SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1981
STP35162S

Reducing Potential Hazards of Pesticides to Fish, Wildlife, and Habitat

Source

Environmental safety data must be applied in the registration of pesticides, including labels and labeling. Knowledge of physiology, ecology, and behavior of organisms should be combined with the physical and chemical properties, formulation, and use patterns of pesticides to reduce hazard to fish, wildlife, and habitat. The hazards of pesticides can be separated into (1) the pesticide concentrations, (2) the time and nature of exposure, and (3) exposure to nontarget organisms. Hazard varies with the habitat and the sensitivity of organisms, including the most vulnerable life stage, links of food chains, habitat requirement, and other limiting factors. The bioaccumulation of residues may also compromise the wholesomeness and value of fish and wildlife for both recreational and nutritional uses. Mitigation of the hazard can be accomplished by adequate training of pest control operators, better formulations, application methods, timing of the application, and utilization of the safest pesticides or alternative pest control methods and cultural practices (integrated pest management). However, such precautions must be more universally accepted and applied over broad geographic areas to be effective in minimizing losses.

Author Information

Walker, CR
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C.
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Details
Developed by Committee: E35
Pages: 174–187
DOI: 10.1520/STP35162S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4818-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0760-1