dc.description.abstract |
Information on the hazardous nature of chemicals is important in
the production, transport, use and disposal of the chemicals in a more
environmental safer manner. The UN in 2009 created the Globally
Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) with
the aim of having a unified system for classifying chemicals (including
pesticides) according to their health, environmental and physical hazards
and to help replace the WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by
Hazard and other classifications adopted region-wise. We compared the 43
insecticides, 27 fungicides and 25 herbicides, recommended for agricultural
use in Sri Lanka, based on the above two scales with a view to examine the
implications that may encounter once the classification is implemented. The
recommended insecticides included 10 Oregano Phosphates, 8 Carbamates, 5
Pyrethroids, 4 Neo-nicotinoids, 2 Phenyl Pyrazoles, 7 Insect Growth
Regulators, 3 Moult Accelerating Compounds, and 4 bio-pesticides. The
recommended fungicides included 27 different compounds with different
modes of actions. The herbicides included a total of 25 pre- and post- plant
herbicides with different chemistries. Based on the LD50 values, WHO
system categorizes pesticides into class Ia (Extremely Hazardous), Ib
(Highly Hazardous), II (Moderately Hazardous), III (Slightly Hazardous)
and IV while the GHS scheme classify pesticides into category 1 (Fatal), 2
(Fatal), 3 (Toxic), 4 (Harmful) and 5 (May be Harmful). We observed about
25% of pesticides classified under WHO class II (moderately hazardous) will
fall under GHS Category 4 (harmful). Furthermore, the proposed phasing
out of WHO class II pesticides from agriculture use would not be easier as
some of these products would fall into GHS Category 3 alone with WHO
class III pesticides. Furthermore, we also observed that some of the WHO
class II products, having specific Mode of Actions would be important in
integrating for the management of resistance development in some major
pests to pesticides. A survey conducted among 60 Agriculture Scientists and
Industry Personnel revealed that they are not well aware of the GHS Scheme
and the implications that these changes would bring to the pesticide usage in
agriculture. |
en_US |