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Utilization of Dichlorvos and Trichlorfon in Salmonid Farming in Norway during 1981–1988

Forbruk av dichlorvos og trichlorfon i norsk fiskeoppdrettsnæring i perioden 1981–1988

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica volume 32, pages 1–7 (1991)Cite this article

Abstract

The main objectives of this investigation were to quantify the use of dichlorvos and trichlorfon in the treatment of salmon lice infestations, to evaluate the prescribing of these drugs, and to estimate possible changes in the salmon lice problem by use of drug statistics. This study has shown that the use of trichlorfon increased from 4.9 tons in 1981 to 28.3 tons in 1985. This figure declined to 3.2 tons in 1988. The use of dichlorvos increased from 0.3 tons in 1986 to 3.2 tons in 1988. The change in the prescribing from trichlorfon to dichlorvos has dramatically reduced the pollution caused by these substances in the marine environment. Moreover, if necessary safety rules are observed, this change reduces the exposure of the workers on fish farms to these drugs, and also reduces the possibilities of intoxications of the fish during the treatment procedure. The sales figures of dichlorvos and trichlorfon, related to the calculated biomass of farmed salmonids in the sea, indicate a dramatic increase in the salmon lice problem.

Sammendrag

Målet med denne undersøkelsen var å kartlegge forbruket og å evaluere forskrivningen av dichlorvos og trichlorfon til behandling mot lakselus-angrep i perioden 1981–1988. Videre var det ønskelig å estimere mulige endringer i lakselusproblemet i den samme perioden ved hjelp av disse forbrukstallene. Denne undersøkelsen viser at forbruket av trichlorfon økte fra 4,9 tonn i 1981 til 28,3 tonn i 1985 for så å reduceres til 3,2 tonn i 1988. Forbruket av dichlorvos økte fra 0,3 tonn i 1986 til 3,2 tonn i 1988. Denne forandringen i forskrivningsmønsteret har medført en dramatisk reduksjon i forurensningen av det marine miljøet med denne legemiddelgruppen. Så sant sikkerhetsregler blir etterlevet vil denne endringen i legemiddelvalg redusere yrkesmessig eksponering av disse stoffene. Den vil dessuten redusere faren for forgiftninger hos fisken. Salgstallene for dichlorvos og trichlorfon indikerer en dramatisk økning i lakselusproblemet i Norge.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine and Norwegian Medicinal Depot, P. O. Box 8146, Dep., N-0033, Oslo 1, Norway

    K. Grave, M. Engelstad & N. E. Søli

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  1. K. Grave
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  2. M. Engelstad
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  3. N. E. Søli
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Grave, K., Engelstad, M. & Søli, N.E. Utilization of Dichlorvos and Trichlorfon in Salmonid Farming in Norway during 1981–1988. Acta Vet Scand 32, 1–7 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03546991

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Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

ISSN: 1751-0147