Pesticide research funding

The previous section identified numerous research areas. The funding and scientific staffing (in scientist years) of such research must be the responsibility of the entire scientific enterprise to include state and federal government and private industry. Data in Tables V and VI show FY 84 or CY 84 investments in pesticide research by government and industry, respectively. Table VII provides data for the federal expenditures for toxicology-related research. 

The US Congress funded the Pesticide Data Program (PDP) in order to improve the accuracy of pesticide dietary risk assessments carried out by the US EPA. The USDA s Agricultural Marketing Service carries out the program. As recommended in the 1993 NAS/NRC report, the PDP focuses on the foods consumed most heavily by children and food is tested, to the extent possible, as eaten (Agricultural Market Service, 2004 National Research Council, 1987). For example, banana and orange samples are tested without the peel processed foods are tested as they come out of a can, jar or freezer bag. 

AERU (2009) Agriculture Environment Research Unit - THE PPDB, Pesticide Properties Database. EU-funded FOOTPRINT project, http //sitem.herts.ac.uk/aeru/footprint/en/index. htm. Accessed 2011... 

Prior to construction of the Ft. Eustis pest control facility, TRADOC requested the U.S. Army Medical Bioengineering Research and Development Laboratory (USAMBRDL) to investigate the feasibility of using an activated carbon filtration/absorption system to treat the pesticide-laden wastewater. The final system design was to 1) not be manpower intensive 2) not require extensive analytical monitoring, and 3) be compatible with both the types and quantities of pesticide wastes produced by a typical pest control facilty. The initial research was funded jointly by EPA and TRADOC. 

Identification and prioritization of research needs at the international level would result in more focused and strategic research initiatives by both the pesticide manufacturers and the larger research community. For example, the USEPA National Exposure Research Laboratory has identified general areas of research needs in children s exposure assessments for environmental exposures (Cohen Hubal et al 2000). There is a requirement to develop harmonized priorities for research that would strengthen risk assessment methodologies for pesticides. This would need to be followed by an effective communication strategy so that funding bodies and the research community were informed about such priorities. 

We need to research how to use effectively our existing pesticides, how to conserve them, and how to fit them into new strategies for pest control. In the past it was difficult to consider the use of pheromones, other alternative controls, or biological controls of pests because there was no funding incentive for development. 

The work described in this paper was funded in part by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Pesticide Hazard Assessment Program, Pacific Biomedical Research Center, University of Hawaii. The contents do not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency and no official endorsement should be inferred. 

Salaries and research support provided in part by the North Central Region Pesticide Impact Assessment Program (OH000363-SS) and by state and federal funds appropriated to The Ohio State University and the Ohio Agric. Res. Develop. Ctr., Wooster, OH. EPTC (including uC-l-propyl EPTC) and butylate were supplied by Stauffer Chemical Company. 

The in vivo pesticidal screening was performed by the Agricultural Research Division, American Cyancunid Co., Princeton, NJ Research Laboratories, Rohm and Haas Co., Spring House, PA and Agricultural Chemicals Research and Development, Uniroyal Chemical, Uniroyal Inc., Bethany, CT. This research was funded in part by the American Heart Association, Delaware Chapter. 

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