Aim: To estimate the number and weight of pesticides used in New Zealand agriculture that are classified as known or suspected human carcinogens.
Methods: The yearly usage of active ingredients was extracted from the most recent (2005) report on pesticide use. For each active ingredient, the carcinogenicity classification of three regulatory agencies (New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority [EPA NZ], US Environmental Protection Agency, European Chemicals Agency) was extracted. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monograph Programme's classifications were also considered. Total tonnes of active ingredients were calculated according to each classification.
Results: None of the pesticides are classified as known human carcinogens. In total, 56 active ingredients are listed as suspected carcinogens by at least one of the four agencies, including 16 high-use ingredients, representing up to 51% of the total yearly quantity. Agency-specific estimates ranged between 4-26% (148-872 tonnes) with the EPA NZ classification yielding the lowest estimate. The suspected carcinogen weight was highest for fungicides (estimates based on the three regulatory agencies ranged between 72-540 tonnes), followed by herbicides (60-200 tonnes) and insecticides (16 tonnes).
Conclusions: New Zealand's use of pesticides that are suspected carcinogens is high. Efforts to increase awareness and reduce exposure need to be considered.