Plant Protection Products

Health risk assessment of the pesticide Proman with the active compound metobromuron

Commissioned:

Report no: 2015: 03

Published: 23.01.2015

Key message:

The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety (VKM) has on request by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority conducted a risk assessment of the pesticide Proman with the active substance metobromuron. VKM concludes that it is likely that carcinogenic properties observed in rats are relevant for humans.

Proman is a new pesticide in Norway intended for use as weed agent for outdoor cultivated potatoes. Proman contains the active substance metobromuron.

May have hormone disruptive properties

Studies in rats have shown that exposure to metobromuron increases the risk of mammary gland and Leydig cell tumors. These tumors are found in hormone responsive tissues. VKM is of the opinion that the carcinogenic effects observed in rats are relevant to humans.

Determination of acceptable daily intake (ADI) Studies show delayed ossification of breast bones and loss of ossification of ribs in rats exposed to metobromuron. VKM concludes that this should be considered as variations and not as malformations. On the other hand, VKM agrees with European Chemical Association (ECHA) that the “thoracic vertebral centres still dumbbell-shaped” should be considered as malformations, and thus taken into account when setting ADI.

VKM’s Panel on Plant Protection Products has conducted the risk assessment.

The risk assessment was published 23 January 2014.

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Vitenskapskomiteen for mat og miljø

The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment

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