PARENT SESSION
PT2 - Endocrine Disruption
Tuesday, 19 November 2002
8:00 AM to 6:30 PM
Exhibit Hall
(P558) An Assessment of the Potential Wildlife Toxicity of Four Urban Pesticides Used in Ontario with Consideration for Endocrine Disruption.
Martin, Pamela*,1, Struger, John2, Grabuski, Josey3, 1 Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada2 Ecosystem Health Division, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada3 NWRI, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
ABSTRACT- Our objective was to identify the potential for adverse effects of four urban pesticides to wildlife at environmentally relevant concentrations in Ontario, Canada. An in-depth review of environmental toxicity, environmental concentrations, and potential for endocrine disruption of chlorpyrifos, chlorothalonil, 2,4-D and mecoprop was completed. The profile included a brief description of active ingredients, use patterns in Ontario, occurrence in surrounding natural environments, associated acute and chronic toxicity and potential for endocrine disruption, evaluation of risk to wildlife and recommendations for further action. Surveys of urban watersheds revealed that chlorpyrifos was rarely detected, chlorothalonil rarely analyzed, whereas 2,4-D and mecoprop were detected in up to 33% of surface water samples. However, concentrations rarely exceeded water quality guidelines for protection of aquatic life. Although laboratory research has shown that chlorpyrifos, chlorothalonil and 2,4-D have the potential to disrupt endocrine and immune function, levels tested were seldom relevant to the very low environmental concentrations to which wildlife in Ontario would be exposed. Effects data for mecoprop were insufficient to properly evaluate its potential for endocrine disruption.
Key words: chlorpyrifos, chlorothalonil, endocrine disruption, 2,4-D