Other chemicals could be worse than endosulfan

The pesticide regulator is being warned against banning the controversial chemical endosulfan.

Endosulfan is used in northern Australia to control insect pests in horticulture, but it is also linked to human health problems.

The national pesticide regulator, the APVMA, is reviewing endosulfan after an international committee voted to investigate its dangers.

But Professor Ivan Kennedy, from the University of Sydney, says a ban could cause problems.

"Ive spoken to some chemical companies about possible candidates to replace endosulfan where it is used, and its not that clear what the replacements would be," he says.

"The danger is that they would therefore need to use higher levels of other chemicals which could actually be worse as far as the environment and human health is concerned."

The National Toxics Network say endosulfan poses unnecessary health risks and Australia should follow other countries in banning its use.