Cypermethrin fish kill disaster

A careless release of cypermethrin – deadly to aquatic life – has caused devastation along a 21 kilometre stretch of the River Slea in Lincolnshire. The UK Environment Agency estimate that over 100,000 fish have died, and other aquatic organisms were wiped out.
    The incident occurred over the weekend of 15-16 February. According to John Giles of the Environment Agency, ‘This is one of the most severe river pollution incidents in Lincolnshire in living memory. It could have been easily avoided if the correct procedures for storage and movement of the containers had been followed.’
    Empty drums of cypermethrin were being removed for disposal from an industrial site in Sleaford, and small traces of the pesticide drained into the watercourse. The Environment Agency are carrying out an investigation pending a prosecution of the site owners.
    Any pollution incidents should be reported to the Environment Agency’s 24-hour Emergency Hotline 0800 807060.
www.environment-agency.gov.uk

[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 59, March 2003, page 17]