Title: An assessment and perception of the hazards of pesticide use in the aquatic environment

Authors: L. E. Burridge, K. Haya, V. Zitko

Addresses: Dept. Fisheries and Oceans, Physical and Chemical Sciences, Marine Chemistry Division, Biological Station, St. Andrews, New Brunswick E0G 2X0, Canada. ' Dept. Fisheries and Oceans, Physical and Chemical Sciences, Marine Chemistry Division, Biological Station, St. Andrews, New Brunswick E0G 2X0, Canada. ' Dept. Fisheries and Oceans, Physical and Chemical Sciences, Marine Chemistry Division, Biological Station, St. Andrews, New Brunswick E0G 2X0, Canada

Abstract: Various models are available to help assess the risk of chemicals to the aquatic environment. The hazard posed by pesticides in use in Prince Edward Island, Canada was estimated by a model based on fugacity. Groups of individuals currently working in the field of aquatic toxicology were asked to rank 20 of these pesticides in order of decreasing hazard. There is little agreement between prediction using the model and perceptions of the respondents. There is general agreement between two of the groups of toxicologists surveyed, although this is also variable. The results show a need for standardised methods of hazard assessment.

Keywords: hazard assessment; pesticides; fugacity; aquatic environment; toxicology; water pollution; environmental pollution; chemicals; chemical risk; Canada.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.1991.028477

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 1991 Vol.1 No.1/2, pp.51 - 54

Published online: 18 Sep 2009 *

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