Project ID: 2006IN89B

Title: Environmental Risk Assessment of Soybean Rust Fungicides Use in Indiana

Project Type: Research

Start Date: 03/01/2006

End Date: 05/31/2007

Congressional District: 4th

Focus Categories: Toxic Substances, Models

Keywords: human and aquatic risk assessment, fungicides

Principal Investigators: Ochoa-Acuna, Hugo G; Engel, Bernard; Hahn, Leighanne

Federal Funds: $20,000

Non-Federal Matching Funds: $48,841

Abstract: We propose to conduct a state-wide environmental risk assessment for 11 fungicides to be used in fighting soybean rust. The EPA issued emergency exemption registrations for use of these fungicides to combat this newly introduced soybean disease. It is expected that combating this disease will require the use of large amounts of fungicides within Indiana, even though their safety to humans and aquatic organisms has not been adequately documented. Annual mean and 4-day peak surface water concentrations for 11 fungicides already predicted with a model using spatially overlaid data on fungicide and land use, soil characteristics, and weather will be combined with effects data from toxicity tests, published information, and computational toxicology results to evaluate and rank fungicides according to their safety and to develop best management practices guidelines for these chemicals.