Carcinogenic hazards from pesticide residues

Abstract

The possibility that residues of pesticides present in food eaten by man could lead to an increased risk that the consumer might develop cancer has been considered twice in the preceding twelve volumes of Residue Reviews. OSER (1962) discussed the experimental studies that are made or should be made in experimental animals in order to provide evidence as to whether or not the substance under investigation had a carcinogenic action on these animals. He emphasized the lack of agreement on the best experimental methods to be employed and pointed out the difficulties of interpreting the findings in animal experiments in such a way that would enable anyone to indicate the hazard the substance under test might present to man if present in his food. durham (1963) in a very comprehensive review of the health hazards that might arise from pesticide residues present in food discussed the difficulties of obtaining any information on the effects on man. He also considered in some detail the problems raised by residues of Aramite [2 - (p-tertiarybutylphenoxy) -isopropyl-2-chloroethyl sulphite], aminotriazole, dichlorodiphenyl-dichloroethane (DDT), and dieldrin.

Ideally the slightest real suspicion of carcinogenicity ought to be enough to prevent a substance from being allowed in the human environment whereas the most rigid proof ought to be insisted upon when the result is to be used as evidence upon which to base further work or to support a theory of carcinogenesis. In practice the reverse is true. (from clayson 1962)