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Potatoes are an essential part of any typical South African meal and it is difficult to imagine cooking without it – whether it is a hearty leg of mutton accompanied by crispy oilfried potatoes, succulent mutton neck with mashed potatoes, a perfectly grilled steak with a baked potato and sour cream, fish and chips, or a decadent yellow-white potato salad that elevates any dish to royal status. Life without potatoes would certainly be dull.
But what has rubber, plastic, cardboard, and paper got to do with potatoes? The connection lies in pesticide safety. Pesticides are intrinsically hazardous substances, but when proper safety measures are followed, the associated risks can be minimised or even eliminated.
Personal protection
On a potato farm, individuals who handle pesticides will require cotton, rubber and plastic. Farm workers commonly wear cotton overalls, but in the case of store managers and spray operators who have to administer pesticide mixtures to crops, high-density cotton overalls are non-negotiable.
The overall serves as a barrier that intercepts any pesticide mist or airborne particles that might have otherwise come into contact with the body. Ask those who administered lambda-cyhalothrin without wearing protective clothing – they can attest to the major skin discomfort experienced within an hour of exposure. The overall must be complemented with a wide-brimmed cotton hat to protect the head, as the scalp is particularly susceptible to pesticide absorption.
Workers’ boots and gloves are made from rubber that is usually chemically impenetrable and provides complete protection against any pesticides that might come into contact with the skin. Plastic is used to manufacture protective eye gear, and an impenetrable plastic apron is essential for those who prepare the mixtures and work with concentrated pesticides.
Nose and mouth protection usually involves wearing a mask made from woven polypropylene. This mask catches the pesticide mist, preventing it from entering the airways or mouth. Workers handling highly hazardous pesticides such as terbufos, methamidophos, paraquat and fenamiphos should wear a respirator, as these products should not come into contact with the body at all.
Know your enemy
While wearing protective clothing may seem inconvenient and uncomfortable, the consequences of not doing so are far from pleasant. In a recent case a spray operator neglected to wear any protective clothing while applying glyphosate. The wind was strong, and the spray mist enveloped the operator.
Within an hour he experienced severe skin irritation, nausea, vomiting and dizziness.
Sounds strange? Absolutely! It is widely understood that glyphosate has very low toxicity to humans regardless of what anti-pesticide movements are preaching from their podiums.
However, few people realise that the formulations containing glyphosate include several additives.
These additives help distribute glyphosate effectively across target plants (weeds) and enhance its binding properties. In addition, some formulations contain solvents that can be much more harmful to humans than glyphosate. Certain liquid formulations of glyphosate-containing pesticides can contain up to 20% ethylene glycol which can have negative consequences if inhaled or ingested.
Another instance involves a young producer who, approximately three years ago, sprayed a combination of paraquat and lambda-cyhalothrin. By the time his mother phoned me, his skin was extremely red, and he was experiencing severe pain. Paraquat is highly toxic when absorbed through the skin and lambda-cyhalothrin burns the skin like hot coals. The producer had to be hospitalised and sustained serious skin burns.
Unnecessary exposure
The key takeaway is that unfamiliar chemical and biological substances should never come into contact with the body. That is why CropLife SA regularly reminds people to wear protective clothing. No individual should be unnecessarily exposed to chemical or biological substances.
The minimum protective gear includes overalls, a hat, nose and mouth protection, eye protection, rubber boots and gloves. These requirements are also clearly outlined by labour safety legislation. Farm owners must supply their workers with protective gear and workers must wear it to safeguard their health.
Are the consequences mentioned here a result of bad pesticides? No, there are no bad pesticides, only bad habits with consequences stemming from, among others, neglecting to wear protective clothing. The new Global Harmonization System (GHS) format for pesticide labels clearly underscores the need for self-protection. Furthermore, failing to wear protective clothing violates the stipulations of the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Seeds and Remedies Act, 1947 (Act 36 of 1947) which specify that all pesticide label instructions should be adhered to.
Food for thought
Pesticides are packaged in various materials, with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) being the most common. Polypropylene bags (PP) lined with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) are used for granule and powder formulations, including water-soluble glyphosate granules. In addition, heavy-duty paper bags with LDPE linings and cardboard boxes are also used.
Fourteen years ago, CropLife SA started collecting and supplying empty pesticide packaging, particularly the HDPE drums used widely in agriculture. A large number of people and companies are members of CropLife SA’s network of certified processors and the current supply of empty packaging is not sufficient to meet their needs. Potato producers are reminded of the fact that waste management regulations classify empty pesticide containers as hazardous waste that may not be stored on any farm. However, if the container is rinsed three times with a quarter of its volume, it is considered clean according to the South African National Standard (SANS) 10406. In such cases, the container may be handed over to processors for further cleaning and processing.
You might wonder what happens to the rinsing water which obviously contains pesticides. The rinsing water should be added to the spray tank as it contains the pesticide the producer has paid for. Once the container is clean, it can be taken to your nearest CropLife SA-certified processor, who will issue the producer with a certificate of recycling compliance.
CropLife SA is the first non-profit organisation in South Africa registered as a pesticide product responsibility organisation by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE). CropLife SA has been given a mandate by the DFFE to manage pesticide packaging (in other words, collect and reprocess empty containers). We must take this responsibility seriously and avoid harmful practices such as burying or burning empty containers. In doing so, we contribute to maintaining a clean and sustainable agricultural environment.
Certified processors
Potato producers can access the list of CropLife SA certified processors under ‘Container management’ at www.croplife.co.za. This resource also provides guidelines for the cleaning of various packaging materials. There is a significant and never-ending demand for HDPE and PP among plastic processors. Remember that empty plastic containers from the farm can provide a much-needed income for someone else. Do not cut off this income by burying or burning empty containers. – Dr Gerhard H Verdoorn, CropLife South Africa
For more information, contact Dr Gerhard Verdoorn at gerhard@croplife.co.za or on 082 446 8946.