Cell damage from sprays

Press, 28 March 1979, Page 15

Cell damage from sprays

PA Blenheim I A group of workers who used chemical sprays for a long time had a higher level of genetic damage than normal in their blood cells, a national seminar on herbicides was told in Blenheim. The results of the study undertaken by the Christchurch Hospital research team were published in the ‘ New Zealand Medical Journal” early last September. Dr W. T. Morgan, a mem-

ber of the cancer research team at Christchurch Hospital, said a study of 57 sprayers showed an urgent need for more research on herbicides. It also revealed the failure of many workers to take precautions when using or storing chemical sprays, he said. The workers studied and found to have suffered a higher level of genetic damage had taken little or no precautions when using sprays, said Dr Morgan. About 80 people from throughout the country were at the seminar sponsored by Victoria University which ended with a call for funds to be made available for research.

The Medical Research Council will be asked to provide money for further studies of herbicide and pesticide sprayers and related research into possible cancer mutation and birth defect links with the chemicals. Dr Morgan said the only way data could be obtained was by long-term research, but manpower and finance were not available. Requests had been made from chemical spray worki ers in the Nelson area for tests to be made on them, he said. Regarding the controversial 2,4,5-T spray, Dr Morgan said studies should be made on dioxin levels in the flesh of farm animals exposed to its residues be-

cause of a possible risk to public health and meat exports. “But it is beyond the scope of our unit,” he said, j The registrar of the agri-| cultural chemicals board. Mr B. B. Watts, said all new, chemicals were subjected to’ testing for six years ormore. They were also referred to a team of researchers in this ■ country and had to meet testing requirements and manufacturers label claims before being introduced. But he said there was only one man in New Zealand who had the necessary qualifications to carry out tests, and that was Health Department’s senior toxicologist, Mr M. Bates.