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A study on pesticide runoff from paddy fields to a river in rural region--1: field survey of pesticide runoff in the Kozakura River, Japan.

Runoff characteristics of nine kinds of herbicides from paddy fields were surveyed in the Kozakura River, that is one of the tributaries flowing into the Lake of Kasumigaura, over a period of 23 April to 30 June (before and after rice transplantation) of year. The flow rates of river water and the concentrations of herbicides in the river water were measured every day in May and every 2 days in April and June at six survey sites along the river. The runoff characteristics of herbicides were elucidated by taking account of the rainfall data, the detailed application data (application date and quantities of herbicides applied to each paddy field in a region), and their physico-chemical properties. The runoff rates (the runoff/application amounts ratio) were calculated for each herbicide, resulting in the range of 8.2-22.4%. The runoff rates were correlated fairly well with octanol-water partition coefficient, logP(ow), rather than with water solubility of herbicides.

Agriculture↗

Pesticide management in food and water safety: international contributions and national approaches.

The obvious advantages of the use of pesticides is hampered by the risks they can pose to humans and the environment. Sound evaluations of pesticides and easy access to these evaluations will help nations to choose those pesticides that will create the fewest risks. There are now about 50 international organizations, approximately 15 of them within the United Nations system, with some engaging in pesticide evaluations and regulations. The present survey of 72 pesticides of major global economic importance reveals that there is a lack of data for many of these pesticides, whereas others might be subjected to duplicate work and even confusing regulations. More joint programs and intensified information on ongoing activities, both internationally and nationally, should be encouraged. WHO has classified 71 of the 72 pesticides according to hazard for people handling them. International cancer risk classifications exist for three of them (IARC 1987), and U.S. EPA cancer classifications for 18. The availability of pesticides impacts humans and the environment. FAO/WHO has recommended different degrees of restrictions on the availability of 16 of the pesticides. According to United Nations Headquarters (1987), 20 of the 72 pesticides have been banned, withdrawn, or severely restricted in one or more countries. ADIs have been suggested for 31 of the 72 pesticides by FAO/WHO. Nationally, U.S. EPA has established reference doses for 44 of the pesticides. MRLs have been set by FAO and WHO for 31 of the pesticides in food and by WHO for 12 in drinking water. Nationally, there are great variations in tolerance levels as well as in rules for setting these tolerances, including group tolerances for related pesticides. For the monitoring of pesticide residues in food, U.S. FDA has classified pesticides in a surveillance index to establish monitoring needs. Thirty-five of the 72 pesticides of major economic importance are included. In a typical monitoring program (Sweden), 29 of the 72 pesticides are included. It is concluded that there is a lack of accessible information on evaluations and regulations of many of the most economically important pesticides. The need for intensified assessments is stressed. The relevant United Nations agencies as well as certain independent research institutes, such as the British Monitoring and Assessment Research Center (MARC), need increased encouragement and financial support from United Nations member states to fulfill this task.

Agriculture↗

Acute illnesses associated with pesticide exposure at schools.

CONTEXT: Pesticides continue to be used on school property, and some schools are at risk of pesticide drift exposure from neighboring farms, which leads to pesticide exposure among students and school employees. However, information on the magnitude of illnesses and risk factors associated with these pesticide exposures is not available. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the magnitude of and associated risk factors for pesticide-related illnesses at schools. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Analysis of surveillance data from 1998 to 2002 of 2593 persons with acute pesticide-related illnesses associated with exposure at schools. Nationwide information on pesticide-related illnesses is routinely collected by 3 national pesticide surveillance systems: the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks pesticides program, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, and the Toxic Exposure Surveillance System. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence rates and severity of acute pesticide-related illnesses. RESULTS: Incidence rates for 1998-2002 were 7.4 cases per million children and 27.3 cases per million school employee full-time equivalents. The incidence rates among children increased significantly from 1998 to 2002. Illness of high severity was found in 3 cases (0.1%), moderate severity in 275 cases (11%), and low severity in 2315 cases (89%). Most illnesses were associated with insecticides (n = 895, 35%), disinfectants (n = 830, 32%), repellents (n = 335, 13%), or herbicides (n = 279, 11%). Among 406 cases with detailed information on the source of pesticide exposure, 281 (69%) were associated with pesticides used at schools and 125 (31%) were associated with pesticide drift exposure from farmland. CONCLUSIONS: Pesticide exposure at schools produces acute illnesses among school employees and students. To prevent pesticide-related illnesses at schools, implementation of integrated pest management programs in schools, practices to reduce pesticide drift, and adoption of pesticide spray buffer zones around schools are recommended.

Acute Disease↗

Exposure misclassification of household pesticides and risk perception and behaviour.

The aim of this paper was to compare self-reported household pesticide use or non-use in a questionnaire with reported household pesticide use from an in-depth interview, in order to elucidate any differences, and to study any differential reporting of pesticides. In the in-depth interview we asked for pesticide use, behaviour adopted while using pesticides and risk perceptions as possible factors to explain the reporting of pesticide use. The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) was used as the sampling frame. Eight hundred and thirty one parents filled out and returned the questionnaire. A random sample of 53 users and 94 non-users took part in the interview. Almost 90% of the 94 who did not report the use of pesticides in the questionnaire reported the use of pesticides during the interview. However, those who reported pesticide use in the questionnaire were more likely to report home and garden pesticide use (P < 0.05) in the interview. The parents who reported pesticide use in the questionnaire had a tendency to perceive a lower risk and higher benefit from pesticide use, and tended to be less risk averse when compared with the groups of parents who reported no pesticide use. They bought the pesticides because 'they looked safe', while those who did not report pesticide use bought them because they 'used them before'. The latter were also more likely to state that they did not understand everything on the label and that they thought that it did not provide all the information needed. They were also less likely to feel that they knew what they are doing when using pesticides and felt that pesticide use is relatively dangerous compared with other hazards. In conclusion, pesticide use is underreported in questionnaires, and behaviour and risk perception may affect the reporting.

Attitude↗

Pesticide risk reduction on crops in the Province of Ontario.

We analyzed the changes in pesticide use and risk in the Province of Ontario, Canada, from 1973 to 1998 to monitor the success of Food Systems 2002, a program to reduce pesticide use by 50%. Pesticide risk was calculated by multiplying the amount of pesticide used (kilograms of active ingredient) by the Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ), a score for the potential risk of pesticides to farmworkers, consumers, and the environment. Pesticide use increased by 46% from 1973 to 1983. From 1983, the baseline year for Food Systems 2002, to 1998, pesticide use decreased by 38.5% and risk declined 39.5%. The reductions in pesticide use and risk were primarily on corn (Zea mays L.) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), the crops with the highest pesticide use in 1983. Total pesticide use on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] did not change, but the mean application rate (kg ha(-1)) decreased by 57%. Corn and soybean account for 65% of pesticide use, but have a relatively low pesticide use and risk per hectare and per tonne of production. Total pesticide use on tobacco, fruits, and vegetables was lower than on corn or soybean, but the pesticide use and risk per hectare were much higher. Small reductions in pesticide use on corn and soybean may allow a 50% reduction in pesticide use, but greater reductions in risk can be achieved by reducing the use of "high risk" pesticides on fruit and vegetables.

Agriculture↗

Distribution of pesticide residues within homes in central New York State.

Residues for 17 pesticides were analyzed in 41 households in central New York State that represented farm, rural, and urban houses. Samples were taken in both summer and winter of 2000-2001 from the same households from four locations; family room carpet; adjacent smooth floor; flat tabletop surface; and settled dust collected in a Petri dish on a tabletop. Pesticide residues were analyzed to identity factors that influence both the transport into and the redistribution of pesticides in the indoor environment. Differences were observed between the various pesticides and pesticide classifications relative to location within and between households as well as by season. Variations in the pesticide residues were related to a number of factors. Higher residues were observed in the farm households, particularly in summer, with the highest amount observed for chloropyrifos in carpet (33 microg/m2). For many pesticides, the frequency of detection and the amount of residues were higher in summer, which relates to usage patterns in agriculture and horticulture; however, larger amounts of insecticides such as mecoprop, resmethrin, and tetramethrin were found on flat surfaces in winter, indicating household use and possible redistribution within the home. Distribution patterns suggest that routines within a household may cause high variation in residues; these practices include indoor pets and treatment for fleas and ticks, use of termiticides, and fastidiousness of occupants. Frequency of pesticide detection was highest in carpet for both summer and winter for all households, indicating that carpets hold pesticides over time. Adsorbent fibrous materials such as textiles hold pesticides by macro- and micro-occlusion in their complex structures. Amounts of pesticide residue were higher in carpets than on smooth floors, particularly for rural farm households where the farmer was a certified pesticide applicator. The maximum amount of pesticide residue on a smooth floor surface was 13.6 microg/m2 malathion while the maxima on wiped surfaces and in settled dust were 1.8 microg/m2 2, 4 D and 3 microg/m2 pendimethalin, respectively. Physical properties of individual pesticides such as vapor pressure influenced the distribution of the pesticide within the households. Evidence of volatilization of pesticides and redeposition on surfaces was observed, indicating that this is a mechanism for contamination of surfaces in addition to adsorption on airborne particles and tracking. High residues in winter are evidence that closure of households in winter that reduces ventilation results in redistribution of pesticides within households.

Dust↗