Council defends use of \'toxic\' insecticide

Tag : Insecticide
The Dunedin City Council has no plans to discontinue the use of aninsecticide banned in 50 countries and described by the Green Partyas "highly toxic".
Dunedin City Council parks and reserves team leader Martin Thompsonyesterday confirmed endosulfan had been used at the Caledonian andthe University Oval three times in the past two years.
But an Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) reassessmentof the insecticide, expected to be completed later this year, couldforce the council's hand.
Greens health spokeswoman Sue Kedgley said yesterday 18 councilssprayed endosulfan on sports fields in New Zealand, which was theonly country in the world that used the insecticide.
Endosulfan could remain in the soil for up to six years, and anyskin or mouth contact with the soil could harm, she said.
"Endosulfan is a highly toxic insecticide which affects people'shormonal system, and is linked to breast cancer, endometriosis,male breast enlargement and delayed sexual maturity," Ms Kedgleysaid.
"It can cause birth defects, and is linked to epilepsy, autism,cerebral palsy, lowered IQ, and Parkinson's disease."
But Local Government New Zealand has leapt to the defence of itsmembers. President Lawrence Yule said yesterday council staffunderstood health and safety issues.
"They only use products that are allowed in this country and thatare fit for the purpose they are made for. Council staff alsofollow any instructions and conditions applicable to chemicalproducts."
The use of endosulfan is being reassessed by ERMA, which called forpublic submissions on the continued use of the insecticide in June,following the imposition of tighter restrictions or withdrawal ofthe product from the market in Australia, the United States andEurope.
Mr Thompson said yesterday endosulfan was used to kill earthworms,which left casts - the waste worms ejected on to the surface ofturf.
Casts hampered the appearance of the city's two "high profile"fields, made them uneven and affected their durability.
He said endosulfan was recommended by industry body the New ZealandSports Turf Institute.
The insecticide was usually only used during rain, so it would washinto the soil, though both grounds had irrigation that could beused instead.
The grounds were closed for the correct period after it was used.
Mr Thompson said the council did not intend to stop using theinsecticide, though it would do so if ERMA changed its rules.
An ERMA spokeswoman said yesterday more than 180 submissions werereceived on the reassessment, and a public hearing would be held inWellington on October 21.
Following the hearing, the authority expected to make a finaldecision on the future of the chemical before Christmas.
"If the benefits outweigh the risks and costs, the authority mayapprove the continued use of endosulfan in New Zealand for some orall of its current uses, possibly with stricter controls or withfurther restrictions on use.
"If the benefits do not outweigh the risks or costs then theauthority may decide to prohibit it outright."