1,3-Dichloropropene, the main ingredient of Telone II®1, was introduced as a commercial fumigant in 1955 (Berry et al. 1980). A preparation containing 1,3-dichloropropene and 1,2-dichloropropane was subsequently marketed under the name D-D®1 (Maddy et al. 1982, Parker et al. 1982). According to Parker et al. (1982) and Thompson (1983), there are presently at least seven commercial preparations of fumigant containing 1,3-dichloropropene (Table I).
Fresh citrus fruit is a most appealing and healthful food that many people pay a premium to enjoy. Most consumers take for granted the availability of fresh, high quality grapefruit, oranges, and specialty fruits. The per capita consumption of fresh citrus fruit in the United States in 1983 was 14.4 kg (Florida Crop and Livestock Reporting Service 1984)
The study of the effects of chemical pollution on wildlife basically straddles three scientific disciplines: chemistry, ecology and zoology. The research chemist must elaborate systems for detecting and precise quantifying of the different compounds found in the tissues of living organisms, and must study those properties of such compounds which explain the basic processes of transfer and accumulation in the ecosystem. The ecologist must put this data together with his own knowledge of the dynamic processes which regulates the ecosystem, both on a general level (movements of air and water masses), and on a particular one (trophic chains, migrations, etc.). Finally, the zoologist must bring his knowledge to bear on the biology of the species which are to be studied, in order that the results maybe correctly evaluated and not biased by the particular characteristics of the animals sampled (physiological or reproductive state, age, etc.).
Insects, among other biological agents like fungi, bacteria, and rodents, attack stored grains leading to losses in quantity and quality. On a worldwide basis 13 million tons of stored food grains are lost annually to insect deprations (Hall 1970). In the United States a USDA report (Anon. 1981) estimated annual storage losses of corn, wheat, barley, sorghum, and oats due to insects during 1950–1960 to be about 324.50 million bushels; the annual monetary loss during the same period being approximately $454 million. Therefore, reduction of loss and deterioration of stored grains by insects is necessary for maximum utilization of the food commodity.
produced or distributed in large quantity
To effectively protect plants and animals from insect damages, better and safer insecticides are needed. During the past four decades, many new insecticides were developed from known toxic structures, i.e. organochlorine, organophos- phorus, carbamate, and pyrethroid insecticides, but few attractive newer structures have been discovered. After carefully studying the screening methods, a possible reason is that the present methods are good for selecting practical insecticides from known structures but not refined enough to uncover the intrinsic toxicity of newer structures.
“The behavior (or activities) of an organism represents the final integrated result of a diversity of biochemical and physiological processes. Thus, a single behavioral parameter is generally more comprehensive than a physiological or biochemical parameter.
Public awareness of the presence of unwanted chemicals in the environment led to the passage of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA; Public Law 94-469) in 1976, and has resulted in pressure to define ever more clearly the fate and effects of environmental chemicals. In its second report to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the TSCA Interagency Testing Committee (1978) recommended that aryl phospates, among various other chemicals, be given priority consideration for the promulgation of test rules under section 4(a) of TSCA. As defined by the Interagency Testing Committee, aryl phosphates are triaryl or mixed tri-alkyl/aryl esters of phosphoric acid having one or more aryl substituents. Trialkyl phosphates and phosphates and phosphate triesters containing halogens, nitrogen, or sulfur are excluded from this category. Aryl phosphates were recommended because of possible bioconcentration, environmental effects and exposure.
The cyanobacteria or blue-green algae (BGA) are the group of microorganisms having an oxygen-evolving photosynthetic system. Many genera are aerobic nitrogen-fixers and some others also are known to grow on molecular nitrogen in the anaerobic and symbiotic state. The combination of an oxygen-evolving photosynthesis with the oxygen-sensitive nitrogen-fixing system is rare among the microbes. In addition, they have the ability to invade otherwise uninhabitable sections of the environment, namely, hot springs, icelands, volcanic soil, and sewage wherein the combined-nitrogen content either is absent or the temperature is in either of the extremes or a variety of natural or artificial chemicals is present. The cyanobacteria have a role in binding the soil particles and also add nitrogenous compounds to the soil. The global combined nitrogen of cyanobacteria both free-living and symbiotic forms (Azolla, Cycas, etc.) is important today when we think of the protein demand of the developing countries tomorrow. Thus, study of the abundance of cyanobacteria in natural ecosystems and rice fields (where they grow mostly in tropical climates) is important.
Interlaboratory studies of analytical methods for residues of pesticides in foods may be of several types. Laboratories may each use exactly the same procedure on aliquots of the same homogeneous gross sample (sub-samples having been sent to each); these are termed collaborative studies. Secondly, laboratories may use their own routine procedure on aliquots of the same homogeneous gross sample (sub-samples having been sent to each); these are termed cooperative or checksample studies. Thirdly, laboratories may use several procedures on samples of their own and report “in-house” comparisons, termed assessments. Definitions of types of interlaboratory studies in the context of residues methods have been discussed in depth by Burke (1979).
After completing the manuscript of our first review published in “Residue Reviews” 68, pp. 59ff. (1977) newer fundamental papers dealing with lindane and polychlorobenzene and -phenol metabolism came to our attention. The results derived from them and a few other papers published in 1972–1977 will be discussed in this present review.
