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Making an impact with pesticide assessments
March 15, 2005With over two million tons of pesticides used annually worldwide, from 900 active ingredients, the human health and environmental risks are high. Making data from so many products used in so many environments more widely available online is helping risk assessors work out what action to take.
Finding a uniform means of assessment has, in the past, always come up against a major obstacle - the huge variation in database technologies, types and quality of data, and the different bodies maintaining that data across Europe. Partners in the IST project GIMMI aimed to find a means of overcoming such wide disparities in data and data quality, and to develop a way of making such data more widely available.
In effect, GIMMI planned to bridge the gap in pesticide impact assessment between the data providers (soil, meteorology, agronomy, pesticides), the scientists (chemists, geologists, modellers) and end-users such as government bodies, public administrations and the pesticide manufacturing industry.
What the project partners have done is to develop a Web and WAP-interfaced Geographical Information System (GIS) method of making agronomic data available to users (other than the data owner) across Europe. By using the GIMMI website, a public administration in the UK for example can gain access to soil sample data maintained by one of the regional governments in Italy.
Improving data interoperability
"We have managed to overcome many of the problems of sharing inconsistent and poorly-structured data, and in doing so have improved the interoperability of that data," says project coordinator Matteo Villa of TXT e-Solutions in Milan. "The advantage for public data providers is that all they have to do is to maintain their data. They don't have to worry about how to extract the information - that is performed by GIMMI."
The GIMMI methodology was tested in Lombardy in northern Italy, Catalonia in Spain and in the Gulf of Guayaquil in Ecuador, regions with widely varying climates, soil types and crops. Using advanced mathematical models applied to GIS-based analysis, the GIMMI method proved capable of managing the different databases involved as well as allowing easy integration of new data, all without requiring structural modifications.
The system is now being used by one of the project partners, ERSAL - the Lombardy regional agency for agricultural development, to evaluate the risks of pesticide use within the region. "EU legislation now requires much more use of impact assessments before new agronomical practices are put into place," says Villa. "The Lombardy region is the first in Italy that is capable of meeting this legislation, and other regions are likely to follow the Lombardy example."
IST Results
What the project partners have done is to develop a Web and WAP-interfaced Geographical Information System (GIS) method of making agronomic data available to users (other than the data owner) across Europe. By using the GIMMI website, a public administration in the UK for example can gain access to soil sample data maintained by one of the regional governments in Italy.
Improving data interoperability
"We have managed to overcome many of the problems of sharing inconsistent and poorly-structured data, and in doing so have improved the interoperability of that data," says project coordinator Matteo Villa of TXT e-Solutions in Milan. "The advantage for public data providers is that all they have to do is to maintain their data. They don't have to worry about how to extract the information - that is performed by GIMMI."
The GIMMI methodology was tested in Lombardy in northern Italy, Catalonia in Spain and in the Gulf of Guayaquil in Ecuador, regions with widely varying climates, soil types and crops. Using advanced mathematical models applied to GIS-based analysis, the GIMMI method proved capable of managing the different databases involved as well as allowing easy integration of new data, all without requiring structural modifications.
The system is now being used by one of the project partners, ERSAL - the Lombardy regional agency for agricultural development, to evaluate the risks of pesticide use within the region. "EU legislation now requires much more use of impact assessments before new agronomical practices are put into place," says Villa. "The Lombardy region is the first in Italy that is capable of meeting this legislation, and other regions are likely to follow the Lombardy example."
IST Results
Pesticide Current Events and Pesticide News RSSAn inexpensive 'dipstick' test for pesticides in foods
Scientists in Canada are reporting the development of a fast, inexpensive "dipstick" test to identify small amounts of pesticides that may exist in foods and beverages.
Pesticides exposure linked to suicidal thoughts
A new study in China has found that people with higher levels of pesticide exposure are more likely to have suicidal thoughts.
Getting plants to rid themselves of pesticide residues
Scientists in China have discovered that a natural plant hormone, applied to crops, can help plants eliminate residues of certain pesticides. The study is in the current issue of ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a bi-weekly publication.
Study shows more corn for biofuels would hurt water
More of the fertilizers and pesticides used to grow corn would find their way into nearby water sources if ethanol demands lead to planting more acres in corn, according to a Purdue University study.
New computing tool could lead to better crops and pesticides say researchers
A new computing tool that could help scientists predict how plants will react to different environmental conditions in order to create better crops, such as tastier and longer lasting tomatoes, is being developed by researchers.
Getting plants to rid themselves of pesticide residues
Scientists in China are reporting the "intriguing" discovery that a natural plant hormone, applied to crops, can help plants eliminate residues of certain pesticides.
Organic weed control for dandelions
Spring and summer often find homeowners out in their yards, busily attempting to control the onslaught of dandelions in a quest for green, weed-free lawns.
Environmental effects of cold-climate strawberry farming
Strawberries are America's fifth-favorite fruit, according to consumption rates. California and Florida grow more than 95% of the nation's strawberries; an additional 12,000 acres are planted in other states.
Pesticides -- easier detection of pollution and impact in rivers
The long-term effects of pesticides on living organisms in rivers and on water quality can now be assessed more easily.
Pitt research suggests EPA pesticide exposure test too short, overlooks long term effects
The four-day testing period the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commonly uses to determine safe levels of pesticide exposure for humans and animals could fail to account for the toxins' long-term effects, University of Pittsburgh researchers report in the September edition of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
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