Syngenta Thrive - 2Q/2013 - 18

“As toxicologists, we know that even a
substance as common as table salt can
be deadly if too much is consumed. The
secret to determining whether or not a
substance presents a risk is really the
amount of exposure.”
—TIM PASTOOR

contemporary American environmental movement was launched. This movement suggested
that man-made chemicals affect humans
negatively. However, Logomasini notes in her
report that today “people are living longer and
healthier lives, cancer rates have declined even
as chemical use has increased and chemicals
are not among the key causes of cancer.”
The unsurpassed productivity of modern
agriculture experienced around the world is
largely due to a broad range of technologies
adopted since the 1960s. As the world
population increases, the challenge will be
for agriculture to keep the innovation machine
going for the next five decades.
“Global regulatory standards are becoming
less about public health,” Logomasini says.
“Some go beyond a balanced review and are
fueled by a fear of technology.”
She cites a 2007 study conducted by Jerry
Cooper and Hans Dobson of the University of

No-till farming helps save
precious top soil.

150

million tons of
top soil stay on
the land every
year with conservation tillage

16 · thrive · 2Q/13

Greenwich that found negative pesticide
stories in the media outnumber positive stories
by a ratio of 40:1. Yet in the same study, they
report a wide range of social, economic and
environmental benefits from responsible use
of pesticides.
“We need to balance values, be more
pro-technology and support innovation—have
a transparent scientific process that fosters fair
evaluation and considers the benefits along
with potential risks,” Logomasini concludes.
Quantifying Safety
At what point does a substance pose a safety
concern? How much is too much?
“As toxicologists, we know that even a
substance as common as table salt can be
deadly if too much is consumed,” says Tim
Pastoor, Ph.D., toxicologist and Syngenta
principal scientist. “The secret to determining
whether or not a substance presents a risk is
really the amount of exposure. A bit of salt on
your food is OK, but a lot is not good for your
health, and a vanishingly small amount will not
likely affect you.”
The same is true for other substances, and
Pastoor is quick to point out that just because
scientists can measure something doesn’t
mean it’s harmful. “The sensitive equipment
available today can measure one grain of table
salt dissolved in 50 gallons of water,” he says.
The regulatory framework in the U.S. for
technologies of all kinds, including pesticides,
is extremely protective and rigorous. For
example, Pastoor says the standard in the
Food Quality Protection Act, which covers
pesticide use, is “reasonable certainty of no
harm.” It’s inherently difficult to prove a
negative, so historically the process has been
determining at what concentration a substance
can be shown to trigger no effect, then
applying a standard that is many times less,

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Syngenta Thrive - 2Q/2013

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