Environmental risk Assessment of registered insecticids in Iran

Insecticides are one of the most important pesticides applied in Iran and، during the last two decades، have accounted for about 50 percent of pesticide usage. However، the negative impacts of insecticide have resulted in several environmental problems and placed human health in danger. In this study، the environmental impacts of registered insecticides in Iran were evaluated using the environmental impact quotient (EIQ). EIQ has three major variables، namely the farm worker، consumer and ecology for which the final score is the average of these variables. Following this، insecticides were classified according to the International Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) classification and the results for each class were analyzed. Results show that، potentially، classes 2 and 6 (based on EIQ scores) are the most hazardous and Imidacloprid، which is classified in group 4، received the highest EIQ score. Considering the active ingredients of registered insecticide، EIQ scores، and their rates of application in Iran during 2000-05، the EIQfield which demonstrates practical hazards was calculated. According to this، classes 2، 1 and 4 are، respectively، the most hazardous insecticides. Therefore، it seems that it is vital to find an alternative for Imidacloprid. Considering the environmental impacts of pesticides and their mode of action simultaneously could be a valuable approach in order to achieve sustainable pest management in sustainable agriculture.