New Regulations Proposed for Pesticides Use

The following link, retrieved February 27, 2006, gives an important lead for improved safety standards in pesticides use

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060227/NEWS01/602270318/1001

Let California not be the only place with this universally beneficial change: ask your local authorities to consider copying these proposed changes for the safety of your community

New Doubts about Pesticides Registered Long Ago

The following link, retrieved February 27, 2006, exposes serious limitations of the regulatory process:

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060227/NEWS01/602270312/1001

Pesticides put on the market by careless and rushed registrations, expose the public to untold risks.

The best we can do in the circumstances is to avoid exposure and residues. We need the cooperation of users to make sure that pesticides do not make their way in to our food and water supplies.

Pesticides in Rivers

The following link, retrieved on date, refers to a ban on movement of pesticides across rivers:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-02/26/content_4230792.htm

Road transport also involves crossing rivers and major water bodies in some cases. We need precautions such as the Chinese have suggested for rivers and densely populated areas, when pesticides move across roads that have narrow, weak and outdated bridges.

The logistics functions of pesticides manufacturers and local regulators should ensure that emergency response procedures are documented and rehearsed, to protect natural wealth and people who live downstream from a potential accident zone.

Pesticide Dangers of Tomatoes

The following link, retrieved on February 25, 2006, is terrifying photographic evidence of pesticide abuse in tomato fields:

http://www.wwaytv3.com/Global/story.asp?S=4538334&nav=menu70_2

Tomatoes are as attractive for pests as they are for us, and farmers use a number of toxic pesticides to keep their vines from harm. Women of child bearing age should stay away from tomato fields, but often stray in to them because they need the wages or because they are ignorant of the dangers.

Pesticide users have an obligation to keep women away from treated fields-PHIs (pre-harvest intervals) are known for registered pesticides and responsible manufacturers state them on labels.

A Warning for Farmers who Abuse Pesticides

The link given below retrieved on February 23, 2006, shows the deleterious effects of farmers abusing pesticides by not observing pre-harvest intervals:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-02/euhs-odl012406.php

Children’s urine would not show metabolites of pesticides if farmers observe label directions. It is not necessary to resort to organic produce to free children of harmful pesticide residues.

Pesticide Pre-Harvest Intervals Matter

The following link, retrieved on date, demonstrates the need to put Pre-Harvest Intervals (PHIs) on pesticide containers, in languages that farmers can read.

< http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C02%5C21%5Cstory_21-2-2006_pg7_41>


Retailers have important roles to play in disseminating this life-saving information amongst poor rural communities who have not had the opportunity to learn to read. Women of child-bearing age are especially vulnerable. The simple but essential discipline of observing PHIs is essential to safeguard human wellness in areas where pesticides are used.

The Human Cost of Pesticides Abuse

Poor and illiterate families of farm workers around the world are the saddest victims of pesticides abuse.

The following link, retrieved February 20, 2006, carries disturbing reports about the indigenous people of Mexico:

http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096412487

It is simple to avoid exposure risks that arise from pesticide use, storage and transport. Extension efforts to promote safe and judicious pesticides use can make deep inroads in to cases of acute and chronic toxicity.

The Limits of Pesticide Regulation

Toxicology, it may be argued, has severe limitations in terms of ensuring adequate standards of human safety. Subjective errors by regulators exacerbate the problem.

The following link, retrieved on February 15, 2006, is an example of how experts can make mistakes in approving the use of pesticides without proper scrutiny of test data.

http://www.sthelenastar.com/articles/2006/02/16/news/local/iq_3302386.txt

Judicious use by farmers is the only long term answer to containing the environment and safety drawbacks of pesticides. It is relatively easy to avoid exposure if you know how!

Help Keep Pesticides out of Public Water

The following link, retrieved on February 15, 2006, shows how farmers can keep community water resources free of dangerous pesticide residues:

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/global-1200.shtml

Small farmers need common facilities to drain, isolate and degrade spray and run off solutions, before they under underground and flowing water systems

A Useful List for Pesticide Folk

Anyone who deals with pesticides in any capacity should keep an action list ready to deal with emergencies.

The following link, retrieved February 14 2006, is handy and easy to use:

http://www.continuitycentral.com/ActionList.doc

It helps if every member of a pesticides team rehearses adverse events to keep ready to meet any eventuality.

This applies to adverse events that do not involve pesticides as well.

England and Wales Take a Lead in Safe Pesticides Use

Scotland and Ireland have their own versions of a new code for England and Wales that requires pesticides users to keep records of sprays and public water use.

The new code goes a long way towards improving public safety with respect to pesticides. It is a model for other countries to copy.

Use the following link, retrieved February 14, 2006 for details:

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/global-1200.shtml

Information Imperatives for Pesticide and Other Toxic Chemicals

Pesticide abuse often occurs simply because people do not know better.

Use the following link to read US Government guidelines on how information about hazardous chemicals should be widely known. (Link retrieved February 14 2006)

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardcommunications/index.html

Please make sure that you study and understand label text before handling chemicals!

Management Cockpits to Manage Pesticide Emergencies

Acute poisoning during application, transport accidents, natural disasters in storage zones, spills and inhalation exposure… these are some of the routine risks pesticides operators have to take on a daily basis during the growing season.

The concept of a Management Cockpit can serve to make an Emergency and Poisoning Response System more effective. The following link, retrieved on date, proves how logistic control improves with relevant electronic databases at a controller’s fingertips:

< http://www.juergendaum.com/news/09_30_2004.htm>

A Management Cockpit for adverse events concerning pesticides should provide for the following:

- Multi-media links with the accident site
- MSDS information
- Real-time contact with regulators at national, state and local levels
- Media contacts for public information
- Cash, travel and victual resources
- Real time contact with back-up, support and management teams
- Business Continuity arrangements

A Deadly Legacy of Pesticides and Plastics

Both pesticides and plastics tend to produce dioxins. The latter are amongst the most toxic and persistent chemicals known.

The following link, retrieved on date, indicates the dangers that a company which deals in both plastics and pesticides imposes on the community:

http://www.mlive.com/news/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/news-6/113958817273600.xml&coll=4

62% of Europeans Worry about Pesticides in Food

The results of a recent survey show that a majority of Europeans worry about pesticide residues in food. Report retrieved on date from:

http://www.euractiv.com/Article?tcmuri=tcm:29-152346-16&type=News

This shows that there is considerable potential for Community Supported Agriculture, ISO 14000 certification and for the safe application of pesticides.

Good News about Pesticides at Last

Depressing daily reports about abuse of pesticides, makes the following link (retrieved on date) a refreshing break!

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_WA_Pesticide_Exposure.html

This report proves that pesticides can be used with relative safety. It should be emulated throughout the world in which communities are vulnerable to toxic exposure

Combination Pesticide Toxicity

US researchers have new evidence of how abuse of combination pesticides can affect the environment. (Report retrieved on date from)

http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/life_sciences/report-54824.html

This highlights the need for farmers to have adequate resources to degrade wash and run off solutions of all pesticides, before they enter public soil and water systems

Tank mixes by farmers in the field are even more dangerous than registered combinations, for their toxicology has not been profiled at all.

Knowledge of and commitment to safe use practices is always important for pesticides, and its importance is heightened when farmers use combination pesticides in any form

Free Pesticides of Solvents

Vapor intrusion is a serious concern for all communities, and it can rear an ugly head long after we think that toxic chemicals have gone away. See the following link retrieved on date from:

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-litox0205,0,4623324.story?coll=ny-top-headlines

Very little is known about vapor intrusion. We do not have reliable NOELs and there are many solvents which have not been studied at all.

There are no technical considerations in the 21st century to continue with solvents as carriers for pesticides, and we should insist on aqueous formulations.

The Dangers of Pyrethroid Pesticide Abuse

Science News Online reports in its edition for the week of February 04 2006, (retrieved on date from)

http://mail.google.com/mail/?view=att&disp=attd&attid=0.1&th=109380d8a01c8247

that pyrethroids which were hitherto considered relative safe, can damage eco-systems, if abused.

This reinforces the view that all pesticides regardless of their chemical structure should be applied by trained operators who are equipped to degrade wash and run-off solutions before they enter public water and soil. This group of products is unsuitable for casual use by people at large.

Pesticides in Colombo well water

The Asian Tribune reports that pesticides have been found in well water in areas of Sri Lanka around Colombo city.
Report retrieved on date from

http://www.asiantribune.com/show_news.php?id=16915

The villages grow leafy vegetables and have taken increasingly to pesticides. The water is used for drinking and for bottled water as well. Fortunately, two of the three pesticides tested had residues within prescribed limits.
The report proves that farmers need common effluent discharge facilities so that wash water can be treated effectively to safeguard the community.

Disposal of Expired and Persistent Pesticides

ABC Online reports from Australia on how a chemical company with stocks of expired pesticides searches for a site where it can dispose off the persistent poisons:
Retrieved on date from:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200602/s1560280.htm
Places with emergency facilities, but not populated or with endangered species are difficult to find.
Excess inventory disposal is one of the most contentious issues faced by the beleaguered pesticides industry in the first world.