Publications

Information Sources on Pesticides
Unsworth, J.B., Ferris, I.G., Gross, K., Klaus, P.M. and Maestroni, B.M.

Executive summary
This paper examines the information on pesticides that is available via the Internet. Most of the information will be correct but there will be instances when it is incorrect, out of date or scientifically inaccurate. It is up to the user to sieve out the poor or wrong information and to only use information that is based on sound scientific principles. This paper provides guidance on how to make the best use of extensive pesticide resources on the world-wide web (Web). This is not a comprehensive review, since the large amount of information on the Internet would preclude such an undertaking. It has not, for example, touched on the e-learning resources such as that available through the INFOCRIS system or on the reports published by IUPAC on pesticide issues which can be found on the IUPAC website. Another group of sites that are not mentioned in this paper are those hosted by the agrochemical companies and instrument manufacturers, which can also contain much useful information on their specific products. Rather the paper covers the main aspects of pesticides and their usage and points out various sites where useful information can be found on regulatory requirements, Good Laboratory Practice, experimental protocols, risk assessment and pesticide profiles. Recommendations are also provided how to improve the reliability of data and usefulness of pesticide information on the Web.