Project Details:

Guiding principles to facilitate a harmonized ecological risk assessment framework for nano-pesticides in the environment

The overall objective of this project is to develop a set of guiding principles to facilitate a harmonized approach for the ecological risk assessment of nano-pesticides.

Rationale: Nanotechnology is emerging as a highly attractive tool for the formulation and delivery of pesticide active ingredients as well as enhancing and offering new active ingredients.  Currently there is no broadly accepted approach for the above purpose. The OECD through the Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN) is currently undertaking extensive but broad-based work related to nanomaterials in the environment. This work excludes nano-pesticides. By contrast, the proposed project focuses solely on nano-pesticides.

 

Nano technology is emerging as a highly attractive tool for formulation and delivery of pesticide active ingredients as well as enhancing and offering new active ingredients. For example, nanocapsules based on polymers are being designed for controlled release of active ingredient as well as enhanced delivery through improved penetration through leaves. Some active ingredients are being reformulated in the form of nanoparticles to harness the extraordinary properties of nanomaterials. While a clear definition of nano-pesticides is still being sought, the term commonly refers to application of nanotechnology in delivery or formulation of pesticides.

Two potentially challenging questions arise: (i) how the fate, behavior and ecological risks of nano-pesticides differ from conventionally formulated pesticide active ingredients; and (ii) how the potential risks associated with nano-pesticides can be assessed in a harmonized and scientifically sound way?  Currently there is no broadly accepted approach to answering these questions.

To achieve a globally harmonized approach to the ecological risk assessment of nano-pesticides, it is essential to develop a set of criteria or guiding principles on the basis of which the environmental risk of nanopesticides can be evaluated. Owing to the complexity of nano-pesticide formulations, the current approach applied to conventional (non-nanopesticides) is not directly applicable to nano-pesticides.

Currently a considered set of “guiding principles” is needed for ecological risk assessment of pesticides is missing. However, some agencies such as Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) have taken an initiative and set the ball rolling. These principles, when developed with leaders in the agrochemical industry and regulatory agencies, are expected to facilitate a more uniform approach to evaluate nanopesticides for their ecological impact.

This project would consist of three phases.

1. Phase I - collate data on potential forms of so-called nanopesticides and attempt to provide a clear definition on what a nanopesticide is. A mapping of product type, their functionality and interactions with other ingredients in the formulation would be undertaken. At the end of phase I, a decision on reframing the objectives/focus of the project, if needed, would be made based on data availability.
2. Phase II -  establish the key factors that would determine the fate and behaviour of nanopesticides as opposed to conventional pesticide ingredients and potential implications of these risk factors of nano-pesticides. Decision-making matrices developed by national bodies for this purpose would be reviewed and considered.
3. Phase III -  recommend a set of guiding principles (criteria) for ecological risk evaluation of nano-pesticides, and demonstrate the potential application of the approach using select examples of nanopesticides.

 

 

A workshop to define nanopesticides and scope of the project is to be organized in Australia in June 2013 to coincide with other relevant activity (e.g. OECD workshop on nanomaterials) as good synergy with the OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN) is envisaged.

Last update 8 April 2013

 

 

• Kookana, Rai

• Boxall, Alistair
• Carazo Rojas, Elizabeth
• Chen, Wenlin
• Dawson, Kenneth
• Gan, Jay
• Kah, Mélanie
• Kleter, Gijs
• Kneuer, Carsten
• Kumar, J.
• Linders, B. H.
• Parker, Ronald
• Racke, Kenneth
• Rebelo, Rafaela
• Reeves, Phil
• Shakil, Najam
• Sinclair, Chris
• Tanaka, Keiji
• Unsworth, John
• Yates, Scott