Analysis of the Risks and Benefits of Seven Chemicals Used for Subterranean Termite Control

摘要

The paper responds to the concerns expressed in the General Accounting Office (GAO) report, 'Need for a Formal Risk/Benefit Review of the Pesticide Chlordane.' The GAO summarized its investigation of the adequacy of the EPA's regulation of pesticides used in and around the home. The GAO report concluded that the EPA should conduct a Rebuttable Presumption Against Registration (RPAR) review of chlordane to determine whether the potential risk of the termite use outweighs the benefits of this use. EPA responded to the GAO report stating that an RPAR review of chlordane would not be the best approach to the problem. The EPA proposed a comparative risk/benefit analysis of the termiticides as a cluster. The paper summarizes the data on the health effects and human exposure associated with the seven termiticides (Chlordane, Heptachlor, Aldrin, Dieldrin, Lindane, Pentachlorophenol and Chlorpyrifos).