Readings

Schierow, L.J., and E.H. Buck. Endocrine Disruption: An Introduction. 2001.
Environmental Working Group. The English Patients: Human Experiments and Pesticide Policy. no date.
New York Times articles, “Congress Calls for Strict Rules on Pesticide Testing of Humans” (7/28/05) and “Limits Sought on Testing for Pesticides” (6/30/05).
EPA website, Protection for Human Test Subjects, accessed 1/17/06.
Logomasini, A. Deploy DDT to fight malaria. CEI. 2002.
Repeto, R., and Baliga, S.S. Pesticides and the Immune System: The Public Health Risks, pp. 6-7. 1996.
Reeves, M. et al. Fields of Poison 2002. California Farmworkers and Pesticides. Executive Summary.
Environmental Working Group website. “Skin Deep,” accessed 1/17/06.
The Organic Center. Minimizing Pesticide Dietary Exposure Through Consumption of Organic Foods. May 2004.
CropLife America. CropLife Predicts FQPA Lawsuits Will Flood EPA.11/22/05.

Key Questions

Endocrine Disruption: An Introduction

What are endocrine disruptors?
Why is the topic of endocrine disruptors controversial?
What has been the response of the US Government to the debate on endocrine disruptors?

The English Patients

Does EPA require the pesticide industry to test their products on human subjects?
What is the agency (EPA) policy on tests on human subjects? How has it evolved over time?
Why is the industry advocating such tests?
Do results from such tests influence the traditional tolerance setting mechanisms of the EPA?
What are the drawbacks of using human subjects?
What is “The Common Rule?"
What is meant by informed consent?
Do the tests involving human subjects conducted by pesticide industry have IRB approval?
What are the indicators of the IRB system not meeting the purpose for which it was designed?
Does the EPA fund research on human subjects?

California Farmworkers and Pesticides

How do the authors analyze the declining number of pesticide-related illness cases?
Which crop and agriculture related activity account for the highest number of acute pesticide poisoning of farm workers?
Which are the major routes through which the farm workers are exposed to pesticides?
How significant have regulations been in protecting farm workers from risks of pesticide exposure?
What are the common violations of regulations by farm operators which adversely affect farm worker safety?
How proactive have the offices of the County Agricultural Commissioners been in enforcing farm worker protection regulations?
What are the recommendations by the authors for achieving better health standards?