Sprays lead arsenate

Nelson WC, Lykins AlH, Mackey J et al Mortality among orchard workers exposed to lead arsenate spray A cohort study, y Chron Dis 26 105-118, 1973... 

Handson, P.D. (1984) Lead and Arsenic levels in wines produced from vineyards where lead arsenate sprays are used for caterpillar control./. Sci. FoodAgric., 35, 215-218. 

In addition to their concern regarding spray residues of the lead arsenate and organic types, canners whose fruits are sprayed with lime sulfur have reason for concern over the presence of sulfur in their canned products. The presence of elemental sulfur or simple compounds of reduced sulfur in canned foods, especially in those products having an acid character, is objectionable, not only because it may be the source of sulfide flavor and staining, but also because it may actively accelerate the formation of hydrogen by the corrosive action of the product on the container. 

The purpose of this work was to determine the toxicity to mosquito larvae of insecticide spray residues. That certain insecticides are translocated in plants (4, 5) adds impetus to this study. Fresh orchard fruit sprayed or dusted with preparations containing parathion (0,0-diethyl O-p-nitrophenyl thiophosphate), tetraethyl pyrophosphate (TEPP, HEPP), DDD [2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-l,l-dichloroethane], DDT [2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-l,l,l-trichloroethane], chlorinated camphene, and basic lead arsenate were shipped from California to Yonkers, N. Y., by air express for bioassay. 

In addition to the tests made on peaches and apricots, samples of prunes from trees that had been sprayed with parathion, DDT, DDD, basic lead arsenate, and toxaphene at the rate of from 1 to 2 pounds of these insecticides per 100 gallons of water were tested on larvae of Aedes aegypti. The trees had been sprayed on April 20 and June 16, 1948. The fruit was harvested on or about September 10. Prunes from trees that had been treated with 1 quart of tetraethyl pyrophosphate and 12 pounds of sulfur dust per acre on June 15, and harvested about July 6, were tested on larvae of the above named species. None of the prune samples tested in this study exhibited any significant toxicity to mosquito larvae as compared with the unsprayed check. 

Selocide is not compatible with acid lead arsenate (PbHAs04) under normal spray program conditions, but is compatible with cryolite (NasAIFe) (5). Selocide is compatible with DDT [2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-l,l,l-trichloroethane] and has been used with DDT for the control of mites and Codling moth, Carpocapsa pomonella L., during the 1947 and 1948 growing seasons. 

The use of plant extracts for insect control dates into antiquity the use of Paris green as an insecticide for control of the Colorado potato beetle in 1867 probably marks the beginning of the modern era of chemical control of injurious insects. The development of lead arsenate followed later in the nineteenth century for gypsy moth control. The commercial production of nicotine insecticides, the production of calcium arsenate at the time of the first world war, and the use of fluorine, arsenical, and cyanide compounds, as well as other inorganic chemicals for insect control, were important steps in pest control. These chemicals were applied largely by dilute high pressure sprays or dusts. 

During the 1960s, Americans lived in a lead-drenched society. They fueled their cars with leaded, antiknock gasoline. They ate food and their babies drank milk from lead-soldered cans. They stored drinking water in lead-lined tanks and transported it through lead or lead-soldered pipes. They squeezed toothpaste from lead-lined tubes and poured wine from bottles sealed with lead-covered corks. They picked fruit sprayed with lead arsenate pesticide and served it on lead-glazed dishes in houses painted and puttied with lead-based compounds. 

Neal PA et al A study of the effect of lead arsenate exposure on orchardists and consumers of sprayed fruit. US Public Health Service Bull No. 267, pp 47-165, 171-181. Washington, DC, US Gkjvemment Printing Office, 1941... 

Fed pine voles Pitymys pinetorium) from orchard sprayed with lead arsenate. Concentrations (mg Pb/kg dry weight) were 60.3 in whole voles, 5.7 in cat diet containing voles, and 3.2 in control cat diet... 

Pollution with arsenic can also be due to human, industrial activity, and most of the arsenic in the atmosphere is from the burning of fossil fuels. Arsenic has been used in fruit sprays, insecticides (lead arsenate), weedkillers (sodium or copper arsenite), rat poison, sheep dips, fly papers, wood preservative, and in glass-making. It is now also used in the semiconductor industry. Apparently, it was used as a pesticide by the Chinese centuries ago. Most of the arsenic used commercially in the world is probably contained in various pesticides. This inevitably leads to contamination of the environment. 

As with lead arsenate, the broad conclusions that Neal drew from his DDT inhalation tests could be supported only by a selective reading of his data. The experiments showed that DDT aerosols often killed mice, but did little harm to dogs or monkeys. Two human beings exposed to DDT in the same form showed no evidence of poisoning. Neal s report, issued in September 1943, declared that DDT could be used safely as aerosol, dust, or mist spraying was approved that same month.19... 

MacMillan Smoke Wars, pp. 243—245 Quivik, Smoke and Tailings, pp. 434— 438. The Anaconda smelter produced 14,000 tons of arsenic in 1933 (it is unclear whether this is expressed as As or as As203) T. LeCain, The Limits of Eco-efficiency Arsenic Pollution and the Cottrell Electrical Precipitator in the U.S. Copper Smelting Industry, Environmental History, vol. 5, pp. 336—351 (2000). Arsenic usage for pesticides in the United States in 1934 can be calculated from P. A. Neal et al., A Study of the Effect of Lead Arsenate Exposure on Orchardists and Consumers of Sprayed Fruit, Public Health Service Bulletin 267, 1941, p. 12, as approximately 21,000 tons (as As). In this calculation, the average arsenic content of lead arsenate is assumed to be 20% and the annual consumption of Paris green is assumed to be 4.5 million pounds. 

In the good old days, lead water pipes were common and lead was in pewter tableware and in ceramic glazes. Lead arsenate was a pesticide spray on apples and... 

Lead concentration in soil can vary from one location to another, even a foot or so away, so you should test several spots. Lead levels are usually highest in areas close to buildings that have had lead paint, next to roads, and near trees in old orchards that were sprayed with lead arsenate. Take samples from the areas that are of concern to you, either where your children play or where you are considering planting a vegetable garden. 

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