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http://www.flora.org/healthyottawa/HRSS-CHOsubmissionOct05.doc

Imidacloprid Facts – all about the grub-killer “Merit”

* Imidacloprid is a chlorinated nicotinoid compound, that affects the nervous system.
* Imidacloprid is very toxic to earth worms and bees and is restricted in France because of plummeting bee populations.
* Imidacloprid kills parasitic wasps that control grub larvae. This is counter-productive, setting the stage for repeated, more extensive infestations.
* Imidacloprid is applied to seeds because it acts as a bird repellent. Birds such as starlings and robins eat very large numbers of grubs. Repelling this important natural control would be counter-productive.
* The label stipulates that food crops cannot be planted for a year after imidacloprid application. Thus, two growing seasons would have elapsed before harvest. It is not being proposed that our children be afforded the protection of two growing seasons before exposure to turf that has been treated with imidacloprid.
* Breakdown of imidacloprid in the environment is very complex and slow, and some degradation products are more toxic than the parent compound. Thus, the possibility exists that soil will become more toxic rather than less toxic with the passage of time. This may not happen if sufficient pesticide was washed away, but pollution of our water is not a desirable outcome either.
* The New York State Department is concerned that imidacloprid is found in an “increasing number of detections in private homeowner wells”
* (http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/insect-mite/fenitrothion-methylpara/imidacloprid/imidacloprid_let_1004.html)
* Imidacloprid is extremely long-lasting. It has a half-life up to 730 days, yet is approved for annual applications. It has been observed to build up over the years, in agricultural application.
* Constant exposure to pesticides fosters pesticide resistance. Resistance to imidacloprid has appeared within as little as 2 years. Insecticides should be reserved for when they are badly needed to protect public health.
* Imidacloprid degrades into toxic, persistent, 2-chloropyridine. This was not considered in the federal assessment.
* Inert ingredients / contaminants of the imidacloprid product “Merit” have been reported to include the carcinogens naphthalene and crystalline silica. (http://www.pan-uk.org/pestnews/Actives/imidaclo.htm)
* Historically, imidacloprid was granted at least three temporary registrations by the PMRA, in spite of missing environmental fate data.
* Commissioner for the Environment, Johanne Gélinas, has repeatedly criticised the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) for granting temporary registrations when important data is lacking. (http://www.flora.org/healthyottawa/pmra-fs-6.htm)
* As of April 2005, the PMRA fully registered two commercial insecticides containing Imidacloprid: Merit Solupack Insecticide (Reg. No. 25932) and Merit 0.5 G insecticide (Reg. No. 25933), which have expiry dates of December 31, 2010. The PMRA still does not have complete environmental fate data.

Health Effects of Pesticides
Acute effects of pesticide exposure range from irritation of the nose, eyes and throat, burning, itching and rashes, to difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, headaches and general malaise2. In the longer term, scientific studies reveal links between pesticide exposure and higher risk of leukemia3, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma4, soft tissue sarcomas5, neuroblastoma6 and prostate cancer.7 Children are particularly susceptible to harm from pesticides, even before birth and possibly before conception.8 Pesticides may cause birth defects,9 developmental delays, hyperactivity, behavioural disorders, motor dysfunction, 10 nervous system disruption11 and immunotoxicity12. These translate into cancer, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, Parkinson’s disease, autism and attention deficits, lower IQ and hypothyroidism. Harm from pesticides is responsible for high social and monetary costs.13