The use of IRPeQ model as indicator to estimate the risk of some pesticides on human health and environment. Bouagga, A., Chaabane, H., Bahrouni, H., and Hassine K

Abstract

Different pesticides can be used by farmers to control bioagressors. To assess environmental and human health risks due to pesticide use, pesticide risk indicators are elaborated. The objective of this study was to characterize the potential risks of pesticides used and their side effects on health and environment. A census of the use of pesticides in citrus orchards was conducted among farmers in Tunisia during crop season 2013/14. Two risk indexes were calculated for each pesticide: a Health Risk Index (HRI) and an Environmental Risk Index (ERI) according to the Quebec Pesticides Risk Indicator (IRPeQ). The parameters used to follow each calculation were obtained from the registration dossier of each formulation and the international databases like Agritox, Extoxnet and PAN Pesticides. The highest HRI were obtained for the formulations based on the active ingredient methidathion (HRI= 1227), while, Success Appât ® a formulation, based on spinosad as active ingredient, is the product with the lowest health risk (HRI= 12). On the other hand, its ERI was evaluated with an index of 175, according to its toxicity towards honey bees. The fungicide formulation Aliette Express® presented slightly low health and environmental risk indexes. The determination of the risk indexes HRI and ERI allowed us to compare pesticides (active ingredient and formulation) according to their potential risk and facilitate the choice of the pesticide with least risk for human health and environment.

Keywords

• Citrus
• environment
• health
• pesticides
• risk index