Eugene, OR- -Over 650 chemicals that have been identified as hazardous by federal, state, or international agencies are hiding behind the misleading word "inert" in pesticide products, according to a report released today by the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides. Worst Kept Secrets: Toxic Inert Ingredients in Pesticides [PDF 150k] documents the hazards of so-called "inert" ingredients, over 2,500 substances that are added to pesticides but are not named on product labels. Regulatory agencies have few requirements for toxicological or ecological effects testing of inerts. Despite this lack, the new report shows that over 25% of the chemicals used as "inerts" actually have been identified as hazardous.

Inerts pose a wide variety of hazards, according to the new report. Almost 400 inert ingredients are now or have been used as the active, killing ingredient in pesticides. In addition, 209 are hazardous air or water pollutants, 21 have been classified as carcinogens, and 127 are occupational hazards. Many have been identified by more than one statute or agency. For example, the "inert" ingredient naphthalene is a pesticide active ingredient, a hazardous air pollutant under the Clean Air Act, and a priority pollutant under the Clean Water Act.

"Full possession of the facts is absolutely necessary," says Holly Knight, of the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP). "These toxic chemicals cannot continue to hide. Our right to know the identity of these poisons must be honored."

NCAP's report recommends that all pesticide ingredients be fully disclosed on product labels. In addition, all health and safety testing required for pesticides should use the complete pesticide product, including all so-called "inert" ingredients

Copies of the report are available on NCAP's web page, www.pesticide.org/. Copies are also available by mail for $3.00, postpaid.

The Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides is a five-state, grassroots membership organization that promotes sustainable resource management, prevention of pest problems, use of alternatives to pesticides, and the right to be free from pesticide exposure. NCAP strives to substantially reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides as a preferred method of pest control in the Northwest and elsewhere.