Pesticides,
fully authorised by the relevant authorities, and used in recommended amounts
can lead to mortality rates of up to 100 percent on amphibians according to a
new study in Germany.
January 2013. A recent study has revealed that even the use of the recommended
amount of agrochemicals can lead to mortality rates of 20 to 100 percent in
common frogs (Rana temporaria). The study tested the risk of seven different
chemicals; fungicides, herbicides and insecticides, and all were found to be
damaging or lethal to frogs. However, the chemicals are still allowed because
the testing methods did not check their effects on amphibians. The study was
commissioned by the Federal Environment Agency and conducted by the Institute
of Environmental Sciences Landau at the University of Koblenz-Landau.
"It's hard
to comprehend that the pesticides have gone through the current authorization
process but are still a direct threat to amphibians," said Carsten Brühl,
who led the study. "Our laboratory tests show the effect on fully formed
frogs, rather than tadpoles".
The tests that
were conducted on these chemicals were undertaken on amphibians in the aquatic
habitat, and mostly on tadpoles. The serious effects that are found mostly
effect the land-based frog and toad populations were not taken into account.
The moist skin
of frogs absorb pesticides in large quantities
Amphibians are the most threatened vertebrates worldwide. Possible causes of the decline of amphibians worldwide are thought to be competition with invasive species, increased ultraviolet radiation, global warming, infectious diseases and the loss of habitat. However, the impact of pesticides has not previously been suspected. This is because the evaluation of possible effects of pesticides had been inadequately tested and was not part of the authorization procedure for agrochemical products. Currently, only the effects on birds and mammals and aquatic organisms are tested.
Amphibians are the most threatened vertebrates worldwide. Possible causes of the decline of amphibians worldwide are thought to be competition with invasive species, increased ultraviolet radiation, global warming, infectious diseases and the loss of habitat. However, the impact of pesticides has not previously been suspected. This is because the evaluation of possible effects of pesticides had been inadequately tested and was not part of the authorization procedure for agrochemical products. Currently, only the effects on birds and mammals and aquatic organisms are tested.
Dangerous to
birds and mammals
Even in birds and mammals, there has long been a discussion of whether pesticides are absorbed through the skin and how big the consequent risk is. The moist skin of frogs absorbs substances in much greater quantities, as it is in direct contact with the environment. So the danger of so-called dermal exposure is high.
Even in birds and mammals, there has long been a discussion of whether pesticides are absorbed through the skin and how big the consequent risk is. The moist skin of frogs absorbs substances in much greater quantities, as it is in direct contact with the environment. So the danger of so-called dermal exposure is high.
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