have information about the dangers of toxic
chemicals; nor do they have information about the dangers of the particular
pesticides or the necessary protective equipment.
By
mid-1994 only a third of the pesticides had been sold, and the remaining stock
will expire in 1994-95. The pesticides sent include OPs, carbaryl and thiodan
(containing endosulfan).
Deadly
Donations: EU and World Bank Pesticide Aid to Albania Topsy Jewell and Jan
Rispens. Greenpeace International, Kaisergracht 176, 1016 DW Amsterdam,
Netherlands, 23 pp.
Giving
up tobacco
Tobacco: The Smoke Blows South,
produced by The Panos Institute, counters the claims of the Tobacco industry
that tobacco is profitable for the farmers in the South. The Panos report says
tobacco prices have fallen by 50% in real terms over the last decade, whilst the
costs of fertilisers and pesticides have increased sharply over the same period.
Profitable alternatives to tobacco exist but have received little attention.
Whilst smoking in the North is on the decline, in the South, it is on the
increase. At present one million people die every year in the South from
smoking-related
Tobacco:
The Smoke Blows South The Panos Institute, 9 White Lion St., London NJ 9PD, UK.
World
biopesticide market trends
Although many of the top agrochemical companies
have an interest, the biopesticide market is made up of a number of small
biotech specialists, according to market analysts PJB Publications. Some
agricultural companies see biopesticides, such as the market leader Bacillus
thruringensis, as valuable supplements to their conventional chemicals.
Others may just not wish to be left behind when, or if, biopesticides sales take
off. Regulations for biopesticide registration vary around the world, but tend
to be less stringent than those for chemical pesticides. However, those
biopesticides which are genetically modified organisms are subject to additional
regulations. The main commercial advantages of biopesticides are seen as: low
environmental impact; reduced risk of resistance; and low development costs and
ease of registration. Some of the commercial disadvantages are: narrow control
spectrum; physical instability; high persistence; slow speed of kill; high
production costs. Clearly the narrow control is an environmental benefit which
clashes with a commercial down-side.
Although some predictions have said the biopesticide market
could reach US$ 10-60 billion by the turn of the century, current thinking
suggests this to be optimistic as the 1993 market was only US$ 600 million, up
from US$ 120 million in 1991.
Biopesticides
in Crop Protection (DS 95), Agrow, 18-20 Hill Rise, Richmond Surrey, TWJO 6UA,
UK, pp12O.
Cotton
insect pests
This impressive encyclopaedic text provides a
comprehensive review of the biology and pest status of insects which attack
cotton throughout the world. The wide range of bollworm, boll weevil, aphids,
whitefiles, jassids, psyllids and lygus bugs pests are described focusing
additionally on damage characteristics, economic injury caused and population
dynamics. Chemical control aspects are covered, but emphasis is placed on
non-chemical control such as biological, cultural and microbial control.
Concluding chapters assess and suggest adopting integrated pest management which
hopes to minimise the use of insecticides and promotes sustainable control
methods. Insect Pests of Cotton will become a standard reference work for
entomologists and those involved in cotton production.
Insect
Pests of Cotton G. Matthews (Ed.), CAB International, Wallingford, Oxon, OXJO
8DE, UK, 592pp.
Vegetable
pests’ enemies
For those with little training, this handy manual
provides the fundamental background to the natural enemies which can control
vegetable pests. This is done by providing descriptions of life-cycles and notes
on identification. The authors recall that the first rule of any integrated pest
management programme is “know your pest”. They now add, “know your natural
enemy” as an equally important additional rule. Most of the specific examples
are quoted from the north-east US. Despite this, the information presented is
useful regardless of location.
Natural
Enemies of Vegetable Pests Michael Hoffman & Anne Frodsham, Cornell
University (NF), Media Services Resource Center, 7BTP, Ithaca, NY 14850, US,
48pp.
Methyl
bromide standards
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has produced a
background report on the fumigant methyl bromide. As part of their Environmental
Health Criteria series on pesticides, it is intended to cover the safe use of
chemicals and the avoidance of environmental hazards. In this respect a range of
benchmark national occupational and environmental standards are produced, which
are useful when present together.
Various neuropsychiatric signs and
symptoms after acute and long-term exposure to methyl bromide are listed. The
International Agency for Research on Cancer is quoted concluding that there is
inadequate evidence for the carcinogenicity of methyl bromide in humans.
About 50% of manufactured methyl
bromide eventually enters the atmosphere. Some of this reaches the upper
atmosphere and is partly responsible for ozone depletion. In order to overcome
this the main recommendation requires more efficient use of methyl bromide and
less loss to the atmosphere.
Methyl
Bromide (Bromomethane), Heath and Safety Guide, Environmental Health Criteria
IPCS WHO, Geneva, 1994, 4Opp.
US
carcinogen list
By law, the US authorities have to produce a list of substances which are either
known or reasonably anticipated to be carcinogens. Some pesticides included
under the “may reasonably be anticipated to be carcinogens” are the
herbicide amitrole, grain fumigant carbon tetrachloride, the insecticides DDT
and mirex, the fungicide Hexachlorobenzene and the pesticide dioxin impurity
2,3,7,8 TCCD. The Seventh Annual Report updates previous assessments on
the US cancer debate. There are no new pesticide assessments in this latest
edition, although those already cited do contain updated information.
Seventh
Annual Report on Carcinogens 1994: Summary US Dept. of Health, National
Toxicology Program, P0 Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, US,
42’3pp.
Danish
green care
Danish practitioners of non-chemical pest control have produced a manual which
covers private and public gardens and agriculture. Published by the General
Workers Union in Denmark, Green Care is not exhaustive but will encourage
alternative pest control whilst reducing risks to people and the environment. Green
Care has been widely distributed to relevant politicians and organisations
in Denmark. Unfortunately, copies are only available in Danish. It is hoped that
an English version will be produced in the future.
Grønpleje
(Green Care) Jesper Lund-Larsen, General Workers Union, Nyropsgade 30, 1602 København
V Denmark, 125pp.
UK
pesticide guide
The 1995 edition of the guide of pesticides used by farmers and growers is
available. Pesticide profiles are given for 485 active ingredients for use in
agriculture, horticulture, forestry and industrial weed control. Health and
safety requirements and environmental concerns are cited for each pesticide.
There are 10 new active ingredients listed and information on Maximum Residues
Levels has been updated. The format has been improved on the previous year’s
publication.
The
UK Pesticide Guide CABI and BCPC, Bear Farm, Bracknell, Berks., RGJ2 5QE, UK
Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1734 341998, 561pp.
Pesticide
restrictions
An updated 1994 version of the UN list of products (including about 250
pesticides) banned or restricted by various governments has been produced. The
21-word-titled book, fortunately abbreviated to The UN List, provides a brief
description and date of legislative action carried out on pesticides by
governments reporting to the UN. In addition, a limited amount of manufacturers
data is also available. For some pesticides, a listing of known manufacturers,
an indication of where they are based is listed.
Consolidated
list of products whose consumption and/or sale have been banned withdrawn,
severely restricted or not approved by governments, Fifth Issue The Secretary,
United Nations Publications Board, New York, NY 1001 7, US, 1994, 935pp.
Pesticide
manual
The tenth edition of The Pesticide Manual includes the basic profile of
over 700 pesticide active ingredients word-wide. As a world compendium, it
provides a pretty comprehensive selection— and contains a greater emphasis on
the ecotoxicity and environmental fate of pesticides, which is to be
welcomed.
The
Pesticide Manual (incorporating The Agrochemicals Handbook) BCPC & Royal
Society of Chemistry Bear Farm, Binfield, Bracknell, Berks., RGJ2 5QE, UK,
1,200pp.
Insect
control guide
The Insect Control Guide provides comprehensive details of pesticides
used according to crop, in the US. In common with many manuals these days, the
latest edition has expanded information on IPM and environmental impact. For
example, basic data on insecticide ratings for leaching are set out and measures
to develop a drift management plan are suggested. A wide range of biocontrol
agents are also outlined.
The
Farm Chemicals Handbook ‘95 and Weed Control Manual 1994 are also available.
Insect Control Guide, volume 8 Meister Publishing Co., Euclid Aye, Willoughby,
OH, 44094-5992, US, 1995, pp422.
UK
company health directory
This directory , produced in association with The
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, provides the first published
information on health and safety contacts in the UK’s top 6,000 companies.
Areas covered relevant to pesticide issues include: environmental health;
hazardous chemicals; protective clothing and work-wear.
Health
& Safety Manager’s Yearbook 1994/95 AP Information Services, 296 Golders
Green Road, London, NW11 9PZ, UK, 692pp.
Economic
evaluation of IPM
This report briefly reviews the current state of
knowledge on the economic evaluation of IPM programmes in the US. Information is
provided on the economic benefits of IPM, the effects of IPM on pesticide use,
and methods for evaluation. An annotated bibliography of evaluation studies is
included. The results of 61 economic IPM evaluations in cotton, soybeans,
vegetables, fruits, peanuts, tobacco, corn and alfalfa are presented. These
evaluations indicated that pesticide use, on average, decreased for seven out of
eight commodities.
Economic
Evaluation of Integrated Pest Management Programs: a literature review George
Norton & Jeffery Mullen, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia State
University, Blacksberg, VA, 24061, US, 112pp.
[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 26, December 1994, pages 22-23]