Before the curtain falls: Endocrine-active pesticides - A German contamination legacy

Abstract

As a result of the European Parliament approving a new EU pesticide regulation (1107/2009/EC replacing directive 91/414/EEC) and a directive on the sustainable use of pesticides (2009/128/EC), in October 2009, various active ingredients are likely to be banned for use as pesticides. The use of pesticides that are carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxic to reproduction, or that have endocrine-disrupting properties, shall no longer be authorized for use. Active ingredients that are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT), or very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) shall be phased out as well. The decision-making process for setting test criteria for endocrine-disrupting pesticides is pending and is planned to be finalized by 2013 (EU, 2009a). The new regulation becomes effective in June 2011. According to directive 2009/128/EC, all member states are required to adopt National Action Plans for reducing the human health and environmental risks of pesticide use. The protection of the aquatic environment and drinking water supplies from pesticides, and the obligation to undertake corresponding control measures, was particularly highlighted. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.