Transdisciplinary Concepts and Methods
Project website:
http://www.start-project.de/english_2.htm
Project-Flyer
Project
Management Strategies for Hormonally Active Agrochemicals (start2)
Project head:
Duration :
10/2008 – 03/2010
Project partner:
- Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Institut für Ökologie, Evolution und Diversität;
- Büro für Agrar- und Regionalentwicklung, Kassel
- Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Institut für Umweltmedizin und Krankenhaushygiene, Sektion Angewandte Umweltforschung;
- Institute for Agricultural Sociology and the Culture of Farming
Funding:
Federal Ministry of Education and Research
funding
programme Social Ecological Research
Publications
Keil F (2009): Pharmaceuticals for Human Use: An Integrated Strategy for Reducing the Contamination of Water Bodies. In: Anastas P, Kümmerer K (Ed.): Green and Sustainable Pharmacy. Springer, Heidelberg, New York (forthcoming)
Keil F, Bechmann G, Kümmerer K, Schramm E (2008): Systemic Risk Governance for Pharmaceutical Residues in Drinking Water. GAIA 17/4: 349–354
An Environmental Classification for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use in Germany ... read more
start2 – Management Strategies for Hormonally Active Agrochemicals
A minimum application of chemicals is indispensable for the protection of plants in high return-oriented agriculture. However, the use of plant protection products also carries the potential of serious hazards for humans and the environment. Of particular concern are chemicals that can interfere with an organism’s hormone system. Recent research results confirm the suspicion that there is a relationship between the increased occurrence of hormonally active chemicals in the environment and the observed rise in specific disruptions of the reproductive, nervous and immune systems in humans and animals.
A sound scientific basis for assessing the risks to humans and the environment is however still lacking. For example, organisms are exposed to a whole cocktail of chemicals in their environments. According to the current state of knowledge, it is considered probable that the endocrine effects of the substances may add here. It remains unclear how such combined effects can be taken into consideration in the risk assessment of agrochemicals. Due to this uncertain scientific basis, an evaluation of the higher legal interest in cases of doubt is always dependent on the needs, interests and values of the different stakeholders. Rigid bodies of rules cannot adequately resolve this constantly changing, conflict-laden situation.
Cooperative strategies can decisively strengthen precaution in dealing with hormonally active agrochemicals. Prerequisite for the success of such an approach is that all societal actors involved are provided with their own options for action. start2 investigates what can be achieved in the areas of “Development of plant protection products”, "Handling of agrochemicals and use of technology in agriculture”, and “Water protection”. To ensure the practical relevance of the results start2 facilitates a dialogue between representatives of agricultural practice, consultancy and administration, the chemicals industry, water management bodies, environmental and consumer associations and the Administration.
Figure: Results of a representative survey among German farmers on the issue of ‘Hormonally active agrochemicals’ (data from 2009).
The project connects both conceptually and methodically to its parent project start. In an additional start2 research focus the start results are also continued with regard to Management strategies for pharmaceuticals in the environment …read more