Advisory Committee on Pesticides Annual Report 2001

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Section F: Other items considered during the year to grain. Organophosphates continued to account for the majority of pesticides used in grain stores and in the current survey they accounted for 85 percent of the total weight of pesticides applied. Other Items Aquatic risk management options In the UK, buffer zones are required for some products to prevent an unacceptable risk of damage to aquatic life. A buffer zone is a strip of land adjacent to surface water left untreated with that product. The size of the buffer zone may be reduced under some circumstances following an appropriate Local Environmental Risk Assessment conducted under the relevant LERAP scheme. However, at present the maximum size of buffer zone that could be required for a product approved for use on arable crops is five metres. There are different risk management options used in other European Member States resulting in some differences in the range of products available to growers across Europe. The ACP considered a number of the approaches adopted by other Member States, some of which allow for buffer zones in arable crops of greater than five metres. It also considered the results of a limited survey giving evidence on compliance with the existing risk management strategy in the UK. Overall, members concluded that while larger buffer zones in arable crops would be capable of providing risk mitigation, they would require better evidence of compliance with the current arrangements before considering any increase in the maximum size of buffer zones in the arable sector. 75 Bioavailability of triazophos for treated apples In 1998, PSD/MAFF initiated a research project to investigate the bioavailability of the organophosphorus compound triazophos. The primary aim was to compare the results in animals administered triazophos in corn oil with those receiving a similar dose from pureed apples treated in line with agricultural practice. The corn oil exposure was typical of that used in toxicity studies used to derive acute reference doses, with the apple exposure representing human exposures. If there were differences between the results for the vehicles there might be a need to introduce an appropriate correction into risk assessments. The peak levels and ‘area under the curve’ (AUC) values for total plasma radioactivity were broadly similar, whether the triazophos was present as an incurred residue in orally dosed apple puree, or present in orally dosed corn oil. The <strong>Committee</strong> noted that the results of the research showed similar absorption patterns and plasma profiles for both preparations. The <strong>Committee</strong>
<strong>Advisory</strong> <strong>Committee</strong> on Pesticides Annual Report 2001 agreed that the current default assumption that corn oil administration was an acceptable model for dietary exposure was supported. It was suggested that, if applicants wished to make a case for reduced bioavailability in respect of specific crops and pesticides, the onus should be on them to submit data to support such a case. The <strong>Committee</strong> recommended that the research be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. 76 Comparative risk assessment The ACP was asked by Ministers to consider the value of comparative assessment and substitution in the regulation of pesticides. At the July meeting it was agreed that PSD should issue a consultation letter seeking views from approval holders, users, consumers and environmental interests. Following this, the ACP began to develop possible schemes for comparative assessment, taking account of the responses to the consultation. During 2002, the <strong>Committee</strong> will continue to consider these options, together with related issues of relevance to the re-negotiation of the Pesticide Authorisation Directive (91/414/EEC). Degradation of chlorothalonil residues prior to analysis – follow-up report During Pesticide Residues <strong>Committee</strong> (PRC) routine monitoring in 1994, it was noted that fortified residues of chlorothalonil were being ‘lost’. A study was initiated to examine the extent and possible mode of the degradation in five crops: lettuce, onion, celery, broccoli and lemon. The study was considered at the November 1994 ACP meeting. The results showed that significant losses were occurring as a result of comminution and freezer storage and/or storage of extracts at room temperature prior to analysis. These losses were greatest in lettuce, celery and onions and less in broccoli and lemons. If lettuce was ‘killed’ by microwaving prior to storage and analysis, losses were greatly reduced, indicating that the problem was likely to be enzymatic degradation. The ACP had recommended that a further study be conducted on the fate of chlorothalonil residues during processing and analysis of lettuce and onions. The follow-up study was considered at the June 1997 ACP meeting. The results showed that losses of chlorothalonil and also dichlofluanid could be minimised by cryogenic milling of lettuce samples and extracting the subsamples partially frozen. In the case of onions, the use of cryogenic milling
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Advisory Committee on Pesticides Annual Report 2001

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