Pesticide toxicity assessment

Farre, M. et al.. Pesticide toxicity assessment using an electrochemical biosensor with Pseudomonas putida and a bioluminescence inhibition assay with Vidrio fischeri. Anal. Bioaml. Chem., 373, 696, 2002. 

With the LCA analysis, the impact categories - the impact on climate, water pollution and air pollution - are mostly evaluated. Whereas, impacts such as biodiversity or pesticide toxicity are seldom evaluated because of methodological problems [34]. The LCA study consists of four basic stages Definition of objectives and the scope, Inventory, Impact assessment and Interpretation [32]. 

Fochtman, P., Raszka, A. and Nierzedska, E. (2000) The use of conventional bioassays, microbiotests, and some rapid methods in the selection of an optimal test battery for the assessment of pesticides toxicity, Environmental Toxicology 15 (5), 376-384. 

Redondo, M.J., Lopez-Jaramillo, L., Ruiz, M.J. and Font, G. (1996) Toxicity assessment using the microtox test and determination of pesticides in soil and water samples by chromatographic techniques, Toxicology Letters 88 (Supplement 1), 30-30. 

Variations in the use pattern of industrial and agricultural chemicals throughout the world preclude standardization by international organizations such as OECD. Despite this fact, common dietary constituents, which are known to influence toxicity are antioxidants, unsaturated fatty acids, and selenium. These must be present in interfering concentrations. The potential impact of several common dietary contaminants on chronic toxicity assessment therefore, necessitates that special attention be given to their presence. In this respect, substances of concern include pesticide residues, chlorinated and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, estrogens, heavy metals, nitrosamines, and mycotoxins. 

Cumulative risk assessments evaluate the health risk for aggregate exposures accumulated over time and for multiple contaminants or stressors. In some contexts (e.g. USEPA pesticide risk assessments), cumulative refers specifically to combined exposures to chemicals that share a common mechanism of toxicity (see http // www.epa.gov/oppsrrdl/cumulative/). Populations may be defined by their location relative to sources, their activities and customs, and their susceptibility to exposures. In this context, populations can include different ethnic groups, different communities, or different age groups. Cumulative risk is a very important concept in understanding environmental health risks to children in different settings, particularly in underdeveloped countries where children may be facing multiple stressors. 

See a/so Delaney Clause Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, US Food and Drug Administration, US Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, US Pesticides Risk Assessment, Human Health Toxic Torts. 

Backhaus T, Grimme L H. The toxicity of antibiotic agents to the luminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri. Chemosphere 1999 38 3291-3301. Ruiz M J, Lopez-Jaramillo L, Redondo M J, Font G. Toxicity assessment of pesticides using the microtox test application to environmental samples. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 1997 59 619-25. 

What is the state of the art of EMs for pesticide risk assessment In a review of 39 publications, Grimm et al. (Chapter 9) scanned the models for certain characteristics. They found a high diversity of model types, with a dominance of simple models that often were neither verihed nor validated. Toxicity was often included in a simplistic way, not fully making use of the potential of EMs. Moreover, risk was often not quantihed in a way that would allow using model output in regulatory risk assessments. 

The process whereby the risks associated with the use of pesticides are assessed has become Increasingly complex over the years, and even the definition of the term risk assessment Is widely variable. However, most Include the concepts of hazard and probability of occurrence and require Information on toxicology and exposure. In the Ideal situation there should be accurate data on the actual amount of pesticide to which the worker was exposed. Including the primary route of exposure, the absorption should be known, enabling correction of the exposure estimate, and the amount of pesticide necessary to cause toxic effects In test animals should be known. From these data. It could be determined whether the product could be used safely. 

Humbert S, Margni M, Charles R, Torres Salazar OM, Quiros AL, JoUiet O. Toxicity assessment of the main pesticides used in Costa Rica. Agric Ecosyst Environ 2007 118(1—4) 183—90. 

Ritter L (1989) Assessment of pesticide toxicity regulatory viewpoints, 1st edn. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL... 

Another section of the EPA, the Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances (OPPT), has recently updated and harmonized its testing guidelines for evaluating the developmental and reproductive effects of pesticides and industrial chemicals to include an assessment of endocrine disrupting properties. These guidelines will be used in future testing of pesticides under both the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). 

Until recently, the NRA has not participated during the approval process in assessing the potential environmental impact of pesticides. However, the NRA does supply monitoring data to MAFF and HSE for pesticide reviews. These occur once a pesticide has been approved for use for a certain length of time, or when further information is needed on an approved pesticide. In supplying these data, the NRA comments on any areas of concern. This contributed to the 1993 ban on the use of atrazine and simazine on non-cropped land. In January 1995 the NRA s National Centre for Toxic and Persistent Substances (TAPS) was made advisor to the DoF, on the potential impact on the aquatic environment of... 

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