Report from the Sub-comittee on the environment and health

The sub-committee’s
recommendations
concerning coformulants
parts containing pesticide residues. Syn<strong>the</strong>tic pesticides usually contain
chemical structures that are seldom found in nature. The physical and
chemical properties of <strong>the</strong> molecule, and thus its toxicity, are <strong>the</strong>reby
changed. This effect depends particularly on changes in <strong>the</strong> direction of
lower degradability, greater persistence, changed solubility and increased
penetration in membranes.
The following specific conclusions can be drawn:
• The heavy metals cadmium, lead and mercury present a greater health
problem than pesticides, but are not a serious problem
environmentally. However, attention must be paid to a potential
accumulation in cultivated soil of, in particular, cadmium, lead and
copper.
• Compared with <strong>the</strong> effect of pesticides, <strong>the</strong> direct effect of xenobiotic
substances on cultivated soil and thus on crops is small. However,
relatively little is known about potential, indirect pollution by
xenobiotic substances, for example via air or through accidental loss,
spillage or discharge to water. There may <strong>the</strong>refore be grounds for
concern since <strong>the</strong> long-term effects of even small concentrations are
not known. With <strong>the</strong> environment policy now pursued, efforts are
being made, both nationally and internationally, to ensure a reduction
at source, but owing to <strong>the</strong> continuing supply of such substances, <strong>the</strong>
load must be monitored on a long-term basis.
• Organic pollutants are not generally a problem in cultivated soil. With
frequent application of sludge on <strong>the</strong> same area, <strong>the</strong> total quantity of
xenobiotic substances can be of <strong>the</strong> same order of magnitude as <strong>the</strong>
pesticide load.
• The use of veterinary drugs and growth promoters involves a risk of
<strong>the</strong> development of resistant microorganisms, and too little is as yet
known about <strong>the</strong> possible effect of manure on cultivated land to assess
veterinary drugs and growth promoters in relation to pesticides.
• A number of naturally occurring substances are to a limited extent
used as pesticides. The substances in question are relatively easily
degradable, so <strong>the</strong>ir action time is short, but <strong>the</strong> sub-committee finds
that <strong>the</strong>re is in principle no difference between <strong>the</strong>se substances and
syn<strong>the</strong>tic pesticides. The sub-committee concludes that, compared
with natural substances, pesticides have a considerably greater
potential for environmentally harmful effects because of <strong>the</strong> way <strong>the</strong>y
are used, <strong>the</strong>ir relatively low degradability and <strong>the</strong>ir chemically
determined, intensified mode of action. With respect to human health,
<strong>the</strong> sub-committee finds that some naturally occurring constituents of
plants can present a risk and that, for example in connection with
“Novel Food” products, <strong>the</strong>y should be subjected to a risk analysis in
line with pesticides.
• The sub-committee recommends that <strong>the</strong> authorisation scheme be
expanded so that <strong>the</strong> requirements concerning coformulants approach
<strong>the</strong> requirements made concerning active ingredients. In this
connection, all carcinogenic substances should be banned. However,
coformulants are also used for o<strong>the</strong>r purposes than pesticide
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