Presentation to the National Pesticides and Drinking Water Action Group

1. NPDWAG Meeting
February 22, 2021

2. Aims of Project
PEST-MAN aims to:
(1) understand the drivers and pressures for the use of pesticides in
the environment
(2) examine their fate and persistence
(3) evaluate any potential impact and risks to the environment and
human health
(4) develop a low-cost, passive, in-situ method to remediate pesticides
in the environment, and
(5) disseminate knowledge and engage stakeholders and the general
public

3. Methodological Framework
Source
Pathway
Receptor
Objective:
• To identify pesticides of
concern for human health
• To elucidate the pressures
and drivers for pesticide
use in Ireland
• To identify pesticides for
examination in this study
Objective:
• Ascertain the effect of the soil
environment on pesticide
persistence
• Identify the influence of
pesticides on soil quality, incl.
microbial diversity
Objective:
• Identification of appropriate
media for pesticide
adsorption and design of
passive treatment units at lab
and field-scale
• Health risk assessment of
impacted populations and
quantification of reduction in
risk arising from our
interventions
WP 1
WP 2
WP 3

4. Methodological Framework
Source
Objective:
• To identify pesticides of
concern for human health
• To elucidate the pressures
and drivers for pesticide
use in Ireland
• To identify pesticides for
examination in this study
WP 1

5. F = Fungicide, H = Herbicide, I = Insecticide, GR = Growth Regulator
# Ingredient Type Treated area
(ha)
%
1 Chlorothalonil F 197,113 19
2 Chlormequat GR 171,519 16
3 Glyphosate H 112,340 11
4 Isoproturan H 105,122 10
5 Fenpropimorph F 48,936 5
6 Prothiconazole F 40,924 4
7 Mancozeb F 30,238 3
8 Propamocarb hydrochloride F 19,902 2
9 Fluroxypyr H 19,227 2
10 Pyraclostrobin F 16,397 2
Arable land (2016)1
As kg
WP1: Pesticide use in Ireland
# Ingredient Type Treated area
(ha)
%
1 MCPA H 127,060 25
2 Glyphosate H 124,229 24
3 2,4-DB H 48,156 9
4 Triclopyr H 33,915 7
5 2,4-D H 33,178 6
6 Fluroxypyr H 32,534 6
7 Pendimethalin H 21,598 4
8 Metamitron H 20,517 4
9 Mecoprop-P H 13,125 3
10 Chlorothalonil F 8,959 2
Grassland and fodder crops (2017)2
As kg
1 https://www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/media/pesticides/content/sud/pesticidestatistics/ArableReport2016Final100620.pdf
2 https://www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/media/pesticides/content/sud/pesticidestatistics/2GrasslandReport2017FinalVersion290520.pdf
Banned pesticides
Measured pesticides in PestMan

6. Methodological Framework
Source
Pathway
Receptor
Objective:
• To identify pesticides of
concern for human health
• To elucidate the pressures
and drivers for pesticide
use in Ireland
• To identify pesticides for
examination in this study
Objective:
• Ascertain the effect of the soil
environment on pesticide
persistence
• Identify the influence of
pesticides on soil quality, incl.
microbial diversity
Objective:
• Identification of appropriate
media for pesticide
adsorption and design of
passive treatment units at lab
and field-scale
• Health risk assessment of
impacted populations and
quantification of reduction in
risk arising from our
interventions
WP 1
WP 2
WP 3

7. Methodological Framework
Pathway
Objective:
• Ascertain the effect of the soil
environment on pesticide
persistence
• Identify the influence of
pesticides on soil quality, incl.
microbial diversity
WP 2

8. WP2: Soil texture and pesticide adsorption
Pesticides divided into six groups, based on
chemical structure:
1. Phenylureas
2. Triazines
3. Phenoxyalkonates
4. Organophosphates
5. Nitroanilines
6. Others

9. WP2: Soil texture and pesticide adsorption
Soil texture-specific environmental risk ranking
for each group developed based on:
- Soil permeability
- Adsorbancy
- Solubility
- Half-life
Data will inform GIS-based CSA (critical
source area) model, which will identify
areas most at risk of pesticide loss.
The higher the score, the higher the risk of transmission

10. Methodological Framework
Source
Pathway
Receptor
Objective:
• To identify pesticides of
concern for human health
• To elucidate the pressures
and drivers for pesticide
use in Ireland
• To identify pesticides for
examination in this study
Objective:
• Ascertain the effect of the soil
environment on pesticide
persistence
• Identify the influence of
pesticides on soil quality, incl.
microbial diversity
Objective:
• Identification of appropriate
media for pesticide
adsorption and design of
passive treatment units at lab
and field-scale
• Health risk assessment of
impacted populations and
quantification of reduction in
risk arising from our
interventions
WP 1
WP 2
WP 3

11. Methodological Framework
Receptor
Objective:
• Identification of appropriate
media for pesticide
adsorption and design of
passive treatment units at lab
and field-scale
• Health risk assessment of
impacted populations and
quantification of reduction in
risk arising from our
interventions
WP 3

12. WP3: Receptors – response & intervention
Media examined to
date:
Peat fibre, Bottom Ash,
Fly Ash, Blast slag,
Granulated activated
carbon, four different
types of biochars
Reciprocating
shaker
Adsorption isotherms
(graph is illustrative)
Media placed in streams

13. Cregduff
Dunleer
Corduff
WP3: Receptors – response & intervention
Field analysis of pesticide loss is currently being monitored in
three catchments.
After 1 year of analysis, our designed interventions will be
placed in the catchments.

14. Twitter @PestMan_NUIG
Social media and further information
Pestman.ie
Prof Mark Healy & Dr Alma Siggins
(Project PIs)
Mark.healy@nuigalway.ie
Alma.Siggins@nuigalway.ie