Bulletin

NEWS

Thursday December 15 2011

Everyone responds differently to pesticide exposure

From page 1 ladybugs to control pests. We cant use deadly chemicals otherwise wed kill them off, said Mr Maack. He recommends that neighbours stay in contact with the farmers, so that they can liaise about the spraying programme He said it is possible for people to be affected if they have sensitivity to these compounds or are susceptible to headaches or asthma. Mr Maack said the Constantia Valley was initially farmland but has become residential over many years. He said wherever possible the farmers endeavour to be sensitive to residents and do hand harvesting instead of using heavy noisy machinery. Spraying is seasonal (mainly in spring) and necessary to combat fungus and certain insects. Dr Jeanne de Waal of Technical Sales, Southern Region, Dow Agrosciences SA, said many of the vines are in flower at present and people confuse pesticide drift with hayfeverlike symptoms. She also said that pesticide applications on commercial level have to adhere to certain safety standards and these are very well regulated through accredited international bodies. Jurgen Schirmacher, chairman of The Air That I Breathe Foundation (TATIB), said they have recently received a number of complaints from residents living near Klein and Groot Constantia. They said they have fallen ill after inhaling spray drift. TATIB states that by law farmers must give details of what they are spraying. The organisation, which has about 700 members, believes that many farmers and the public are being brainwashed into believing that pesticide usage is necessary and that crops would fail without them. The website states that there seems to be a widespread lack of awareness concerning the harmful effects of the exposure of potentially toxic spray drifts from farms and vineyards into nearby residential areas. Buitenverwachting use Dithane M-45 Thiovit, and Topaz. Lowell Jooste, managing director of Klein Constantia, said they use standard sprays that are used worldwide and have gone through international tests. He said that if anyone is affected by the sprays it would be the people who use them. Klein Constantia use kelp, Cop-Star 120 SC and Sulphur Star. He said they have a standard programme but prefer to spray as little as possible, usually on a 14day cycle. However, the weather has been good this year so we spray every 21 days, he said. Jean Naud of Groot Constantia forwarded a long list of chemicals used on the estate and said that all are approved by the Department of Agriculture for spraying on grapevines for the purpose of winemaking. Mr Schirmacher said that they are not supposed to spray when it is windy and if the family could smell the product then there was spray drift. A headache is a known symptom of exposure to spray drift. Dizziness, hayfever and sinus problems, headaches and fatigue are all symptoms associated with pesticide and fungicide spray drift. When the Bulletin visited the Sutcliffes it was the windiest day of the week with a 45-knot wind and there was spray drift. Exposure to the spray drift and fumes of all three products will cause side effects. Dithane is the worst because its very dangerous for children. It causes major irritation to the eyes, skin and respiratory system. I personally have been sprayed with this one before. Its a known carcinogen, reproductive toxic and suspected endocrine disruptor, Mr Schirmacher said. Mr Sutcliffe said he received no notification of the spraying which is done over a few days and twice each season. The masks may be a preventative for the worker but what about the residents, asked Mr Sutcliffe. Dr Gerhard Verdoorn of the Griffon Poison Information Centre said the problem that the pesticide industry faces is that people applying pesticides seldom adhere to the label instructions and that inadvertently leads to adverse reactions in people, such as in strong windy conditions. No one has the right to use pesticides irresponsibly because it does cause negative impacts. On the other hand it is of no value to point fingers at the chemicals; they are lifeless entities designed and manufactured for particular purposes, said Dr Verdoorn. He added that sulphur, unless it is ignited, is practically nontoxic to people and animals. It is recorded as being a skin, eye and mucous membrane irritant if people are in direct contact with it. He also said that pesticides may trigger adverse effects in people. Everyone responds differently to pesticide exposure. Some experience nothing while others experience some sort of discomfort possibly dependent on their physical and health situations, said Dr Verdoorn. The Bulletin contacted the provincial Department of Agriculture numerous times over the past week to clarify the laws and conditions regarding the spraying of vines, but they did not respond by the time of going to print. The Bulletin will continue to seek answers. Visit www.tatibfoundation. blogspot.com to find out more.

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