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Minor Use News July 2004
Chemical Review Update
(extracts taken from APVMA News – Winter 2004)
The existing registration of chemicals and the conditions for their use can be reconsidered by the APVMA at any time if it has identified concerns about their effects on human health, the environment or trade. The Chemical Review section investigates such concerns about existing registered chemicals and determines whether the particular chemicals continue to meet contemporary standards for registration and approval. The review process helps ensure that pesticides and veterinary medicines do not cause undue harm to our health, the health of the world around us, and our trade with other nations.
The APVMA review team is currently working on 32 chemical reviews involving many hundreds of products. A summary of the current reviews is provided in the following table.
The APVMA is currently assessing information forthe following chemicals:
- 1080
- 2,4-D
- atrazine
- azinphos-methyl
- benomyl
- carbaryl
- carbon disulfide
- chlorpyrifos
- cypermethrin
- diazinon
- dichlorvos
- dimetridazole
- diquat temephos
- diuron
- endosulfan
- fenamiphos
- fenthion
- macrolide antibiotics
- maldison (malathion)
- methidathion
- methamidaphos
- methiocarb
- molinate
- paraquat
- parathion-methyl
- sheep ectoparasiticides
- temephos
Background to some reviews:
Arsenic based timber treatments (CCA)
The review of arsenic based timber treatments has examined the potential for toxicological effects associated with arsenic timber treatment products (copper chrome arsenate or arsenic trioxide), the environmental effects from the use and disposal of CCA or arsenic trioxide products, and the adequacy of instructions and warnings on product labels. The draft review report was released for public comment in December 2003. It recommended that CCA timber treatment products be declared Restricted Chemical Products, thereby restricting access to suitably trained persons. It also recommended that they not be used in future for children's play equipment, picnic tables, decking and handrails. The draft review report attracted a high level of community, media and public attention. Public comments on the draft report are currently being taken into consideration for the final report.
Carbaryl
The review of carbaryl was originally initiated to consider potential residues in cereal crops and in animal commodities. The scope of the review was later extended to include possible human health concerns when used in home garden or home veterinary applications, and also possible issues to do with acute dietary intake of carbaryl. The draft final report is currently available for public comment. Call for comment by 27th August 2004.
Benomyl
The benomyl review is considering the potential for harmful levels of worker exposure to the chemical. The APVMA has suspended further manufacture of the product until the review is completed, and has required that additional safety information be provided with existing stocks at retail outlets. Data are currently being assessed.
Endosulfan
While the final review report is nearing completion, there were some additional issues that needed to be resolved in relation to worker exposure. The draft final report has been released for public comment. Call for comment by 30th July 2004.
Atrazine
This review originated after atrazine, a widely used herbicide in cropping and forestry, was linked to human health concerns and the contamination of ground and surface water. The review is also considering possible effects on frog development associated with endocrine disruption. The draft final report is in preparation and will be released for public comment.
1080
1080 is being reviewed because of concerns raised by community groups, individual citizens and a government agency over the possible poisoning of non-target native and domestic animals. Approximately 250 submissions were received in response to the APVMA’s initial call for comment before the review commenced. The technical assessment reports are currently being evaluated, prior to release of the draft review report.
Virginiamycin
The draft review report was released for public comment in March 2003. It primarily considered the potential for harmful effects in humans and whether the products are effective. To address potential risks, the draft review report recommended the cancellation of all uses of virginiamycin as a growth promotant by deletion of some label claims and use patterns, and also recommended the addition of more specific instructions and restraints statements. This review has attracted considerable public interest and elicited divergent views. The final review report is being prepared and has taken into consideration issues raised in the public submissions.
Fipronil
The timeframe to submit data for this review closed at the end of March 2004. Potential occupational health and safety, animal safety and toxicological concerns will be examined. The APVMA is also closely monitoring international developments.
Want to know more?
Review scope documents, interim review reports, draft review reports and final review reports when they are available can be found at Chemical Review Program and Reports.Chemical Review Program and reports
Further details regarding Chemical review announcements are published through the APVMA Gazette.
class="style2">For further information on chemical reviews phone (02) 6272 3213 or e-mail chemrev@apvma.gov.au