The Black List: Pesticides

Abamectin, Avid as it is often referred to in the generic, is an insecticide, acaricide and nematicide most commonly used by gardeners and the agriculture industry to fight off mites. Known as a developmental or reproductive toxin in humans, this chemical is highly toxic to aquatic life.

Bifenthrin is a pyrethroid class of chemicals primarily used to combat imported red fire ants, but is used by farmers to fight aphids, gnats, mites, and thrips among other insects. It has been identified as a developmental or reproductive toxin and is a suspected endocrine disruptor. Not only is bifenthrin highly toxic to aquatic organisms, it has the longest half-life in soil of any insecticide currently on the market.

Chlormequat Chloride is a chloride salt that acts as a plant growth regulator used in the agriculture industry to control cell elongation in cereal grains. High exposure is known to be a developmental or reproductive toxin in humans and other mammals. It is soluble in water allowing potential groundwater and runoff contamination.

Daminozide has been illegal to use on U.S. food crops since 1989. A two-year study on exposure and children showed even low levels of consumption resulted in a 240% increase in cancer risk. Another plant growth regulator, it was commonly used in Washington State by apple growers to make harvests easier, who sued for libel after the press reported on it. Even actress Meryl Streep testified in Congress as an expert on the chemical in her urging for organic standards.

Dichlorvos is an organophosphate insecticide, used to attack infestations of aphids, spider mites, thrips, and other insects. When it comes to human risk, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) labels it as, “Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health.” Environmentally, this chemical is a big risk for groundwater contamination; it doesn’t absorb into sediment, allowing it to travel through soil.

Imidacloprid is a systemic insecticide and a member of the neonicotinoids class of chemicals. According to current research, Imadacloprid and other members of its class used in wide-spread agricultural applications may be contributing to honey bee colony collapse in North America and Europe. The E.P.A here in the U.S., as well as Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency consider this chemical to have high potential for surface water run off and ground water leaching.

Myclobutanil is a fungicide known recently in the media as the active ingredient in Eagle 20. Another Pesticide Awareness Network (P.A.N.) “Bad Actor” chemical, it is a known reproduction or developmental toxin and a suspected endocrine disruptor. Ecological toxicity is particularly harsh on aquatic organisms and amphibians.

Paclobutrazol is a fungicide that retards plant growth. Its method reduces internodial growth in a way that thickens stems, increases root growth, encourages early fruiting, and reduces sensitivity to frost. Although it’s not a “Bad Actor” on P.A.N.’s list, it’s impacts on aquatic life is quite harsh. Talk about tenacious: It stabilizes in water-sediment mixtures, with a degradation time to half concentration (DT50) takes nearly 2 years.

Permethrin is a common and widely used ingredient in insecticides and insect repellents. The E.P.A. gives it a Class II designation, but it is extremely toxic to fish and cats. It is a neurotoxin and works by slowing down the nervous system through binding sodium channels. What’s the worry with this chemical and cannabis? Human tissue studies indicate it promotes carcinogenic action in nasal mucosal cells when inhaled. It’s also shown up in breast milk.

Propiconazole is a systemic fungacide that employs an enzyme that stops cellular growth. Although generally cited as moderately low acute toxicity, the E.P.A. studies indicate strong suspicion that it is carcinogenic to humans. Ecologically, it is somewhat mobile in soil and is highly toxic to fish.

Spinosad is a highly effective broad pest spectrum insecticide made from the isolation of two bits of soil bacteria. It has a low toxicity to mammals, and a good environmental profile. It is approved for use in organic agriculture by numerous national and international certifications as well. While all that seems great, this insecticide is highly toxic to honey bees in both acute and chronic exposure levels. It does a number on the butterfly populations, too.

Spiromesifen is a tetronic acid insecticide developed in 2006 by Bayer and used primarily to fight mites and whiteflies. While highly toxic to fish and other non-target insects, acute toxicity from inhalation and skin contact is listed as low risk. Information on this chemical is a bit hard to find; checking datasheets from the regulatory bodies of the E.U. gives more details.

Uniconazole is an azole class fungicide with growth regulator properties. While the W.H.O. lists acute toxicity risk as “slight,” research indicates it may be a carcinogen with water contamination risks, even earning a spot on the E.P.A.’s carcinogen watch list. In aerobic soil, the half-life of Uniconazole is 583 days.

Piperonyl butoxide is an organic compound (a semi-synthesized derivative of safrole) that isn’t a pesticide on its own, but rather is mixed with certain pesticide compounds as a synergist to increase their potency. The E.P.A. designates it as a Class C indicating its potential as a carcinogen.

Pyrethrins are a class of organic compounds derived from certain members of the Crysanthemum genus. They are particularly potent at attacking the nervous systems of insects. Many consider this an organic pesticide, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Chronic toxicity occurs most quickly through inhalation exposure.