Pesticide levels and environmental risk in aquatic environments in China — A review

China is one of the largest producers and consumers of pesticides in the world today. Along with the widespread use of pesticides and industrialization, there is a growing concern for water quality. The present review aims to provide an overview of studies on pesticides in aquatic environments in China. The levels in the water, sediment and biota were scored according to a detailed environmental classification system based on ecotoxicological effect, which is therefore a useful tool for assessing the risk these compounds pose to the aquatic ecosystem. Our review reveals that the most studied areas in China are the most populated and the most developed economically and that the most frequently studied pesticides are DDT and HCH. We show maps of where studies have been conducted and show the ecotoxicological risk the pesticides pose in each of the matrices. Our review pinpoints the need for biota samples to assess the risk. A large fraction of the results from the studies are given an environmental classification of “very bad” based on levels in biota. In general, the risk is higher for DDT than HCH. A few food web studies have also been conducted, and we encourage further study of this important information from this region.The review reveals that many of the most important agricultural provinces (e.g., Henan, Hubei and Hunan) with the largest pesticide use have been the subject of few studies on the environmental levels of pesticides. We consider this to be a major knowledge gap for understanding the status of pesticide contamination and related risk in China. Furthermore, there is also a lack of studies in remote Chinese environments, which is also an important knowledge gap. The compounds analyzed and reported in the studies represent a serious bias because a great deal of attention is given to DDT and HCH, whereas the organophosphate insecticides dominating current use are less frequently investigated. For the future, we point to the need for an organized monitoring plan designed according to the knowledge gaps in terms of geographical distribution, compounds included, and risks.     

PestScreen: a screening approach for scoring and ranking pesticides by their environmental and toxicological concern

A chemical ranking and scoring method entitled PestScreen has been developed as a screening tool to provide a relative assessment of pesticide hazards to human health and the environment. The method was developed to serve as an analytical tool in screening and identification of pesticides of environmental concern used in agriculture. PestScreen incorporates both the toxic effects of pesticides and their fate and exposure characteristics in different compartments of the environment. This is done by combining measures of chemical toxicity pertaining to both human health and the environment with chemical release amounts and information on overall environmental persistence, long-range transport potential and human population intake fractions. Each hazard measure is scored and weighted and finally combined with the pesticide application dose to provide a single final indicator of relative concern (PestScore). Results for 217 pesticides are presented and the practical implementation is illustrated on behalf of three practical case studies.     

Endocrine disrupting pesticides: implications for risk assessment

Endocrine disrupting (ED) chemicals are compounds that alter the normal functioning of the endocrine system, potentially causing disease or deformity in organisms and their offspring. Pesticides are used widely to kill unwanted organisms in crops, public areas, homes and gardens and medicinally to kill parasites. Many are proven or suspected to be EDs. Ancient physiological similarities between different vertebrate groups suggest that disorders observed in wildlife may indicate risks to humans. This makes accurate risk assessment and effective legislation difficult. In this paper, the hazardous properties of pesticides which are known to have ED properties are reviewed in order to assess the implications for risk assessment. As well as data on sources of exposure in the United Kingdom (UK) an assessment of the evidence on the health effects of ED pesticides is also included. In total, 127 have been identified from the literature and their effects and modes of action are listed in this paper. Using the UK as a case study, the types and quantities of pesticides used, and their methods of application are assessed, along with their potential pathways to humans. In the UK reliable data are available only for agricultural use, so non-agricultural routes of pesticide exposure have been poorly quantified. The exposure of people resident in or visiting rural areas could also have been grossly under-estimated. Material links between ED pesticide use and specific illnesses or deformities are complicated by the multifactorial nature of disease, which can be affected by factors such as diet. Despite these difficulties, a large body of evidence has accumulated linking specific conditions to ED pesticides in wildlife and humans. A more precautionary approach to the use of ED pesticides, especially for non-essential purposes is proposed.     

太湖流域沉积物中有机氯农药空间分布特征及风险评价

为了解太湖流域表层沉积物中有机氯农药的空间分布和污染特征,采集全流域111个表层沉积物样品,用GC-μECD分析了20种有机氯农药的含量,并基于沉积物质量基准法对沉积物污染风险进行评价。结果表明:太湖流域沉积物中20种有机氯农药(OCPs)的总含量介于16. 3～96. 9 ng/g dw之间,平均值为35. 0ng/g dw,其中HCHs和DDTs是主要的检出成分,平均含量分别为12. 1、7. 6 ng/g dw,两者含量之和占总OCPs的25. 5%～85. 5%。特征化合物指数法分析结果表明,HCHs主要来源于林丹,而且该区域仍然有新的DDT输入,并且大部分p,p’-DDT通过好氧生物降解为p,p’-DDE。沉积物质量基准法评价结果显示,γ-HCH、DDTs潜在生物毒性较大。     

Pesticides exposure in Pakistan: a review

This is the first systematic review of studies done since 1960, and to give an integrated picture of pesticides exposure to humans, animals, plants, waters, soils/sediments, atmosphere etc. in Pakistan. Authors have extracted data from different departments, published literature in research journals and National reports. Although the wide-spread usage of pesticides in Pakistan has controlled the pests, but like other countries, it has started causing environmental problems in the area. In some areas of Punjab and Sindh groundwater has been found contaminated and is constantly being under the process of contamination due to pesticide use. There is considerable evidence that farmers have overused and misused pesticides especially in cotton-growing areas. It is evident from the biological monitoring studies that farmers are at higher risk for acute and chronic health effects associated with pesticides due to occupational exposure. Furthermore, the intensive use of pesticides (higher sprays more than the recommended dose) in cotton areas involves a special risk for the field workers, pickers, and of an unacceptable residue concentration in cottonseed oil and cakes. The authors have also discussed the merits and demerits of different studies. The review will set the future course of action of different studies on pesticide exposure in Pakistan. Data limitations are still the major obstacle towards establishing clear environmental trends in Pakistan. The authors suggest that a reliable monitoring, assessment and reporting procedures shall be implemented in accordance with appropriate environmental policies, laws and regulations in order to minimize the pesticides exposure.     

长三角高新技术产业开发区发展评价研究

为了促进长三角高新区的健康发展和对该地高新区现状的合理评价,通过借鉴国内外对高新区发展的评价,针对长三角地区的高新区发展状况建立了一个评价指标体系。首先利用AHP方法确定各指标的权重,再利用熵值法计算出长三角高新区的发展水平,然后进行相关分析,发现该区域内高新区发展水平差距极大,规模经济和结构经济指标差别较为突出;其中上海张江高新区整体水平最高,苏州次之,其他地区高新区发展水平相对较低,研究发现各地的工业基础、科研能力、风险资本、政策法规等产业要素不同是造成高新区发展水平差异巨大的主要原因,最后给出相对应的建议。     

Pesticide use practices among smallholder vegetable farmers in Ethiopian Central Rift Valley

Pesticide use is a common practice to control pests and diseases in vegetable cultivation, but often at the expense of the environment and human health. This article studies pesticide-buying and use practices among smallholder vegetable farmers in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia, using a practice perspective. Through in-depth interviews and observations, data were collected from a sample of farmers, suppliers and key governmental actors. The results reveal that farmers apply pesticides in violation of the recommendations: they use unsafe storage facilities, ignore risks and safety instructions, do not use protective devices when applying pesticides, and dispose containers unsafely. By applying a social practice approach, we show that these pesticide-handling practices are steered by the combination of the system of provision, the farmers’ lifestyle and the everyday context in which pesticides are being bought and used. Bringing in new actors such as environmental authorities, suppliers, NGOs and private actors, as well as social and technological innovations, may contribute to changes in the actual performance of these pesticides buying and using practices. This article argues that a practice approach represents a promising perspective to analyse pesticide handling and use and to systematically identify ways to change these.     

An assessment of the impacts of pesticide use on the environment and health of rice farmers in Sierra Leone

One of the biggest challenges faced by Sierra Leonean farmers is pest control. Birds, rodents, insects, crustaceans and other organisms can drastically reduce yields. In order to prevent these organisms from destroying their crop, farmers use pesticides. However there are reports that these chemicals are being misused and such misuse is having a negative impact on the environment and the health of the farmers.This research study aimed to investigate the use of pesticides in rice fields and its potential effects on the environment and on the farmers of Sierra Leone. Five hundred farmers and one hundred health workers across the country were interviewed. Fifty focus group discussions were also completed. Field observations were also undertaken to see how farmers apply pesticides to their farms and the possible threats these methods have on human health and the environment. It is clear that a wide range of pesticides are used by rice farmers in Sierra Leone with 60% of the pesticides used entering the country illegally. Most farmers have no knowledge about the safe handling of pesticides as 71% of them have never received any form of training. The pesticides kill both target and non-target organisms some of which enter the food chain.Cases of health problems such as nausea, respiratory disorders and blurred vision investigated in this research are significantly higher among farmers who use pesticides than those who do not use pesticides. Cases of pesticide intoxication are not investigated by health workers but results obtained from interviews with them also indicated that cases of pesticides related symptoms are significantly higher in environments where pesticides are used than those in which pesticides are not used.     

Contamination of fish by organochlorine pesticide residues in the Ouémé River catchment in the Republic of Bénin

In the Republic of Bénin, aquatic ecosystems are subject to poisoning risks due to the inappropriate use of pesticides, such as washing of empty bottles in rivers and using pesticides to catch fish. In some areas, cotton fields are located near riverbanks, increasing the probability of pesticide emission to the river. To assess contamination levels in the Ouémé River catchment area, different fish species were collected from different geographical areas along the river. DDT, its metabolites and isomers were the most frequently identified pesticides in fish flesh, alpha-endosulfan, beta-endosulfan, dieldrin, telodrin, lindane and octachlorostyrene were also detected. Concentrations of pesticide residues in fish ranged from 0 to 1364 ng/g lipid. A preliminary risk assessment indicated that the daily intake of chlorinated pesticides by people consuming fish from the Ouémé River still is rather low and does not present an immediate risk.     

基于集对分析法的农田土壤环境质量评价

集对分析是一种新的不确定性分析方法,其联系度概念具有鲜明的辨证性、完整性,使其成为处理不确定性问题的有效方法。农田土壤环境质量受多种因素影响,具有较强的不确定性,因此拟引入集对分析理论,以江汉平原后湖农场为研究对象,应用单因子指数法和集对分析法对其农田土壤环境质量进行综合评价。结果表明,研究区9种单要素污染程度依次为Cd＞Zn＞As＞Cu＞DDT＞Hg＞Cr＞Pb＞HCH,Cd为主要污染元素,8个地块已受到Cd的轻度污染,土壤中的农药残留主要成分为滴滴涕;集对分析结果显示8745%的农田是安全的,1255%的农田处于轻污染状态。整体而言,江汉平原农田土壤环境质量属清洁和安全范围,符合发展现代农业的要求。集对分析法为农田土壤环境质量评价提供了一种新的思路。     

金沙江下游鱼类栖息地评估和保护优先级研究

为了给受金沙江下游水电开发影响的鱼类筛选合适的支流进行栖息地保护,对金沙江下游12条支流进行了鱼类栖息地评估和保护优先级的研究。通过河段分类-河段样方调查-河流整体评估的路线评估了支流栖息地质量;通过2次流动调查,结合历史资料获取了各支流的特有鱼类种数;最后,结合栖息地评估结果、各支流的特有鱼类种数、年径流量和水电开发强度,运用分层排序法,得出了各支流的保护优先级,由高到低依次为：牛栏江>西溪河>黑水河>普渡河>龙川江>鲹鱼河>西宁河>美姑河>以礼河>普隆河>勐果河>小江。建议将乌东德库区的龙川江和鲹鱼河、白鹤滩库区的黑水河和普渡河、溪洛渡库区的牛栏江和西溪河,以及向家坝库区的西宁河作为金沙江下游鱼类优先保护支流     

Application of an improved method for the analysis of pesticides and their metabolites in the urine of farmer applicators and their families

As the annual use of pesticides in the United States has escalated, public health agencies have become increasingly concerned about chronic pesticide exposure. However, without reliable, accurate analytical methods for biological monitoring, low-level chronic exposures are often difficult to assess. A method for measuring simultaneously the urinary residues of as many as 20 pesticides has been significantly improved. The method uses a sample preparation which includes enzyme digestion, extraction, and chemical derivatization of the analytes. The derivatized analytes are measured by using gas chromatography coupled with isotope-dilution tandem mass spectrometry. The limits of detection of the modified method are in the high pg/L - low μg/L range, and the average coefficient of variation (CV) of the method was below 20% for most analytes, with approximately 100% accuracy in quantification. This method was used to measure the internal doses of pesticides among selected farmer applicators and their families. Definite exposure and elimination patterns (i.e., an increase in urinary analyte levels following application and then a gradual decrease to background levels) were observed among the farmer applicators and many of the family members whose crops were treated with carbaryl, dicamba, and 2,4-D esters and amines. Although the spouses of farm workers sometimes exhibited the same elimination pattern, the levels of the targeted pesticides or metabolites found in their urine were not outside the ranges found in the general U.S. population (reference range). The farmer applicators who applied the pesticides and some of their children appeared to have higher pesticide or metabolite levels in their urine than those found in the general U.S. population, but their levels were generally comparable to or lower than reported levels in other occupationally exposed individuals. These results, however, were obtained from a nonrandom sampling of farm residents specifically targeted to particular exposures who may have altered their practices because they were being observed; therefore, further study is required to determine if these results are representative of pesticide levels among residents on all farms where these pesticides are applied using the same application techniques. Using this method to measure exposure in a small nonrandom farm population allowed differentiation between overt and background exposure. In addition, the important role of reference-range information in distinguishing between various levels of environmental exposure was reaffirmed.     

中国污染场地分类管理程序与方法研究

借鉴发达国家对污染物场地的管理方法,探索了我国污染场地分类管理的程序:从疑似污染场地的申报建档、疑似污染场地的初步调查、场地的危害分级、污染场地的详细调查、污染场地风险评估,到污染场地的治理修复,以及贯穿场地管理始终的环境监测.在上述管理程序中还缺失危害分级的方法,其他步骤已有相关技术文件支持.本文进一步构建了其中场地危害分级的方法:即根据污染源是否存在,污染物的性质、赋存状态、迁移性、含量水平,周围是否有敏感目标及其类型,分成不同的危害级别和管理级别,并实施不同的管理措施.以江苏省八家氯丹、灭蚁灵生产企业场地为例,经初步调查和危害分级,将8个场地分为3类:B类场地(有1个场地)环境介质中无超标污染物检出,但场地上的有害废弃物需要处置;C类场地(包括3个场地)局部有超标污染物检出,但场地不具备详细调查采样和修复的条件,需要对污染区进行隔离处置,以降低人体健康风险;还有D类场地(包括4个场地)需要详细采样以确定污染范围并进行风险评估.根据最后一类4个场地进一步调查评估的结果,并考虑到场地实施修复的经费、技术可行性及场地相关利益方的意见,决定优先对其中1个场地实施修复治理.     

Computing sustainable manufacturing index with fuzzy analytic hierarchy process

The growing industrial interest in adopting sustainability programmes has ushered in studies regarding sustainability indicators which have continually flourished in current literature. However, limited attention is given to the development of priority ranking, which is an important input for any adopting firm. This paper presents a hybrid multi-criteria approach in determining priority areas in sustainable manufacturing (SM). Using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process to address uncertainty in hierarchical decision-making, this paper determines SM priority strategies and eventually identifies even lower level strategies. The computed sustainable manufacturing index is presented at both the organizational and operational levels for a real case study of an industrial plastic manufacturing firm. This work provides a detailed and transparent hierarchical decision-making approach based on SM framework, the use of which could be valuable to practicing managers across industries in their pursuit of greater sustainability.     

An approach to comparative assessments of potential health risks from exposure to radionuclides and hazardous chemicals

The need to compare potential health risks to the public associated with different activities that can result in releases of hazardous substances to the environment is becoming increasingly important in decision-making. In making such comparisons, it is desirable to use equivalent indicators of potential health risks for radionuclides, chemical carcinogens, and noncarcinogenic hazardous chemicals. Current approaches to risk assessment that were developed for purposes of protecting human health do not provide equivalent indicators of potential risks from exposure to radionuclides and hazardous chemicals. Comparisons of environmental concentrations or calculated exposures or risks with standards for protection of public health also do not provide equivalent indicators of potential risks. We propose a simple approach to comparative risk assessments in which calculated exposures to any hazardous substances are expressed relative to no-observed-effect levels (NOELs) or, preferably, lower confidence limits of benchmark doses (BMDLs) in humans. This approach provides an equivalent, science-based indicator of the relative risks posed by different exposures to any hazardous substances.     

A hybrid approach using AHP–TOPSIS–entropy methods for sustainable ranking of structural materials

Nowadays, many countries are looking towards sustainability as a goal because our world has limited resources and serious environmental impacts. In the construction industry, the process of sustainable selection of structural material is considered one of the keys to achieve more sustainable construction. In this paper, the theories of decision making are utilised to develop an approach for evaluation and ranking the structural materials over their total life based on sustainability criteria using multi-attribute decision-making methods. One of them is Analytical Hierarchy Process which is utilised to build the problem hierarchical structure and assign weights of the predetermined sustainable factors. The other is Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution which is utilised to rank the structural materials within both each material life cycle phase and the complete material life cycle phases. The third is the concept of entropy by Shannon to evaluate the weight factor for each phase of material life cycle. The proposed approach presents an objective, systematic and comprehensive method for the sustainable ranking of materials that links between the structural element design and the sustainable selection of materials.     

Pesticide use among smallholder rice farmers in Tanzania

In an interview study conducted among smallholder rice farmers in Rufiji, Tanzania coastal mainland, and in Cheju, Zanzibar, farmer??s pesticide use and risk awareness were assessed. The farmers generally lacked knowledge or possibilities to manage the pesticides as prescribed by the manufacturers. Few farmers knew what kind of pesticides they were using and had never seen the original packages, as pesticides were usually sold per weight or already diluted without labeling. Protective equipment was rarely used since they were not aware of risks associated with pesticides or did not know where to purchase protective gear. Only half of the farmers were aware of pesticides?? health hazards and few associated pesticides with environmental problems. The pesticide use was relatively low, but based on farmers?? pesticide handling and application practices, health risks were a major concern. Most farmers did not believe in successful rice cultivation without using pesticides to control pests. However, estimated yields did not differ between pesticide users or farmers using conventional methods or neem tree extract. To avoid negative effects on human health and the environment, the farmers need basic education and better assistance in their farming practices and pesticide management.     

Health and environmental costs of pesticide use in vegetable farming in Nepal

There is a growing concern of pesticide risks to human health, natural environment and ecosystems. Many previous economic valuations have accounted health aspects or environmental components, but rarely combined; thus, overall risk assessment is partially distorted. The study, conducted close to the capital of Nepal, addressed the health effects of pesticides on small-scale farmers and evaluated the monetary risks of pesticide use on human health and environmental resources. We also aim to establish the relationships among valuation methods. The paper adopts cost of illness, defensive expenditure and contingent valuation willingness to pay approach. The study concluded that the methods used for valuing pesticide risks to human and environmental health are theoretically consistent. The exposed individuals are likely to bear significant economic costs of exposures depending on geographical location, pesticide use magnitudes and frequency. Individuals are willing to pay between 53 and 79% more than the existing pesticide price to protect their health and environment. The integrated pest management training is less likely to reduce health costs of pesticide exposure, although it leads to higher investment in safety measures.     

淮河(江苏段)水体有机污染物风险评价

淮河（江苏段）水体检测到的半挥发性有机物和有机氯农药绝大多数属于USEPA的优先控制污染物。应用USEPA规定的水中优先控制污染物和非优先控制污染物对人体健康的摄入与饮入之和的水体有机物浓度标准,计算了淮河（江苏段）水体的48种有机污染物的环境暴露浓度,并根据最高环境暴露浓度与USEPA水质指标的比值,参考IARC的化合物致癌性指标,建立了一套表征水体有机污染物的风险特征以及采取相应管理措施和建议的评价体系,对这些化合物的环境健康风险进行了评价。结果表明,有18种有机污染物超过了USEPA的标准浓度要求,其中9种物质具有一定的生态风险,其中六氯苯、N-亚硝基二正丙胺、3,3'-二氯联苯胺、2,4,6-三氯酚、五氯酚、茚并(1,2,3-cd)芘、4,4'-滴滴涕、七氯在内的8种化合物具有一定的风险,而多环芳烃二苯并(a,h)蒽需要引起更高警惕;在此基础上探讨了这些化合物的来源及作用,并提出了相应的防治建议。     

Determination of potentially bioaccumulating complex mixtures of organochlorine compounds in wastewater: a review

Organic chlorine compounds can be persistent environmental contaminants and may be accumulated through the food chain to the aquatic organisms, to fish and humans, depending basically on their hydrophobic properties. Consequently, there is an interest to measure these organic compounds from both the scientific and regulatory communities. The analytical essays have been improved for measuring specific organic chlorine compounds that present the most toxicological potential (polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs], certain pesticides and dioxins), although they are tedious and time-consuming procedures. The existing tests to measure adsorbable organic halogens (AOX) or extractable organic halogens (EOX) do not distinguish the more hydrophobic organic chlorine matter. The intention of this paper is to make a review of the existing methods to measure the potentially bioaccumulating organochlorine compounds (OCs) from wastewater and propose a methodology to a standardisation procedure for complex mixtures of OCs in wastewater, such as pulp mill effluents. A new method has been proposed for determining the most hydrophobic part of the extractable organic halogens (EOX(fob)), the lowest reported value is 0.6 microg/l, expressed as chloride, and the relative standard deviation at 20 microg/l is 7% on laboratory samples and 30% on real effluents. This new procedure could be a valuable tool to complement environmental risk assessment studies of wastewater discharges.