Toxicity of pesticides to man: risks from present levels

As background for the evaluation of safety undertaken in this paper, I propose to review: (a) evidence that all modalities of toxicity exhibit a dosage-response relationship, and (b) the quantitative importance of factors which are known to influence toxicity. It is only through an appreciation of the critical importance of the dosage-response relationship, and thorough knowledge of the limited degree of difference which may be produced by various factors when the dosage is constant, th at we can have assurance of the safety of any pesticide, drug, food, or other chemical when used under specified conditions. Control of dosage is the basis of all safety in the use of chemicals. This rule applies not only to compounds of relatively high toxicity but also to compounds of low toxicity including those necessary to life. Babies have been killed by putting salt in their formula in place of sugar (Finberg et al. 1963), and it is said th at the ancient Chinese carried out executions using water as a toxicant. On the other hand, all of us tolerate traces of arsenic, lead, and mercury (Monier-Williams 1949) which are naturally occurring elements widely distributed in food and water. They are found in marine fish and in undeveloped areas where they have no use in industry or as pesticides.