Journal or Publishing Institution: BioScience
Date of Publication: 09/01/2014
Study: http://bioscience.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2014/09/01/biosci.biu138.full
Author(s): Boone, M. D., Bishop, C. A., Boswell, L. A., Brodman, R. D., Burger, J., Davidson, C., Gochfeld, D., Hoverman, J. T., Neuman-Lee, L. A., Relyea, R. A., Rohr, J. R., Salice, C., Semlitsch, R. D., Sparling, D., and Weir, S.
Article Type: Journal Publication
Abstract:
Pesticide use results in the widespread distribution of chemical contaminants, which necessitates regulatory agencies to assess the risks to environmental and human health. However, risk assessment is compromised when relatively few studies are used to determine impacts, particularly if most of the data used in an assessment are produced by a pesticide’s manufacturer, which constitutes a conflict of interest. Here, we present the shortcomings of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s pesticide risk assessment process, using the recent reassessment of atrazine’s impacts on amphibians as an example. We then offer solutions to improve the risk assessment process, which would reduce the potential for and perception of bias in a process that is crucial for environmental and human health.
Keywords: amphibians, atrazine, pesticides, conflicts of interest, Environmental Protection Agency, risk assessment, human health
Citation:
Boone, M.D., Bishop, C.A., Boswell, L.A., Brodman, R.D., Burger, J., Davidson, C., Gochfeld, M., Hoverman, J.T., Neuman-Lee, L.A., Relyea, R.A. and Rohr, J.R., 2014. Pesticide regulation amid the influence of industry. BioScience, 64(10), pp.917-922.
Category:
- Environmental effects
- Pesticide use
Record ID: 233
