The video recording of the SPRINT presentations at the UN General Assembly Science Summit in New York on 27th September 2023 is now available to view on our YouTube channel here. The ten presentations in this session provide an overview of the preliminary results from the pesticide residue monitoring campaign. The individual presentations are listed below and accessible by clicking on the timestamps:
00:34 Violette Geissen - Pesticide residues with hazard classifications onminpresent in European environment and farmer residences
17:09 Abdallah Alloui - How is exposure to pesticides affecting plant, animal and human health? An assessment in Europe and Argentina
31:04 Daniel Figueiredo - Linking pesticide residues in indoor dust to human exposure of residents living close to conventional and organic farming
43:32 Hans Mol - Pesticides in human urine and feces: human biomonitoring to assess internal exposure to pesticides
59:25 Maaike Gerritse - Pesticides and gut health: influence on gut microbiome composition and negative impact on cells lining the gut
01:25:24 Freya Debler - Pesticide exposure by air at two agricultural sites in europe
01:35:28 Dirk Goossens - Pesticide transport by wind in sediment originating from agricultural fields
01:55:36 Peter Fantke - Human and ecological impacts of pesticides over their life cycle
02:11:53 Kayode Jegede - Risk of pesticide mixtures in the terrestrial ecosystem: effects on earthworms, springtails and bees
02:26:58 Nelson Abrantes - Impacts of realistic pesticide mixtures on freshwater ecosystems
SPRINT has just published a report and factsheet, which explore the lock-ins and barriers surrounding a transition away from reliance on synthetic pesticides.
This research highlights that progress towards reduced reliance and dependence on synthetic pesticides is hindered by an ongoing pesticide lock-in situation. There are many interrelated processes and direct barriers that mutually reinforce each other to limit or substantially slow down a wider transition away from a reliance on chemical pesticides. We have identified the key lock-in mechanisms and barriers across different dimensions including: agronomy and research, economics, knowledge, policy, regulation and cognition. While specific barriers may vary, many apply across different farming systems. The interaction of these mechanisms and barriers creates a complex situation. For example, the absence or high cost of biocontrol limits openness to non-chemical alternatives, while farmers have already invested substantial resources in mechanised pesticide applications. Furthermore, authorities rely on emergency authorisations, rather than considering alternatives like growing other crops or the redesign of farming systems due to the cost and effort involved.
Read the full report here: tinyurl.com/58bcm2n4
Read the concise factsheet here: https://t.co/vQLkzx5rkT
Do you live in or near Nijmegen, Netherlands? Radboud University, a partner in the SPRINT project, is looking for volunteers for a study on pesticides in blood, urine and feces following exposure to pesticides at an officially approved acceptable daily intake. For more information or to find out how to participate, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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SPRINT partners at the department of agroecology, Aarhus University, Denmark, are advertising for a tenure track assistant professor, or associate professor in environmental soil physics. Special emphasis will be on soil functions, soil ecosystem services, soil health with focus on how to improve the soil quality, and further transport and fate of pesticides and other environmental contaminants in soil.
The deadline for applications is Nov 21st. For more information, see the advert here.
The SPRINT team were recently lucky enough to visit the Saint Emilion region of Bordeaux, France, where we learnt about how winegrowers here are prioritising the environment through mandatory certification.
Since February 2023, growers who wish to use the reputable ‘Saint Emilion’ name on their wine have to take part in a certification process which proves that they are meeting certain environmental standards. This system is tiered, with growers able to pick which accreditations they would like to follow. Once they either reach level 2 or become fully organic, they are then able to use the prestigious name, thus making their wine more attractive to customers.
In addition, there are 6 pillars involved in the Saint-Emilion environmental approach, each of which affect, or are affected by, pesticides:
- Soil biodiversity
- Biocontrol
- Living landscapes
- Water use and quality
- Climate change
- Human intervention
Read more about the vines of Saint-Emilion here.
