Pesticides Producers Association

Pesticides Producers Association, 263 PETRARCH , silanes and silicones, 104 Petresa Group, 203... 

Universal and selective detectors, linked to GC or LC systems, have remained the predominant choice of analysts for the past two decades for the determination of pesticide residues in food. Although the introduction of bench-top mass spectrometers has enabled analysts to produce more unequivocal residue data for most pesticides, in many laboratories the use of selective detection methods, such as flame photometric detection (FPD), electron capture detection (BCD) and alkali flame ionization detection (AFID) or nitrogen-phosphorus detection (NPD), continues. Many of the new technologies associated with the on-going development of instrumental methods are discussed. However, the main objective of this section is to describe modern techniques that have been demonstrated to be of use to the pesticide residue analyst. 

Deaths of target organisms associated with intentional pesticide applications to insect-infested crops, weed-choked roadsides, and nematode-laced fields are predictable, desirable, and relatively easy to measure. Likewise, catastropic releases of chlorine from ruptured tank cars or of crude oil from scuttled supertankers may produce a spectrum of biological effects including toxicity. These events are easily associated with exposures to toxic substances and particular environmental circumstances. 

Food safety, have to face the possible contamination produced during the whole process, including those from enviromnental contamination or used directly related to the food production (pesticides, veterinary drugs, contamination associated with cooking, processing, packaging, and conservation, among others). 

Strategies to prevent contamination by pesticides are specified quite differently in national regulations. The maximum percentage of fodder brought in from other organie farms and eonventional farms must not exceed 10-50% and 5-15% i.e. for ruminants, respeetively (KRAV Soil Association AMAB, Italy 1997) in order to avoid imdesired inputs of pesticides to organic animal produce. 

Brown (1992) conducted a cohort mortality study of workers employed at four pesticide manufacturing plants. The 1158 workers employed at Plant 3 of the study, which produced aldrin and dieldrin, were also potentially exposed to l,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane produced at the plant between 1975 and 1976. The cohort included all white males employed for six or more months before 1964 with follow-up through 1987. Although overall cancer mortality at Plant 3 was not elevated (SMR, 0.9 95% Cl, 0.7-1.1 = 72), an excess of liver and biliary tract cancer was observed (SMR, 3.9 95% Cl, 1.3-9.2 5 observed). All of the deaths occurred at least 15 years after first employment (SMR, 4.9), but no association was observed with duration of employment. The SMR for lung cancer was 0.7 (95% Cl, 0.4-1.0). Levels of exposure were not reported. Amoateng-Adjepong et al. (1995) reported the results of an update of the same cohort with three additional years of follow-up. No new association was reported. 

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