Aspects of pesticide toxicology

Pesticides are currently perceived by the public as posing a major long-term threat to the health of the population. While the acute toxic effects of accidental or intentional ingestion of large doses are accepted, very little is known about the health risks associated with chronic occupational exposure or a life-long intake in food and drinking water. As in most cases of risk assessment, it is the relative risks that must be considered. Pesticides have made a vital contribution to the quality and quantity of food and overall to health both in developed and, most significantly, developing countries, so that their sudden withdrawal would present far more serious health problems than do their potential long-term toxic effects. Genetic engineering may develop seeds that are naturally resistant to many plant diseases, and biological methods of insect control are likely to be used more frequently, but the continued use of pesticides will be necessary for many more years. There is a pressing need for research into the chronic health effects in man of low-level exposure to pesticides, the mechanisms of the toxic effects, and the development of reliable methods for monitoring exposure. The responsibility for ensuring that this work is undertaken must be accepted by governments.