Session theme I Overview of pesticide regulation and use
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1.1 The science of pesticide regulation in Canada
Connie Moase, Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency
Representatives from PMRA will describe the science review process from the human health perspective, which serves as the basis for determining whether a pesticide is acceptable for registration in Canada. In addition, some frequently asked questions relating to pesticides and human health will be addressed.
1.2 CFIA’s National Chemical Residues Monitoring Program for fruits and vegetables
Robert Charlebois, Food Safety Division, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
The presentation will briefly describe the National Chemical Residue Monitoring Program implemented by the CFIA as well as related surveys. The presentation will then present how the work is prioritized and compliance levels and trends, for these commodities, from 1997 to today. The presentation will finally briefly discuss a few of the future activities at the CFIA.
1.3 Toxicology of pesticides, the science of risk assessments and international standard setting
Angelo Moretto, University of Milano, and International Centre for Pesticides and Health Prevention
Since early 1960s’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) convene a yearly Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) where a group of independent, internationally recognized experts evaluate the toxicology and the residues of pesticides used in agriculture. JMPR has been, particularly in recent years, at the front of the science of risk assessment of pesticides. Activities and criteria of JMPR to assess risk from pesticide exposure, with particular attention to carcinogenic risk, will be presented and discussed. |
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Session theme II Weighing and expressing scientific evidence
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2.1 Weighing and expressing scientific evidence
Barnett Kramer, U.S. National Institutes of Health
The presentation will cover formal methods to determine the strength of evidence surrounding medical or public health interventions or exposures.
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Session theme III Adult exposure and cancer risk
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3.1 Evidence on adult occupational exposure and cancer risk
Aaron Blair, U.S. National Cancer Institute, Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch
Results from epidemiologic studies of cancer among agricultural populations and pesticides applicators will be reviewed to provide information on the current status of field, strengths and limitations of current research methods, and to indicate future research needs.
3.2 Evidence on adult non-occupational exposure and cancer risk (bystander, dietary and indoor residential)
Mary Ward, U.S. National Cancer Institute
Evidence for associations between non-occupational exposure to pesticides and adult cancers will be presented. Epidemiologic studies evaluating pesticide use around the home and garden and 'bystander' exposure to agricultural pesticides will be summarized. New approaches to exposure assessment and promising areas for future research will be emphasized.
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Session theme IV Childhood exposure and cancer risk
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4.1 Agricultural pesticide use and risk of childhood cancer
Peggy Reynolds, Northern California Cancer Center
There has been high public interest in the degree to which children living in areas of intensive agricultural pesticide use may bear a higher risk of developing cancer, but little research conducted to date. Using geographic information system tools, and unique information on field applications of pesticides in California, this presentation will focus on ongoing efforts in California to address this question and future directions for this work.
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Session theme V Levels of pesticide exposure
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5.1 Bystander and indoor pesticide exposure
Chensheng (Alex) Lu, Harvard School of Public Health
Data collected from a longitudinal exposure assessment study has indicated multiple exposure pathways among school-age children in the residential environment. The exposure pathways not only corresponded to personal activities, but to regulatory registration on pesticide use. The findings from this study would provide an effective intervention program to minimize residential pesticide exposure.
5.2 Dietary exposure pesticide residues in food
Thea Rawn, Health Canada, Health Products and Food Branch
Pesticide levels are determined in Canadian foods as part of the Total Diet Study in addition to commodity specific studies to establish dietary exposure concentration. An overview of the ongoing Total Diet Study will be presented in addition to other recent research in this field of study.
5.3 Hazards of using exposure and toxicology data
Vincent Cogliano, International Agency for Research on Cancer
Risk assessment is challenging because study designs often do not match the exposure scenarios to which they are applied. Exposure data is often aggregated across a population group and does not capture the variation that is characteristic of most individuals. Toxicology is generally studied in mature animals exposed to only one toxic chemical and may not reflect typical human exposure scenarios.
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Session theme VI Pesticide exposure surveillance
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6.1 Biomonitoring of environmental chemicals at Health Canada
Douglas Haines, Health Canada, Risk Management Bureau
This presentation will provide an overview of Health Canada’s biomonitoring initiatives, including a synopsis of the Canadian Health Measures Survey and the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals. Some benefits and limitations of national biomonitoring studies in relation to pesticides will be described.
6.2 Biomonitoring of pesticide exposure among the U.S. population: 1999-2004
Bryan Williams, U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health
The purpose of this presentation will be to describe the characteristics of human exposure to various pesticides among the U.S. populace. Biomonitoring data obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999-2004. The utility and limitations of these data will be discussed.
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Session theme VII Precautionary-based policies and practices for reducing pesticide exposure for consideration in Canada
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7.1 The Children’s Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe (CEHAPE) and policies to reduce children’s pesticide exposure
Nathalie Röbbel, WHO Regional Office for Europe
The presentation will focus on the Children’s Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe (CEHAPE) and will present its impact of the development of policies to reduce children’s exposure to pesticides.
7.2 European approaches to promoting precautionary policies for reducing pesticide exposure
Genon Jensen, Health and Environment Alliance
This presentation will cover how the European Union is moving forward to reduce pesticides use and exposure to the most hazardous pesticides through its current pesticides legislative reform, scheduled for adoption at the end of 2008. It will also highlight success stories from a number of national governments, farmers' associations, retailers and NGOs throughout Europe which have implemented strategies for reversing reliance on agrochemical inputs through greater public education and intersectoral collaboration. The role of public interest and community groups in reducing the science policy lag and building coalitions around precautionary pesticides policy will also be addressed.
7.3 Occupational health and safety regulation and policy on pesticides, and the implications for public health
Rex Eaton, WorkSafeBC (retired)
This presentation provides an evidence-based framework for the development of regulation and policy for protecting workers from exposure to pesticides. It outlines regulatory models used to date, and some of the challenges to address in the future. It also discusses the links between occupational and public health.
7.4 Pesticide alternatives in agriculture
Rene Van Acker, University of Guelph
Agriculture has evolved over the past 10,000 years and in that context the use of synthetic pesticides in agriculture is a very recent development. Effective pest management relies on a multifaceted approach including inputs of knowledge, biological functionality and direct control tools, including pesticides. This presentation will provide insight into where we have been and where we are going in agricultural pest control and how we can manage pests in ways that rely less (or not at all) on synthetic pesticide use.
7.5 Organic farming as a precautionary practice
Andrew Hammermeister, Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada
The fundamental principles of organic agriculture will be reviewed to help address questions related to the feasibility of organic agriculture and its ability to maintain food supplies.
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