Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
3. No Observable Effect Level
The ADI is usually set one hundred times lower than the no observable ef-
fect level (NOEL). A much greater safety factor is required if there is evidence
that the pesticide causes cancer in test animals. Although the Delaney
Amendment to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act prevents the add-
ition of an animal carcinogen to foods, it does not apply to pesticide residues
that occur inadvertently in the production of the crop.
The no observable effect level (NOEL) is the dosage of a pesticide that
results in no distinguishable harm to experimental animals in chronic toxicity
studies that include the minute examination of all body organs for abnormal-
ity.
It is extremely unlikely that any American will ever be exposed to
anything near the ADI in his or her food. Numerous, detailed, continuing,
nationwide studies show the actual pesticide residues in food to be far below
the ADI and the established tolerances.
The pesticide residues on crops at the time of harvest are usually less than
the tolerances. Residues decrease during storage and transit. They are reduced
further by operations such as washing, peeling, and cooking when the food is
prepared for eating. Every acre of a food crop will not have been treated with
the same pesticide, if any. And no one eats every food for which there is a
tolerance for a particular pesticide every day. Further, the ADI refers to
lifetime exposure. A minor excess of the ADI for a short period should be
inconsequential.
II. WORKER SAFETY REGULATIONS
WORKER PROTECTION STANDARD FOR AGRICULTURAL
PESTICIDES (40 CFR Part 170, 1992)
The Worker Protection Standard
(WPS) is a federal regulation designed to
protect agricultural workers (people involved in the production of agricultural
plants) and pesticide handlers (people mixing, loading, or applying pesticides
or doing other tasks involving direct contact with pesticides). Employers
must provide the following required information, training or equipment:
A. PESTICIDE APPLICATION INFORMATION AT A CENTRAL
LOCATION
•
In an easily seen central location on each agricultural establishment, the
following information must be displayed:
