2,4,5-T gets good report

Press, 31 March 1981, Page 1

2,4,5-T gets good report

PA Wellington Applicators of the chemical spray 2,4,5-T, and their families have no greater incidence of congenital defects than the rest of the population, a medical survey has shown. The survey, sponsored by the Health Department and the Medical Research Council, compared rates of congenital defects, stillbirths, and miscarriages of the two groups.

No significant differences were found, and the rates of congenital defects of 20 per 1000 births for chemical applicators and 16 per 1000 for agricultural contractors were close to those reported in other studies done in New Zealand, the researchers found.

Eighty-six per cent of 459 married chemical ap-

plieators and 422 married agricultural contractors responded to the survey. The chemical has been banned, or suspended in some because of its. links with spontaneous abortions. New Zealand is a big user of 2,4,5-T; more than 500 tonnes are sprayed each year. The respondents to the questionnaire said that they often sprayed while wearing just shorts and boots, and became drenched with chemicals while spraying. ’ ■ The survey,. found that the congenital defects were of tno specific type. The researchers ' said that the results were reassuring, but that, studies of bigger numbers with.more specific ' data ' might disclose effects’ from use. of the spray.’ > 1 ' 1