TOXIC ACCIDENTS SOAR DURING SPRING
Thursday, 19 September 2002 10:00
"A 5-year study just reported in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine has shown that pesticides were involved in up to 38% of all accidents associated with the release of hazardous chemicals. The study also found a correlation between the springtime months and the amount of health incidents caused by acute exposure to hazardous substances," said Ben Cole, Chemicals Campaigner for Total Environment Centre.
The authors attributed the increased number of accidents to the transportation and use of fertilisers and pesticides during the planting season. The authors also stated that it was not only agricultural workers that were at greater risk during the springtime months but also the general community including children.
"This study highlights the importance of the public's right to know about all pesticide applications that are occurring within their vicinity. Prior notification of pesticide applications allows the community to make informed decisions to reduce their exposure to agricultural chemicals."
"Unfortunately this study cannot be replicated or compared to the Australian agricultural situation as we do not have any formal recording system for adverse health effects caused by agricultural chemicals," continued Mr. Cole.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry - Australian (AFFA) has recently asked the state environment ministers to allow the federal body that assesses and registers agricultural chemicals (the National Registration Authority, NRA) to provide funding to establish an adverse health registry.
"Until Australia has developed a comprehensive recording system for adverse health effects associated with the use of agricultural chemicals the community, the regulators and the chemical manufacturers will remain in the dark as to how these chemicals are affecting our health."
Total Environment Centre is calling on the state ministers to allow the NRA to provide funding to immediately set up the adverse health registry.
