ABSTRACT
Many second-order effects are not anticipated in either the primary toxicity testing regime or the toxicity profiles generated by knowledge of the pesticide’s classification. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) typically works with a substantial regulatory burden, making consideration of secondary impacts of pesticides highly impractical. The EPA reviews over 5000 registration submissions each year, including a review of at least 20 applications for a new registration of product[1]. While it is axiomatic that all pesticides currently in use must fulfill certain toxicity testing requirements prior to their registration[2], such testing fails to anticipate all potential adverse effects stemming from exposure, particularly if such exposure is protracted and at low doses. There is presently a window of opportunity for expanding the net of tests required for registration to anticipate secondary effects since international agencies are presently working towards an integrated management and risk assessment program under the International Programme on Chemical Safety[3]. The current impetus to harmonize risk assessment across national borders is presently concentrating on the health risk assessment of pesticides.
