Toxicity of pesticides

The full extent of the toxicity of pesticides to aquatic life is not known. Although chronic toxicity testing is required for new substances, little is known about the long-term effects of older pesticides. Also, very little is known about the toxicity and occurrence of the products formed when pesticides break down (metabolites) or the many non-pesticidal additives (co-formulants and adjuvants) used in pesticide formulations. However, the future is looking brighter. New modelling techniques, EQS development, and the involvement of the NRA in the pesticide registration process, coupled with the development of newer, less persistent pesticides with lower dose rates, all should help to reduce the risk of pesticide pollution. 

Gaines TB. 1960. The acute toxicity of pesticides to rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2 88-99. 

Gaines TB. 1969. Acute toxicity of pesticides. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 4 515-534. 

Isshiki K, Miyata K, Martsui S, et al. 1983. [Effects of post-harvest fungicides and piperonyl butoxide on the acute toxicity of pesticides in mice. Safety evaluation for intake of food additives. III]. 

Devillers J. A general QSAR model for predicting the acute toxicity of pesticides to Lepomis macrochirus. SAR QSAR Environ Res 2001 11 397-417. 

Table 4.15. Comparative toxicity of pesticides and their metabolites (for rats) [80]...

Tables 14.6, 14.7, 14.8, 14.9 and 14.10 provide further insight into the comparative properties and toxicity of pesticides applied on organic and conventional farms to treat a given type of pest. Table 14.6 lists the primary pesticides approved for use on organic farms and their uses and target pests. Tables 14.7-14.10 again list the major organic pesticides, along with two or three conventional pesticide alternatives that are used by conventional farmers to manage the same pest problems. Tables 14.7 and 14.8 summarize the rates of application of these pesticides, while Tables 14.9 and 14.10 focus on relative measures of toxicity to mammals and other organisms.

Case Study Investigation of the Occurrence and Toxicity of Pesticides... 

Natarajan, E., R.S. Biradar, and J.P. George. 1992. Acute toxicity of pesticides to giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man). Jour. Aquacult. Tropics 7 183-188. 

Hudson, R.H., R.K. Tucker, and M.A. Haegele. 1984. Handbook of Toxicity of Pesticides to Wildlife. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. Resour. Publ. 153. 90 pp. 

Tucker, R.K. and M.A. Haegele. 1971. Comparative acute oral toxicity of pesticides to six species of birds. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 20 57-65. 

International Commission for Bee Botany (1980) Symposium on the harmonization of methods for testing the toxicity of pesticides to bees. ICBB, Wageningen... 

Huckle KR, Millbum P (1990) Metabolism, bioconcentration and toxicity of pesticides in fish. In Hutson FH, Roberts TR (eds) Progress in pesticide biochemistry, vol 7, Chap 8. Wiley, Chichester, pp 175-243... 

Brown, VK. and Muir, C.M.C. (1971). Some factors affecting the acute toxicity of pesticides to mammals when absorbed through skin and eyes. Int. Pest Control 13 16-21. 

---