Small Doses - Pesticides New No. 22

Farmers sue over alleged sheep dip poisoning

A number of Irish sheep farmers, who claim to be suffering from organophos-phate sheep dip poisoning, are preparing to sue the chemical companies that manufacture them. Fifty farmers have joined an organisation called PAIN, the Pesticide Action Information Network. Most of them have started litigation against various chemical companies. The farmers’ symptoms have included nausea, severe fatigue, imbalance, headaches and incontinence. In more serious cases, sufferers can collapse or go into a fit.

Sunday Tribune, Ireland, 31 October 1993.

Diuron herbicide and tree damage debacle

Wandsworth council in London is seeking compensation for alleged herbicide damage to 800 of the borough’s trees. The damage became apparent during the summer (June 1993) after residents noticed trees were changing colour and losing leaves after an overdose of the herbicide diuron had been used by contractors carrying out work for the council. More than 250 trees lost all their leaves out a total of 828. Over 400 trees are not expected to survive and will have to be replaced at a cost of £70,000.

Balham & Tooting Guardian, London, 4 November 1993.

Organic farming aid to bird populations

The British Trust for Ornithology is conducting a two year comparative study funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and the World Wide Fund for Nature on comparative bird populations on organic and conventional farms. So far, the study has identified significant differences between the populations of some birds such as the skylark: these are showing population reductions which have been attributed to habitat loss resulting from intensive farming. 

Soil Association, 15 November 1993.

Impact of long-term cotton pesticide use

An evaluation of the effects of repeated, long-term, heavy applications of insecticides, particularly on cotton soil bioactivity is to be carried out, initiated by the Joint FAO/International Atomic Energy Agency. The plant-soil systems are constantly receiving a multitude of pesticides including organophosphates, carbamates and organochlorines. Studies in the past have focused on fate, metabolism and impact on soil following single applications of pesticides for short periods. While being useful, the results from these studies do not reflect the impact of “heavy”, “repeated” or “long-term” applications.

Agrochemicals and Residues Newsletter, No 8, September 1993, p.8-9.

Cocaine, a natural insecticide

Cocaine, found in the leaves of coca plants, has been found to have insecticidal effects. Coca plants have previously been established as relatively pest-free. Now, this has been explained by the toxic effects of cocaine which is thought to elicit a blocking of a key neurotransmitter and hormone that regulates movement, behaviour and metabolism in insects.   

Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, US, vol 90, p. 9645, 1993.

Poisoned cranes in South Africa

Cranes and other bird species are being affected by the extensive use of pesticides in South Africa. The majority of poisonings are either indiscriminate or due to the illegal “hunting” of game birds by means of poisoned grain. Farmworkers in Overberg (South-western Cape) scatter grain soaked in pesticide in order to kill guinea fowl for their own consumption. But an unfortunate side effect of this has provided the main cause of death for blue cranes (Anthropoides paradiseus). Benfurocarb, furathiocarb, gamma BHC and dieldrin are particularly toxic pesticides commonly being used in South Africa. Dieldrin was withdrawn from the market in 1980, but it allegedly remains in use after many farmers stockpiled the product. 

Antidote, 1(3), October 1993.

[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 22, December 1993, page 17]