Fed: Two common pesticides may pose risk to health.

AAP General News (Australia)
04-06-2004
Fed: Two common pesticides may pose risk to health.

CANBERRA, April 6 AAP - Two chemicals commonly used by farmers and backyard gardeners
could pose a risk to human health and the nation's international trade reputation.

The nation's farm chemical watchdog, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines
Authority (APVMA), today issued a review paper for dimethoate and omethoate.

Both are organophosphate insecticides, with dimethoate used to target around 80 pests,
ranging from those that attack orchards and field crops to those found in backyard vegetable
patches.

Omethoate, a similar insecticide, is found in four registered products, two of which
are used primarily by homeowners to control pests on citrus trees, herbs and apple trees.

Two commercial applications of the chemical are used in Australia, primarily to control
pests on cotton, apples, pears and bananas.

There have been concerns about dimethoate for some time, while the APVMA said omethoate
is actually a more potent pesticide.

In its review report, the authority said because of concerns raised by the Office of
Chemical Safety, the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission and the APVMA's
own chemical and residues program, it had some issues about the two pesticides.

It said both might pose an undue health risk to users and affect Australian exports
to countries which have tight restrictions on chemical residues.

"It also appears that labels for products containing dimethoate and omethoate may not
contain adequate instructions and warning statements," it said.

The authority said that although dimethoate had been used in Australia for the past
30 years, recent information suggested the chemical might be more dangerous than previously
thought.

Some studies have linked dimethoate with cancer and reproductive defects in rats and mice.

Bayer CropScience is the only supplier of omethoate products in Australia, while more
than 10 firms produce pesticides containing dimethoate.

The APVMA will compile a full review of the two chemicals which may lead to tougher
restrictions on their use or total ban.

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KEYWORD: CHEMICALS

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