Optical Immunosensor and ELISA for the Analysis of Pyrethroids and DDT in Environmental Samples

Krämer, Petra M.; Weber, Cristina M; Kremmer, Elisabeth; Räuber, Christina; Martens, D.; Förster, Stephan; Stanker, Larry H.; Rauch, Peter; Shiundu, Paul M.; Mulaa, Francis

doi:10.1021/bk-2007-0966.ch012

Cited by 4 publications

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Transport and Fate of Agrochemicals in the Environment

Kennedy¹,

Crossan²,

Burns³

et al. 2011

Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology

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Synthetic agrochemicals applied at high concentration in the environment for pest control inevitably disperse from these sites, affecting non‐target species. As expected from the second law of thermodynamics, they will dilute spontaneously, transported into the available sinks in the environment by all transport mechanisms available. These dispersing chemicals comprise a diversity of manufactured products considered essential for modern economic civilisation, largely based on the consumption of fossil fuels. Despite the need for environmental protection, it is certain that the agrochemicals known as pesticides will continue to disperse into ecosystems given the greater needs for global food security that are expected to intensify. However, banning such chemicals because of real or perceived risks may not be a rational response. We now possess extensive information on the fate and transport of such agrochemicals. In this article, selected case studies using data generated in the past 20 years for a contrasting range of legacy and current chemicals (DDT, endosulfan, diuron and glyphosate) are used in illustration, suggesting operating principles that can be used for achieving rational environmental management using risk analysis. There is a clear need for all stakeholders including environmentalists, to take responsibility for monitoring agrochemicals, to better assess their risk and manage and minimise their consequences. The benefits from strong and rational stewardship, where manufacturers, regulators users and all those who benefit from their use promote rational management of these products needs clearer recognition by all. Such approaches based on risk management could largely obviate the less rational precautionary approach.

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