Warnings on use of weedicide

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33814, 10 April 1975, Page 12

Warnings on use of weedicide

Although there is no evidence from any part of the world that the weedicide, 2,4,5-T, has affected human foetuses, the Agricultural Chemicals Board felt it prudent to take some action on the chemical, the board’s chairman (Mr P. J. Clark) has said.

Mr Clark was replying m a letter from a correspondent, Graham Perrier, who said that the domestic use of [the weedicide had been banned in the United States, but not in New Zealand. Scientists had discovered an unusual incidence of birth defects in Vietnam, where the chemical had been used as a defoliant, and had calculated that pregna -t women there might have absorbed only slightly less of the chemical than the amount which had deformed one out of three foetuses in rats, Mr Perrier wrote. It seemed odd that “The Press” advertised the use of the weedicide. and referred to it in the home-gardening section, he wrote. COMMITTEE SET UP

The Agricultural Chemicals Board had set up a committee of medical, veterinary and agricultural experts to investigate the use of 2, 4. 5-T in New Zealand after advice from overseas that deformities had been detected in the foetuses of laboratory animals after the adminisgration of high rates

of the chemical to pregnant animals, Mr Clark said. The board had later set a limit on the amount, of dioxin permitted in the weedicide, and had ruled that all labels must carry warnings regarding the weedicide’s use.

;n ings, contamination of water id should be avoided, use of •t the weedicide around the b- home was discouraged, and of women of child-bearing age te were advised to avoid ex?d posure to 2, 4. 5-T. Mr Clark in said.

Packets of less than one quart had been withdrawn from the market. The board had taken the action because it felt it was wise to reduce possible contacts with the weedicide, Mr Clark said.