| Unidentified Inert Ingredients in Pesticides: Implications for Human and Environmental Health Caroline Cox1,2 and Michael Surgan3 1Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, Eugene, Oregon, USA; 2Center for Environmental Health, Oakland, California, USA; 3Office of the Attorney General of New York State, Environmental Protection Bureau, New York, New York, USA Abstract
Background: By statute or regulation in the United States and elsewhere, pesticide ingredients are divided into two categories: active and inert (sometimes referred to as other ingredients, adjuvants, or coformulants) . Despite their name, inert ingredients may be biologically or chemically active and are labeled inert only because of their function in the formulated product. Most of the tests required to register a pesticide are performed with the active ingredient alone, not the full pesticide formulation. Inert ingredients are generally not identified on product labels and are often claimed to be confidential business information. Objectives: In this commentary, we describe the shortcomings of the current procedures for assessing the hazards of pesticide formulations and demonstrate that inert ingredients can increase the toxicity of and potential exposure to pesticide formulations. Discussion: Inert ingredients can increase the ability of pesticide formulations to affect significant toxicologic end points, including developmental neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, and disruption of hormone function. They can also increase exposure by increasing dermal absorption, decreasing the efficacy of protective clothing, and increasing environmental mobility and persistence. Inert ingredients can increase the phytotoxicity of pesticide formulations as well as the toxicity to fish, amphibians, and microorganisms. Conclusions: Pesticide registration should require full assessment of formulations. Evaluations of pesticides under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and similar statutes should include impact assessment of formulations. Environmental monitoring for pesticides should include inert ingredients. To enable independent research and risk assessment, inert ingredients should be identified on product labels. Key words: ecologic effects, exposure, formulations, inert ingredients, pesticides, toxicology. Environ Health Perspect 114:1803–1806 (2006) . doi:10.1289/ehp.9374 available via http://dx.doi.org/ [Online 18 August 2006]
Address correspondence to C. Cox, Center for Environmental Health, 528 61st St., Suite A, Oakland, CA 94609-1204 USA. Telephone: (510) 594-9864 ext. 308. Fax: (510) 594-9863. E-mail: caroline@cehca.org The work of C. Cox was partially funded by grants from the Rockefeller Family Fund, the Bullitt Foundation, The Bauman Foundation, and the Wianko Family Fund to the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides. C.C. is employed by a nonprofit advocacy organization whose mission is to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals. M.S. declares he has no competing financial interests. Received 24 May 2006 ; accepted 17 August 2006.
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