Report from the Sub-comittee on the environment and health

1 INTRODUCTION 7
2 THE SUB-COMMITTEE’S MANDATE AND
COMPOSITION 9
2.1 The sub-committee’s mandate and scenarios for phasing out pesticides
9
2.2 Composition of <strong>the</strong> sub-committee 9
3 DEFINITION OF THE WORK 11
4 OCCURRENCE OF PESTICIDES IN THE ENVIRONMENT
14
4.1 Pesticides in groundwater 15
4.1.2 Conclusions 25
4.2 Occurrence of pesticides in watercourses 26
4.2.1 Conclusions 33
4.3 Pesticides in lakes and ponds 34
4.3.1 Conclusions 35
4.4 Pesticides in drain and soil water 35
4.4.1 Conclusions 38
4.5 Pesticides in rainwater 39
4.5.1 Conclusions 41
4.6 Exposure pathways 42
4.6.1 Surface run-off 42
4.6.2 Conclusions 44
4.6.3 Spray drift 44
4.6.4 Conclusions 45
4.6.5 Volatilisation 46
4.6.6 Conclusions 48
4.6.7 Degradation and leaching of pesticides 49
4.6.8 Conclusions 53
4.6.9 Pollution <strong>from</strong> filling and washing sites 53
4.6.10 Conclusions 56
4.7 The sub-committee’s conclusions and recommendations 56
5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 60
5.1 Impact of pesticides on <strong>the</strong> fauna in cultivated and uncultivated
terrestrial ecosystems 61
5.1.1 Conclusions 71
5.2 Effect on <strong>the</strong> flora in cultivated and uncultivated terrestrial ecosystems
73
5.2.1 Conclusions 78
5.3 Impacts on flora and fauna in watercourses, lakes and coastal waters
79
5.3.1 Conclusions 84
3