On 23.12.20 ISPRA published its 2020 report on pesticides in water in Italy. 299 agrotoxic were detected in 77,3% of surface waters and 32,2% of deep waters. At concentrations that often exceed the so-called 'safety thresholds' admitted up to now (1,2).
'The measured concentrations are typically fractions of μg / L (parts per billion), but the harmful effects of the substances can occur even at very low concentrations.' (ISPRA).
The National Action Plan on Pesticides (PAN) is the tool designed to mitigate the chemical contamination of ecosystems. (3) But the (ir) responsible authorities continue to omit the dutiful official acts. (4)
ISPRA, data on pesticides in water
ISPRA collected data on 16.962 samples taken in 4.775 monitoring points, of which 1.980 on surface water and 2.795 in groundwater. Asymmetric multi-residual analyzes on the various territories revealed the presence of 299 substances out of the 426 investigated overall.
Fuori controllo 21% of surface waters (415 monitoring points) and 5,2% of underground waters (146 points), where the concentrations of agrotoxicants were found to be higher than environmental limits. The most common substances beyond the permitted thresholds are:
- in surface waters, herbicides (glyphosate and its metabolite AMPA, as well as metolachlor), fungicides (dimethomorph and azoxystrobin),
– in groundwater, still glyphosate and AMPA, bentazone, but also the metabolites atrazine (banned for three decades now), desethyl and desisopropyl. In addition to the fungicides triadimenol, oxadixil and metalaxyl. (5)
Contamination on the rise, uncertainties
The contaminations increased between 2009 and 2018. 'In surface waters the percentage of points with the presence of pesticides has increased by about 25%, in underground waters by about 15%'. (6) ISPRA also attributes this phenomenon to the greater extension of the withdrawal points. However, it underlines how the report is based on the information received from the Regions and Autonomous Provinces, in relation to surveys on the territory and laboratory analyzes conducted by the respective Agencies (regional and provincial) for environmental protection.
The uncertainties derive from the important inhomogeneities' that 'they do not easily allow a direct comparison between different territorial areas. In fact, there are significant differences in the density of the monitoring network, in the performance of the laboratories that often operate with different analytical capacities. Finally, the number of substances sought varies considerably from region to region. '
Poisons in the Po Valley, and beyond
The Po-Venetian plain turns out to be the area with the most poisons in the waters. 'This depends not only on the intense activities in agriculture and the particular hydrological situation of the area, but also on the fact that the surveys are generally more effective in the northern regions.(6)
The asymmetry The quality of the investigations and the analytical skills may also have led to an underestimation of the dangers in other Regions and autonomous provinces, we read between the lines of ISPRA. And in any case, 'even in areas where not previously highlighted, there is now a significant presence of pesticides in the water. ' (6)
Effect cocktail
'The data highlights, as in the past, the presence of mixtures in the waters; with an average number of 4 substances and a maximum of 56 substances in a single sample. It must therefore be taken into account that humans, like other organisms, are often exposed to mixtures of chemical substances whose composition is not known and, therefore, the risk cannot be assessed. ' (6)
THEeffect cocktail - namely the impact of mix of active ingredients and other substances used in the production of agro-toxicants - has so far been largely neglected by regulatory authorities. The European Commission was condemned by the EU Court, for unacceptable delays in the identification of endocrine disruptors among which glyphosate is included. (7) And the risk analysis conducted by EFSA on multiple exposure to these substances, as we have seen, is still incomplete (8,9,10).
Power of choice
The 'mainstream media' on the hypothetical 'sustainability' of the integrated struggle in agriculture, once again, is disproved by the data. The consumption of agrotoxins in Italy is at least 1,6 times higher than the EU average, 12 times as much in Veneto. And the effect comes from pesticides, already extensively proven by science, finds further confirmation in the ISPRA report under examination.
The conversion to organic it is the only hope of salvation, for the agri-food economy of Italy and its districts as well as for the health of those who live there, and of the generations to come. We all have the power to choose, through the 'vote with the wallet' in our daily shopping. Demand affects supply more than any other factor. And it is only by choosing organic food, all the better if you give short supply chain, which can reverse the course of poisons rising in our waters.
Dario Dongo
Footnotes
(1) ISPRA (2020). National report on pesticides in water. Data 2017 - 2018. ISPRA, 334/2020 reports.
ISBN: 978-88-448-0986-7. https://www.isprambiente.gov.it/files2020/pubblicazioni/rapporti/rapporto_334_2020.pdf
(2) Dario Dongo. Glyphosate damages the microbiome even at the doses allowed in the EU. Scientific study and application for renewal of authorization. GIFTS (Great Italian Food Trade). 15.12.19/XNUMX/XNUMX,
https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/sicurezza/il-glifosato-danneggia-il-microbioma-anche-alle-dosi-ammesse-in-ue-studio-scientifico-e-domanda-di-rinnovo-autorizzazione
(3) Dario Dongo. The danger of Peter PAN. Egalité. 5.10.19, https://www.egalite.org/pesticidi-il-pericolo-di-peter-pan/
(4) See Directive 2009/128 / EC
(5) Dario Dongo, Giulia Torre. Metalaxyl-M, Brussels renews the authorization for the poisonous fungicide for 15 years. GIFTS (Great Italian Food Trade). 15.5.20/XNUMX/XNUMX, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/mercati/metalaxyl-m-bruxelles-rinnova-di-15-anni-l-autorizzazione-al-fungicida-venefico
(6) ISPRA, press release 23.12.20
(7) Dario Dongo. Endocrine disruptors, consultation in Brussels. GIFTS (Great Italian Food Trade). 7.7.19/XNUMX/XNUMX, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/sicurezza/interferenti-endocrini-consultazione-a-bruxelles
(8) Alberto Mantovani. Toxic cocktails? Risk assessment of multiple exposures to endocrine disruptors. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 28.9.20/XNUMX/XNUMX, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/sicurezza/cocktail-tossici-valutazione-del-rischio-delle-esposizioni-multiple-a-interferenti-endocrini
(9) Marta Strinati. Pesticide cocktails cause toxicity, even at the doses allowed in the EU. New study. GIFTS (Great Italian Food Trade). 24.10.20/XNUMX/XNUMX, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/sicurezza/i-cocktail-di-pesticidi-causano-tossicità-anche-alle-dosi-ammesse-in-ue-nuovo-studio
(10) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. Glyphosate, endocrine disruption and tumors. New evidence. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 20.11.20/XNUMX/XNUMX, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/sicurezza/glifosato-interferenza-endocrina-e-tumori-nuove-evidenze
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
