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Moore DR, Teed S, Rodney S, Thompson R, Fischer D: Refined Avian Risk Assessment for Aldicarb. . Integr Environ Assess Manag. 2009 Jun 26:1.
Aldicarb was recently reviewed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for re-registration eligibility. In this paper, we describe a refined avian risk assessment for aldicarb that was conducted to build upon the screening-level methods used in the assessment by USEPA. The goal of the refined ERA was to better characterize and understand the risks posed by aldicarb to birds in areas where the pesticide is applied. Aldicarb is a systemic insecticide sold in granular form under the trade name TEMIK (R). It is applied directly to soil and is used to control mites, nematodes, and aphids on a variety of crops (e.g., cotton, potatoes, peanuts). Consumption of grit is necessary for proper digestion in many bird species, particularly for granivores and insectivores. Thus, aldicarb granules may be mistaken for grit by birds. The Granular Pesticide Avian Risk Assessment Model (GranPARAM) is described in a companion paper and was used to estimate the probability and magnitude of effects to flocks of birds that frequent aldicarb-treated fields. 135 exposure scenarios were modelled that together include a range of bird species, crops, application methods and rates, and regions in the United States. The results indicated that even for the most sensitive bird species, the risks associated with the agricultural use of granular aldicarb are negligible to low. There are several reasons for the limited risk: (1) the TEMIK (R) formulation includes a gypsum core, a graphite coating and is black in color, all of which have been shown to be unattractive to birds, and (2) the pesticide is applied sub-surface and rapidly dissolves following contact with water. The fact that no bird kill incidents involving appropriate label uses of aldicarb have been conclusively documented in the United States over its 38 years of use supports the results of this refined risk assessment. |
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