TL: MAF/DOH DOMESTIC FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PESTICIDE RESIDUE MONITORING SURVEY - PART 2 SO: Greenpeace New Zealand (GP) DT: not dated Keywords: gp greenpeace pesticides herbicides cancer residue chemicals carcinogens / MAF/ DOH DOMESTIC FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PESTICIDE RESIDUE MONITORING SURVEY - PART 2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION 1. Fruit and vegetables for this part of the survey were collected and analysed in July-August 1990; but the results still have not been released to the public more than one year later. 2. 45% of samples had detectable pesticide residues; 9% had residues levels that violated the legal limit - ie: the Maximum Residue Level (MRL). This is considerably higher than similar survey results in the USA and in Australia: USA - 32% of samples with residues, 4.5% with residues above legal limit. Perth - 30% with residues, 25% with residues above legal limit. 3. In the MAF/DOH survey 8 fungicides and 9 insecticides were found. Celery alone had 13 different pesticide residues. 4. 2 series of tests were carried out: one for dithiocarbamate fungicides (Maneb, Zineb,Mancozeb); another, the Multi-residue test covered a wider variety of pesticides. However these tests only covered 80 pesticides and there are approximately 280 pesticides registered for use in NZ. RESULTS: Dithiocarbamates: sample % with residues % with residues above MRL celery 50% 12.5% tomatoes 50% 0 Multi-residue test: celery 94% 50% cucumber 50% 21% lettuce 50% 7% oranges 71% 0 tomatoes 79% 0 5. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS * Dithiocarbamates (or EBDCs as they are commonly known) include the commonly used fungicides Maneb, Mancozeb and Zineb. They have been classified by the US EPA as Group B2 carcinogens based on animal tests that revealed lung, liver and thyroid tumours. There is a risk to humans of cancer through dietary exposure and a risk to the people who apply the chemicals of reproductive problems, such as birth defects. EBDCs break down into ETU (ethylene thiourea) which is an even more potent carcinogen than the original pesticide. This breakdown process occurs as a result of cooking, digestion, food processing and storage. 18 years ago the US EPA recommended that no residue level be allowable for EBDCs, based on their concerns about the potential of these chemicals to cause reproductive problems and cancer, and on their acute toxicity to aquatic organisms. Not until 1988 did they finally place EBDCs under special review, and as a result many of their use applications have been withdrawn by the manufacturers. This includes there use on tomatoes, celery, lettuce and cucumbers. * Multi-residue tests: these tests revealed 16 different pesticides residues. 13 pesticides were found in celery alone. If one added tomato, lettuce and cucumber to the salad, this brings the number of chemicals present up to 16 (not including the carcinogenic EBDCs). One chemical found, Captafol, a known carcinogen, banned in Australia and a number of European countries was deregistered in NZ two years ago, yet one sample of celery contained 60 times the MRL for this carcinogenic chemical. Some of these chemicals are considered to be carcinogenic (captan, captafol); some may cause allergic reactions, some affect the nervous system (diazinon) or cause birth defects (diazinon) Reported toxic effects in animal tests: CAPTAFOL - carcinogenic, CAPTAN - carcinogenic, birth defects, mutagenic. CHLOROTHALONIL - allergic reactions; DIAZINON - affects nervous system; birth defects ENDOSULFAN - suspected carcinogen, mutagen, and of causing embryotoxicity. IPRODIONE - VINCLOZIN - severely restricted in UK because of birth defects and reduced reproductive capacity in rats. PERMETHRIN - For all of these individual chemicals the effects of long term exposure through continued intake of residues in food is unknown. THERE IS NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS OF THESE CHEMICALS WHEN CONSUMED BY HUMANS. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE AT ALL OF THE SAFETY OF THE LONG TERM CONTINUOUS INTAKE OF A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CHEMICALS. THERE ARE NO SAFE LEVELS OF THESE CHEMICALS: * maximum residue levels are based on eating patterns and food consumption of adults, not on those of sick people, the elderly or children, no those of vegetarians or others with special dietary needs. Children eat more food than adults relative to their body weight. * MRLs do not take into account children's susceptibility to pesticides - especially their effects on neurological and behavioural development; nor the susceptibility of those who are old or sick, especially with liver and immune system problems. * MRLs do not take into account the synergistic effects of 15 or more different pesticides in the salad. GREENPEACE DEMANDS: * an immediate ban on the use of any pesticide deregistered or voluntarily withdrawn from registration, and a recall of any remaining stocks. * full and immediate public disclosure of the toxic, persistent and bioaccumulative chemicals used in food production so that the public know what they are eating and can make informed choices. * a time-line for the phase out of the use of toxic, persistent and bioaccumulative chemicals in food production in New Zealand.