industry/Business
Toward less emotion in pesticide policy ACS symposium speakers call for sounder scientific basis for decisions restricting or banning use of pesticides In some instances, emotion has prevailed over logic in approaching pesticide problems. The result has been the sometimes unwarranted banning or restricting use of certain herbicides and insecticides. What is needed in the future is more and better input from scientists before acting to regulate the use of pesticides, together with more scientific manpower in some of the problem areas. These, in brief, are some of the major conclusions reached at a symposium on herbicides and pesticides— policies and perspectives, sponsored jointly by ACS's Committee on Chemistry and Public Affairs and the Division of Pesticide Chemistry. Speakers were Dr. Fred B. Knight, professor of forest entomology, University of Michigan; Dr. William B. Ennis, Jr., chief, crops protection research branch, USDA Agricultural Research Service; Dr. William J. Darby, chairman, department of biochemistry, Vanderbilt University school of medicine; and William D. Ruckelshaus, administrator, Environmental Protection Agency. (For more on science policy, see page 29.) Misconceptions. Discussing insect control and its prospects, Dr. Knight notes that too often the term persistent insecticide is equated to chlorinated hydrocarbons. And often "apparently knowledgeable people state that some new pesticide is completely nontoxic." Such misconceptions or errors of definition, together with emotion, have led to bans on use rather than regulation of pesticides. Pesticides must be used cautiously and wisely. The biggest problem today, however, is the lack of knowledge necessary for applying fully integrated pest management systems to most pest problems. The need for highly trained chemists and lab tech-
be developed, he adds, are protocols to evaluate realistically the dose-response hazards that will result from each pesticide. Report. In reviewing the report of the Mrak commission—the report of the HEW Secretary's commission on pesticides and their relationship to environmental health—Dr. Darby cites several instances where the recommendations of the commission have already been initiated or even implemented. Among them: elimination of nearly all but essential uses of DDT, restricted use of certain persistent pesticides, creation of a pesticide advisory council within HEW, and establishment of the National Center for Toxicological Research at Pine Bluff, Ark. Echoing the concern of previous speakers over the role of emotion in pesticide control, Dr. Darby called for accurate, balanced, and objective information from scientists regarding environmental matters. The scientist must "avoid creating a sense of alarm where there is no reason for disquiet." He must not take his prominence in Ennis: more relevant dosages his own field as a license for authority USDA's Dr. Ennis in his presentation in other areas. "Only after results was also critical of the decision-mak- of a scientific investigation have been ing process. "The potential pitfall of made freely available for peer review trying to solve pesticide problems by through established scientific media government pronouncements under should the investigator make public pressure of extremists is typified by statements concerning their implicathe recent 2,4,5-T episode," he says. tions," Dr. Darby told the symposium. Mr. Ruckelshaus urged that the role Part of the 2,4,5-T problem is the presence of a toxic impurity, 2,3,7,8- of the scientist be carried a step furtetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Dosages ther and that he be prepared to speak and methods of ingestion used in toxi- out in public hearings. "If a decision cological studies should be "more regarding the use of a particular relevant to actual and potential ex- chemical is to have credibility with posures in food and the environment the public, and with the media which generally." For example, based on may strongly influence that public a government teratogen study with judgment, then the decision must be mice, a pregnant woman weighing made in the full glare of the public 59 kg. would have to consume 5900 limelight." He added that he undermg. of 2,4,5-T per day to receive a stands the scientist's desire to seek a dosage equivalent to the lowest dos- quiet place to contemplate and careage causing teratogenic effects in fully work out rational solutions in pregnant mice. "Thus, using the addition to the scientist's distaste of highest residue of 2,4,5-T (0.29 p.p.m.) the hysteria that sometimes accomfound in FDA market basket sam- panies public discussion of environples, the woman would have to eat mental issues. "However, the de45,000 pounds of the food each day mands of a free and open society will for 10 days to receive a similar dose not permit such a complete luxury," of 2,4,5-T," Dr. Ennis says. What must he told the symposium. nicians as well as well-trained field evaluators, advisors, and ecosystem specialists is very clear, Dr. Knight stresses. However, "above all we should remove pest management from emotional and political pressure groups and should base decisions on human needs and our knowledge of the ecosystem," he says.
SEPT. 27, 1971 C&EN 17
