Investigation of the safety of industrial strains of microorganisms and microbial insecticides.

Toxicology-hygienic studies of insecticidal preparations produced on the basis of fungi of the species Beauveria bassiana and bacteria of the species Bac. thuringiensis, recommended for use in plant-growing, were carried out. It has been established that the industrial strains of entomopathogenic microorganisms and insecticidal preparations produced on the basis of these microorganisms are harmless in the epidemiological sense and of low toxicity, but they may have a sensitizing effect on the human organism. On the grounds of results of toxicological experiments and hygienic observations in the field it has been concluded that prophylactic measures in the production and application of microbial insecticides should be aimed at restricting the contact of people with entomopathogenic microorganisms and preparations produced on their basis.