15. The 1995 meeting was the first time that the traditional JMPR was incorporated into the Joint Meeting on Pesticides (JMP). Therefore the WHO group had been redesignated the WHO Toxicological and Environmental Core Assessment Group. Activities were expanded at the 1995 JMPR to include the assessment of toxicological studies in which substances are administered by the dermal route and by inhalation and several pesticides underwent environmental assessment. Issues relevant to the establishment of drinking-water quality guidelines for several pesticides were highlighted. In an attempt to contribute to the process of assessing risks from different sources, the Meeting had tabulated the relevant data for each pesticide in a format designed to draw attention to the crucial toxicological results relevant to human exposure.
16. Data requirements for estimating ADIs and MRLs were described. An extensive list of studies was presented, which was quite specific relating to the toxicological assessments. The information was divided into two broad categories, the first being information critical to the conduct of an initial evaluation, and the second being information that may need to be developed on the basis of the initial findings. The information listed in this section is what is generally available on pesticides that have modern databases. The Meeting reconsidered previous data requirements on residues and referred to the detailed instructions on the preparation of data submissions distributed by FAO in 1994.
17. The Meeting considered the general issue of the potential acute dietary risk of pesticide residues. For the first time, Acute Reference Doses were allocated at the 1995 JMPR for some compounds.
18. The report also summarized the basis for choosing the definition of pesticide residues and listed the factors to be considered when proposing a residue definition. The JMPR approach to estimating Extraneous Residue Limits (ERLs) was described. Current and geographically representative data, which often were of limited availability, were needed for estimating ERLs.
19. MRLs at or about the limit of determination for multi-component residues were discussed and a possible approach for applying these was outlined. The Committee agreed to request government input on practical approaches applied at the national level on this problem. This information should be sent to the FAO Joint Secretary of JMPR.
20. The 1995 JMPR sought advice from the CCPR on shortening of the “Residue and analytical aspects” sections of the reports in the future. The reasons and an example were provided. There was considerable discussion on the merits of this approach, which the 1996 JMPR would take into account to best meet the needs of the CCPR and its Member countries. The timeliness of the report was seen as critical to discussion of general report items by the CCPR. Governments would be invited to comment on shortening of the report and on improving its timely availability.
