from Sunday Herald, 31 January 2010
The health of thousands children is being put at risk by the widespread use of toxic pesticides in Scottish schools, according to a new survey by environmental groups.
Local authorities across the country have admitted spraying chemicals suspected of causing cancers and other health problems on playing fields, paths and playgrounds to control weeds. They have also laid poisonous bait to try and get rid of rats.
Exposing children to such risks is “staggering” and “unacceptable”, say campaigners, who are demanding a ban. Some councils say they would prefer not to use pesticides, but manufacturers insist they are safe if properly used.
Councils across the UK were asked for the first time to identify which pesticides they used in schools. The survey was carried out at the end of last year by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), which brings together 65 organisations in 26 countries across Europe, along with the UK campaign group, Pesticides Action Network.
In Scotland, councils confessed to using four pesticides that have been linked to cancers. They are weedkillers called sulphosulphuron, oxadiazon, dichlobenil and mecoprop-P, all of which have been listed by the US government’s Environment Protection Agency as possible carcinogens.
A compound known as glufosinate-ammonium, which the European Commission says might harm fertility and unborn children, is used to help mark sports pitches. The weedkiller, glyphosate, which some studies suggest may disrupt hormones, is widely applied.
A powerful pesticide known as bromadiolone has also been laid as bait to kill rats in some Scottish schools. It is classified as extremely hazardous by the World Health Organisation.
“From this survey and our investigations it is likely that use of these hazardous products is widespread across Scotland,” said Vicki Hird, who co-ordinates HEAL’s ‘sick of pesticides’ campaign.
She pointed out that children were particularly vulnerable to harm from pesticides as their organs were still growing and couldn’t remove toxins. “This is an unacceptable health hazard,” she told the Sunday Herald.
“It is staggering that thousands of Scottish children may be being exposed to these toxic chemicals when they go to school. They must have a safe school environment, and Scottish authorities must ban the use of pesticides immediately.”
Hird refused to name the six Scottish local authorities who had given details of their pesticide use. She argued that it would be unfair put the spotlight on them because the majority of councils who had failed to respond to the survey were also likely to be spraying and laying pesticides.
Under new European legislation, the UK government must produce an action plan for cutting pesticide use by 2012. Particular attention must be paid to places where vulnerable groups like children might be at risk.
Reducing the exposure of children to pesticides linked to cancers was an “urgent priority”, according to the Soil Association, which promotes organic food. “We should take all reasonable steps to avoid and minimise risks,” said the association’s Scottish director, Hugh Raven.
“It's surprising and very disappointing that these known poisons are being used where they could affect children. We agree that it should be stopped.”
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) said that the survey raised important issues, which were taken seriously by councils. “Local authorities would do their own in-house risk assessment before any work is carried out anywhere,” stated a COSLA spokesman.
“Any spraying is undertaken when no pupils or staff are present, thus removing the immediate risk of inhalation or ingestion. Any baiting for rodents is carried out in safe locations either in locked bait boxes or in areas where there is no pupil or staff access.”
The Scottish government said the use of pesticides was up to local authorities. “The health and safety of children is paramount,” added a government spokesman, “and we would expect local authorities to ensure that pupils are not at risk in the school environment.”
The Crop Protection Association, which represents the pesticides industry, said that “wherever possible” chemicals should be applied outside school hours. “Products are safe when used correctly,” insisted the association’s spokesman, Richard Minton.
“If left unchecked weeds, pests and diseases can potentially be more hazardous to the public well-being, than the pesticides being used to control them,” he argued.
“The majority of pesticides being used are far less toxic than many household products, such as cleaning materials, shampoo, toothpaste, alcohol, tea and coffee.”
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