New pesticide cocktail report admits concerns

15 October 2002

The report into the cocktail effect of mixtures of pesticides was published by the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT). The report recommends that there must be better monitoring of people's exposure and that mixtures of pesticides are considered in the regulatory process.

Friends of the Earth criticized the report because:

• The Committee's conclusion that there is low risk to human health is based on assumptions, not actual evidence. It is assumed that people are exposed to low levels of pesticides but the Committee admitted that it has no idea about levels of exposure. Not only does COT admit that it is difficult to work out exposure from food residues, it also reported that information about other routes of pesticide exposure is "extremely poor or non-existent."
• The report accepts that there are many forms of pesticide exposure - other than through eating food - but ignores these in its assessment of risk. In fact there is the potential for high levels of cumulative exposure. In addition to being found as residues in food, pesticides are used in home and garden products, pet treatments, head louse treatments, paints and carpets. Some people are exposed to pesticides at work, while bystanders can be exposed to spray drift from farms. Local authorities spray pesticides in parks and gardens.
• The Committee concludes that there is not likely to be any greater risk to pregnant women, nursing mothers and children; however, it admits that this conclusion is based on "limited information" and "despite their possible greater sensitivity."

"This report uses bad science to play down risks to human health in order to justify inaction," Friends of the Earth Pesticides Campaigner Sandra Bell said. "The Committee admits that it does not know the levels of pesticides that people are exposed to in their homes, through their food and in their workplaces, yet its conclusions are based on the assumption that exposure levels are low.

"The report raises serious concerns about mixtures of particular pesticides but its recommendations could take decades to have any effect. Ministers must see through the flaws in this report and take immediate action to protect people's health," she added.

• Friends of the Earth also criticises the report for its weak recommendations. Although the Committee raises concerns about the effects of mixtures of particular groups of pesticides, such as organophosphates, it does not recommend reducing exposure to them. Although better monitoring is needed, testing of even the most common combination of pesticides could take decades while people continue to be exposed to potentially harmful mixtures of pesticides. More immediate action is needed.

Risk Assessment of Mixtures of Pesticides and Similar Substances is available on the Food Standards Agency website www.foodstandards.gov.uk in the science section.

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