From benbrook@hillnet.com Fri Jan 30 20:54:57 1998 Date: Fri, 30 Jan 1998 11:19:57 -0800 From: Chuck Benbrook To: sanet-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: OP Pesticide Risks: Key New Report The Environmental Working Group released an important scientific report Thursday in Washington. Entitled "Overexposed:Organophosphate Insecticides in Children's Food," the report presents the most sophisticated cumulative exposure and organophosphate insecticide risk assessment ever carried out by anyone. It is accessible in PDF format from , and will receive extensive attention in the risk assessment community, in the food and pesticide industries, within EPA, and probably in the media. EWG is already scheduled to present the findings and a detailed briefing on the methodology -- which EPA is likely to embrace -- before a special scientific advisory body convened by EPA later this month. "Overexposed" draws on over 80,000 samples of residues done by USDA, FDA and private testers, and employs the recommended cumulative exposure, Monte Carlo techniques outlined in the 1993 NAS report on pesticides and kids. The EPA is likely to build upon the EWG methodology in completing its own cumulative OP/carbamate exposure and risks assessments required to implement the new Food Quality Protection Act standard . The EWG methodology is based on the most realistic assumptions possible re actual exposure levels, and advances by a major step the accuracy and data-richness of real-world exposure and risk assessments. The findings are sobbering, and show clearly why the new safety standard in the Food Quality Protection Act was needed, and why it will make an enormous difference if EPA moves forward with implementation as called for in the new law. Those commited under all circumstances to defend pesticides in the face of any evidence, will no doubt invoke the "sound science" mantra, coupled with the "sky will fall" refrain. But anyone reading the report and paying attention to its methodological sophistication will see clearly where sound science starts and stops in the assessment of OP risk to infants and children. My colleagues at Consumers Union and I will have more to say in the next few months on the many safer, proven biointensive IPM options to deal with the insects now leading to heavy and high-risk use of OP and carbamate insecticides. Because of public interest in where the high risk OPs and carbamates are used on the crops contributing most heavily to risks to children, we drew upon 1995 USDA/National Ag Statistics Survey data on fruit crops to produce a series of tables on pears, peaches, apples and grapes. The tables show national totals and state by state use of pesticides, with OP and carb insecticides broken out. Those interested in better understanding the likely pesticide-based alternatives at the state level should review the tables on the PMAC web site; go to "What's Hot" and follow the links. In the coming months, we will be posting many more such tables covering additional crops. Reporters -- if you are interested in use data on a specific crop/state, e-mail Chuck Benbrook or call 208-263-5236. Also, we have available in electronic format, slides and hard copies several high quality photos, graphics on the FQPA, pesticide use and risks, which we will provide on an "as requested" basis. Last, I have posted a narrative version of the talk I am giving Saturday morning at the University of Guelph on the potential role/impacts of genetic engineering on organic and conventional food production and processing. Access the text (about 20 pages), via "What's Hot" at . Again, for reporters doing stories, we have developed an 80 slide presentation for this talk, and have extensive other graphics and photos relevant to organic farming systems and related issues. If you need access to high quality photos and graphics, e-mail or call and let us know your needs. To Unsubscribe: Email majordomo@ces.ncsu.edu with "unsubscribe sanet-mg". To Subscribe to Digest: Email majordomo@ces.ncsu.edu with the command "subscribe sanet-mg-digest".