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Pesticide Risk Indicators: Unidentified Inert Ingredients Compromise Their Integrity and Utility

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Surgan

    (NYS Attorney General’s Environmental Protection Bureau)

  • Madison Condon

    (NYS Attorney General’s Environmental Protection Bureau)

  • Caroline Cox

    (Center for Environmental Health)

Abstract

Pesticide Risk Indicators (PRIs) are widely used to evaluate and compare the potential health and environmental risks of pesticide use and to guide pest control policies and practices. They are applied to agricultural, landscape and structural pest management by governmental agencies, private institutions and individuals. PRIs typically assess only the potential risks associated with the active ingredients because, with few exceptions, pesticide manufacturers disclose only the identity of the active ingredients which generally comprise only a minor portion of pesticide products. We show that when inert ingredients are identified and assessed by the same process as the active ingredient, the product specific risk can be much greater than that calculated for the active ingredient alone. To maintain transparency in risk assessment, all those who develop and apply PRIs or make decisions based on their output, should clearly disclose and discuss the limitations of the method.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Surgan & Madison Condon & Caroline Cox, 2010. "Pesticide Risk Indicators: Unidentified Inert Ingredients Compromise Their Integrity and Utility," Environmental Management, Springer, vol. 45(4), pages 834-841, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:envman:v:45:y:2010:i:4:d:10.1007_s00267-009-9382-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s00267-009-9382-9
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