Impact of - IDL-BNC @ IDRC - International Development Research ...

u Acute toxicity studies;
Mutagenicity studies; and
Environmental studies.
After the 1986 meeting and removal of all outstanding patent rights, IDRC
agreed to fund the standard preparation and basic toxicology tests essential
for providing internationally acceptable data describing the human acute
toxicity and ecological toxicity potentials of endod. Tests for product chemistry,
acute toxicity, and environmental fate of premarket chemicals followed
tier I criteria for registration of pesticides. Tests for acute toxicology effects
included:
Approximate lethal dose;
Primary dermal and eye irritation;
Dermal sensitization;
Inhalation; and
28-day repeat oral.
To determine the ecotoxicologic effects on common aquatic nontarget organisms,
tests were carried out to determine:
Algal growth inhibition;
Fish acute toxicity; and
Daphnia species 14-day reproduction.
Mutagenicity was determined using the Ames and sister chromatid exchange
tests.
The cost to complete this preliminary phase was about 150 000 USD. If any
test for acute toxicity indicates a potential hazard, carrying out tests for chronic
toxicity should be considered. Such tests are included under tier 2 and are
considerably more expensive. We believe that if a botanical compound proves
hazardous under tier 1 criteria, the chances of it being acceptable are limited;
costs would inhibit further tests, and research on the product would be
discontinued.
Development strategy
The criteria for development of botanical pesticides are extremely complex.
They involve the collaboration of a number of disciplines and functions
including: plant taxonomy, agroccology, organic chemistry, entomology toxicology,
regulatory agencies, processing, and marketing. All these activities
involve time and money. Producing a synthetic pesticide may cost more than
20 million USD before it can be marketed.
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