Report from the Sub-comittee on the environment and health

Conclusion concerning
mycotoxins
The sub-committee’s
recommendations in <strong>the</strong>
health area
222
Epidemiological studies on effects of metabolites and non-active
ingredients, which often constitute a substantial part of <strong>the</strong> products, are
largely non-existent.
In <strong>the</strong> case of degradation products of pesticides in <strong>the</strong> environment, little
is known in some cases about <strong>the</strong>ir effects on health. This applies
particularly where different metabolites are formed in <strong>the</strong> environment
than in test animals and humans.
More extensive use of biomarkers for exposure to and effect of pesticides
would make it easier to demonstrate epidemiologically a correlation
between exposure and any effects.
Mycotoxins are a general problem in both conventional and organic
farming because <strong>the</strong>y can develop in moist conditions. They can also
develop if grain dries too slowly. The sub-committee finds that
mycotoxins in grain attacked by fungi are a greater risk to public health
than pesticide residues in cereals and <strong>the</strong>refore recommends better
control of <strong>the</strong> water content of grain, improved drying procedures and
similar control measures at source. The sub-committee also recommends
tightening control of <strong>the</strong> content of mycotoxins in food products.
• The residual content of pesticides in crops usually comes <strong>from</strong>
treatment carried out at times when plants are exposed in <strong>the</strong>ir seeding
or berry- or fruit-bearing stages. The sub-committee recommends that
spraying be limited to before <strong>the</strong> end of flowering, earing or similar.
To support <strong>the</strong> assessment of <strong>the</strong> residual concentrations, <strong>the</strong> subcommittee
recommends that residual concentration analyses be
carried out under Danish climatic and cultivation conditions in
connection with <strong>the</strong> assessment of pesticides.
• There is a need to include new effects that have not previously been
studied or considered important – for example, effects on <strong>the</strong>
endocrinal system (hormones) and on developing nervous systems.
The sub-committee recommends continued research in this area
because <strong>the</strong> problems must at <strong>the</strong> same time be accepted as a matter
that calls for use of <strong>the</strong> precautionary principle in future assessments
and authorisation schemes for both new and existing pesticides.
• The sub-committee recommends that greater weight be attached in <strong>the</strong>
overall assessment of <strong>the</strong> individual pesticide products to <strong>the</strong>
coformulants, which are often used in considerable quantities, and
that <strong>the</strong> appropriateness of using <strong>the</strong> individual substances be
regularly assessed.
• The sub-committee recommends that greater attention be paid in <strong>the</strong>
health assessment of pesticides, particularly for risk groups, to <strong>the</strong> fact
that many different chemical substances are taken in at <strong>the</strong> same time.