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WHO Pesticides Evaluation Scheme: "WHOPES"
What is WHOPES and what are WHOPES’ objectives?
The WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) was set up in 1960. WHOPES promotes and coordinates the testing and evaluation of pesticides for public health. It functions through the participation of representatives of governments, manufacturers of pesticides and pesticide application equipment, WHO Collaborating Centres and research institutions, as well as other WHO programmes, notably the International Programme on Chemical Safety.
Indoor residual spraying of insecticides
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In its present form, WHOPES comprises a four-phase evaluation and testing programme, studying the safety, efficacy and operational acceptability of public health pesticides and developing specifications for quality control and international trade.
WHOPES collects, consolidates, evaluates and disseminates information on the use of pesticides for public health. Its recommendations facilitate the registration of pesticides by Member States.
WHOPES' objectives
- to facilitate the search for alternative pesticides and application methods that are safe and cost-effective; and
- to develop and promote policies, strategies and guidelines for the selective and judicious application of pesticides for public health use, and assist and monitor their implementation by Member States.
Insecticide-treated mosquito nets
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Why is the use of pesticides for public health such an important issue?
Vector-borne diseases and those with intermediate hosts are among the major causes of illness and death in many tropical and subtropical countries. Such diseases, which include malaria, Chagas, dengue, leishmaniasis, lymphatic filariasis and African trypanosomiasis, significantly impede economic and social development. Vector control plays a key role in prevention and control of major vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue and Chagas disease and often constitutes the first line of activity in case of epidemics of vector-borne diseases. Chemical control (use of pesticides) is still the most important element in the integrated approach to vector control...
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Why quality pesticide products are essential?
Good product quality is essential for effective and safe pesticide use. Impurities formed during manufacture of the pesticide or by interaction in unstable formulations can increase product toxicity to humans and the environment. Applying products that are lower in active ingredient content than declared could result in monetary loss and application of sub-lethal dose of pesticide, leading to ineffective control and promotion of the development of resistance...
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What about the arsenal of public health pesticides?
Public health programmes are faced with a depleting arsenal of safe, efficient and cost-effective insecticides. This is mainly due to the resistance of major vectors to common insecticides which have been misused and overused in agriculture. In addition, the withdrawal or abandonment of certain pesticides for reasons of safety or high cost of re-registration has further reduced the available options...
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