Report from the Sub-comittee on the environment and health

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Conclusions concerning impacts in forests The sub-committee’s recommendations concerning <strong>the</strong> impacts of pesticides in <strong>the</strong> environment <strong>the</strong> basis of information <strong>from</strong> county authorities it is provisionally estimated that around 2% of <strong>the</strong> unfulfilled targets on approx. 11,000 km of watercourses are due to toxic substances, including pesticides. The available concentration levels indicate, in particular, that it is insecticides and, among <strong>the</strong>se, particularly <strong>the</strong> pyrethroids, that have an adverse impact. Because of <strong>the</strong>ir persistence, <strong>the</strong> pyrethroids could occur in <strong>the</strong> freshwater ecosystems for a long period of time. Cases of effects of herbicides on algae and o<strong>the</strong>r primary producers have also been documented. However, several measurements indicate that pyrethroids and some thiophosphate insecticides are found in concentrations close to <strong>the</strong> level that causes effects according to <strong>the</strong> literature. For some pesticides this level is lower than <strong>the</strong> limit value for drinking water of 0.1 microgramme per litre. Quantitatively, little use is made of pesticides in forestry, but in Christmas tree and ornamental greenery cultures, consumption is <strong>the</strong> same as in farming. The treatment frequency index in nurseries and market gardens is also high. There is a lack of specific studies of <strong>the</strong> effect of herbicides on forest-floor flora, but <strong>the</strong>re is no doubt that even <strong>the</strong> present limited use of pesticides in forestry has a serious, adverse effect on <strong>the</strong> real forest-floor flora. Many species of such flora have a very slow rate of remigration – less than 1 metre per year –, which makes <strong>the</strong>m very sensitive to herbicides, even when <strong>the</strong>se are only used in connection with felling and afforestation. If herbicides were no longer used in forests it would in time be possible to recreate a forest-floor flora that was naturally adapted to <strong>the</strong> local soil and climatic conditions. However, mechanical control of undesirable vegetation in <strong>the</strong> form of deep ploughing over large areas could have <strong>the</strong> same direct effects on <strong>the</strong> flora as herbicides and thus also <strong>the</strong> same indirect effects on <strong>the</strong> associated fauna. Besides <strong>the</strong>se, <strong>the</strong>re would be adverse effects on soil fauna, fungal flora, <strong>the</strong> soil profile and historical monuments. Where natural rejuvenation is not used, it is important for <strong>the</strong> forest-floor flora that areas are left untreated and that rejuvenation is in <strong>the</strong> form of shelterwood regeneration with preservation of <strong>the</strong> choice of tree species. The use of herbicides in Christmas tree and ornamental greenery cultures in <strong>the</strong> +scenario and <strong>the</strong> ++scenario would result in continued low biodiversity of <strong>the</strong> flora in <strong>the</strong> areas in question unless alternative, environment-friendly methods were found. For <strong>the</strong> scenarios in which pesticides are used <strong>the</strong>re is a lack of systematic studies of how pesticides in large, continuous areas affect wild flora and <strong>the</strong> associated fauna in hedgerows, ditches and o<strong>the</strong>r small biotopes and in neighbouring nature areas. The effect on <strong>the</strong> flora in Denmark as a consequence of <strong>the</strong> precipitation’s content of herbicides transported over long distances is not known. Foreign studies show that effects are likely, but studies of both <strong>the</strong> effects and <strong>the</strong> atmospheric transport are needed to determine <strong>the</strong>m. There is also a need to assess <strong>the</strong> effect of pesticides on aquatic organisms in relation to <strong>the</strong> actual finds in watercourses and surface water. The data and time series needed could be procured by means of a targeted monitoring programme for <strong>the</strong> affected biotopes, combined with experimental studies of <strong>the</strong> relationship between concentrations of pesticides and <strong>the</strong> level at which effects can be detected. 219
Conclusions concerning exposure to pesticides in <strong>the</strong> working environment Conclusions concerning accidents in connection with alternative methods The sub-committee’s recommendations concerning health and safety 220 In <strong>the</strong> case of <strong>the</strong> use of pesticides in forestry, for <strong>the</strong> fauna it is <strong>the</strong> indirect effects that are most damaging. The long-term effects on both flora and fauna cannot be assessed owing to a lack of tools and knowledge. For <strong>the</strong> intermediate scenarios in which pesticides are used, <strong>the</strong> subcommittee recommends more consistent and systematic use of permanent spray-free zones and protection borders to help protect watercourses, lakes and ponds and preserve <strong>the</strong> vegetation in small biotopes and nature areas, where <strong>the</strong>se still exist. In this connection it must be ensured that continuous dispersal corridors are established. Where <strong>the</strong> vegetation of small terrestrial biotopes has been seriously affected by both herbicides and fertilisers in <strong>the</strong> last few decades, recolonisation will normally be very slow. Here, it will be necessary to establish permanent spray-free and fertiliser-free edge zones where it is found desirable to get <strong>the</strong> vegetation and associated fauna re-established. In addition, <strong>the</strong> subcommittee recommends actual nature rehabilitation, including recreation of a more diverse flora and fauna (e.g. introduction of amphibians and invertebrates with a low capacity for recolonisation). The sub-committee also thinks that consideration should be given to increasing <strong>the</strong> distance requirements to watercourses and lakes. 11.4 The sub-committee’s conclusions and recommendations concerning health and safety The risk of acute effects <strong>from</strong> pesticides is deemed to be considerably lower today than it was just 10 years ago because <strong>the</strong> most harmful products may no longer be used. Some risk cannot be excluded for persons who do not observe <strong>the</strong> rules on personal protection and correct use of pesticides and persons who use inappropriate work routines and do not practise good work hygiene. The sub-committee notes, however, that <strong>the</strong>re can be considerable exposure of sprayer operators and workers in greenhouses and in <strong>the</strong> production of fruit and vegetables, where frequent use is made of pesticides. The sub-committee concludes that <strong>the</strong> risk of occupational injuries may rise in connection with mechanical weed control through <strong>the</strong> introduction of more machines and thus more repair work and maintenance. In addition, increased manual weeding could result in a higher frequency of injuries in connection with monotonous, repetitive work (MRW). There is a generally higher risk of physical damage, particularly in <strong>the</strong> form of rheumatism, in agricultural workers. This risk is associated with stable work, milking, tractor operation and heavy physical work and is thus not related to <strong>the</strong> use of pesticides. Nei<strong>the</strong>r conventional nor organic farmers are accustomed to thinking very much about health and safety, and injuries are not always reported despite <strong>the</strong> fact that <strong>the</strong> agricultural sector has many serious accidents and more fatal accidents than all o<strong>the</strong>r sectors of industry. The subcommittee recommends that higher priority be given to health and safety in <strong>the</strong> agricultural sector, in connection with both conventional and pesticide-free operation.
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The Bichel Committee 1999 R
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1 INTRODUCTION 7 2 THE SUB-COMMITTE
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9 ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH ASSESSME
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1 Introduction On 15 May 1997 <stro
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The President Members 10 Henrik San
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Consultants’ reports 12 The sub-c
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14 4 Occurrence of pesticides in <s
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The Nationwide Monitoring Programme
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Counties analyse samples fr
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20 system. However, the</st
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Substance Permitte
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26 The distribution of finds of pes
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28 concentrations of up to 11 micro
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Table 4.10 Occurrence of pesticides
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32 It will be seen from</st
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34 • The frequency of detection i
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36 Soil water samples containing pe
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38 Bromoxynil 3 n.d. 0.04 54 DNOC 4
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40 concentrations found so far are
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42 mononitrophenols and oth
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44 The main measure used to try to
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Models for volatilisation 46 • It
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Calculation of the
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Processes that remove pesticides <s
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52 atrazine and the</strong
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Potential sources of pesticides in
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56 Example 1: IPU dosage 1000 g act
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58 completely against future pollut
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Exposure of field fauna through tre
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Leaf beetles Direct effects of spra
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Indirect effects on mammals and bir
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Birds are particularly interesting
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Importance of headland vegetation t
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Effects of pesticides in forestry A
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Repeated spraying changes t
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Effect on seed production The wild
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Impact on the flor
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• The sub-committee recommends mo
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Effects on primary producers The ef
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Effects on amphibians Unlawful use
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concentrations than the</st
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The sub-committee recommends more c
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General ergonomic problems Particul
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Tractor accidents Accidents resulti
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The sprayer operator’s exposure t
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Pesticides and cancer 96 th
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Studies of frequency of cancer Repr
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Neurotoxicity Immunotoxicity and se
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Population studies 102 • Long-ter
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Other risk groups
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106 tomat salat kinakål kartofler
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Calculation of pesticide intake <st
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The Danes’ dietary pattern Reduct
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Estimated intake from</stro
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Table 6.4 Estimated pesticide intak
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Variation in daily intake of pestic
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Endosulfan = Endosulfan Methidathio
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Limit values Authorisation of pesti
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Analytical studies: case control st
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Cancer Mechanism behind the
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Neurotoxicity Neurotoxicity in chil
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128 6.2.7 Conclusions There is insu
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130 • It cannot be proven on <str
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132 Danish products. There are big
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134
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Definition of proportionality Heavy
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Tropospheric ozone Veterinary drugs
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140 effect that can be expected per
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Synthetic pesticid
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144 formulations. Therefore, <stron
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International cooperation 146 be il
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Fuzzy Expert model Expert assessmen
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Setting up a gross list with a view
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Better monitoring of the</s
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154 help in the as
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Impact index for the</stron
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Knowledge-building in the</
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160 In relation to the</str
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Uncertainties and variations 162 A
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164 which is fixed at 0.1 microgram
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166 If the risk as
Page 169 and 170: Prevention of disease in cereal cro
Page 171 and 172: Prevention of pest attack in agricu
Page 173 and 174: 172 plants whose ability to establi
Page 175 and 176: Biobeds Municipal environmental sup
Page 177 and 178: Malt barley and gushing Direct effe
Page 179 and 180: Effect of soil treatment on wild pl
Page 181 and 182: Emissions of greenhouse gases 180 p
Page 183 and 184: Conclusions concerning environmenta
Page 185 and 186: Conclusions concerning leaching of
Page 187 and 188: 0+-scenario: almost total phase-out
Page 189 and 190: Scenarios for forests Weath
Page 191 and 192: Soil Residues in the</stron
Page 193 and 194: Impact on the fiel
Page 195 and 196: Earthworms 194 has been carried out
Page 197 and 198: Assumptions and uncertainties Resul
Page 199 and 200: Comparison of weed control with and
Page 201 and 202: Results of calculations with <stron
Page 203 and 204: 202 Scenarier Ingen behandling Plus
Page 205 and 206: Impacts on the flo
Page 207 and 208: Results of the mod
Page 209 and 210: Mechanical weed control 208 Behandl
Page 211 and 212: The Dane's dietary pattern and dail
Page 213 and 214: 212 11 The sub-committee’s summar
Page 215 and 216: Conclusion concerning lack of time
Page 217 and 218: Conclusion concerning impacts on fl
Page 219: Conclusions concerning model analys
Page 223 and 224: Conclusion concerning mycotoxins Th
Page 225 and 226: Ranking with respect to groundwater
Page 227 and 228: Conclusion concerning emissions of
Page 229 and 230: Conclusions concerning natural subs
Page 231 and 232: 230 12 References Abell, A., Bonde,
Page 233 and 234: 232 Colborn, T., vom Saal., F.S., S
Page 235 and 236: 234 Eyer, P. (1995). Neuropsychopat
Page 237 and 238: 236 Graae, B.J. (1999). Florest flo
Page 239 and 240: 238 Protection Conference: Pesticid
Page 241 and 242: 240 Lindhardt, B., Sørensen, P.B.,
Page 243 and 244: 242 consumption of fossil energy wi
Page 245 and 246: 244 intoxication. The Pesticide Hea
Page 247 and 248: 246 Underudvalget for Miljø og Sun
Page 249 and 250: 248 Annex 1 Data required for autho
Page 251 and 252: 250 11) Metabolism in animals The s
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Report from the Sub-comittee on the environment and health

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