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Abstract
A modified chemical ranking and scoring method entitled the CHEMS (Chemical Hazard Evaluation for Management Strategies) model was used to yield a relative weighted risk for insecticides used in the northern areas of Iran. The CHEMS model uses six toxicity and three exposure potential parameters to measure the overall hazard of a substance. The results suggest that Diazinon (granule [GR] 10%) was ranked as a high spot for release-weighted risk in this study although its relatively low risk score (RS) compared to other insecticides, which is due to its high volume consumption. The highest-priority insecticides for future action (the ones that present the highest weighted risk score [WRS]) would include Fipronil, Thiodicarb and Azinphos-methyl. Cartap identified as a hazardous insecticide regarding aquatic organisms and might threaten the natural aquatic ecosystems in these areas if continually used. Thiodicarb had the highest effect on human health. This study showed that a chemical with low RS but high environmental loading and usage and medium persistence (i.e. Cartap) can pose a low WRS. Results of the CHEMS model in this study could help guide a prospective monitoring study, thereby assisting risk managers with managing more efficiently, resources dedicated to mitigating risks posed by insecticides in the northern parts of Iran.
Acknowledgements
The project was funded by the Deputy of Research Affairs, Shahid Beheshti University (Project No. 85/600/377/885). The authors are grateful to Allison M. Dunn from Environmental Protection Branch, Canada, and Mary B. Swanson for providing beneficial comments and guiding on methodology. We also thank from the two anonymous reviewers for their critical comments. We also thank to Anna Wallace for providing editing skills.