We urge Carmarthenshire County Council to discontinue the use of
pesticides across
the county. The use of Nomix Dual is unsafe, and there are viable
alternatives available: (1) Hot
foam systems: these use heat to kill plants and can be used in all
weather conditions, unlike
chemical herbicides which require ideal weather for spraying. (2)
Hand weeding: particularly
suitable for smaller areas, such as playgrounds and paths in parks.
(3) Acetic acid dilutions:
effective for controlling weeds on hard surfaces in various
situations.
By adopting these alternatives, the council can promote safer
practices for weed control, while
minimising environmental impact. Glyphosate, which has been banned
by numerous countries
around the world, was classified as a probable cause of cancer by
scientists at the World Health
Organization (WHO) in 2015. Additionally, glyphosate has been shown
to contribute to the loss of
biodiversity in various ecosystems, making them more susceptible to
pollution and climate change.
These concerns underscore the importance of transitioning to safer
and more sustainable weed-
control methods.
Various factors highlight the heightened vulnerability of children
to pesticide exposure and
emphasise the importance of using safer alternatives to protect
their health and well-being.
Children absorb pesticides more easily through their skin. A
child's skin is more permeable than
that of adults. Also, their skin surface area relative to body
weight is higher, which increases the
rate of absorption of pesticides. As a result, infants can absorb
around three times more pesticides
than adults from similar exposure episodes.
Children take in more air, water and food relative to their body
weight compared to adults. This
increases their total exposure. For example, the breathing rate of
a child in its first twelve years is
roughly double that of an adult. As a result, the amount of
airborne contaminants reaching the
surface of the lung can be much higher.
Children not only face higher exposure risks to pesticides but also
differ from adults in their ability
to cope with pesticide poisoning. Their bodies have less developed
systems for dealing with toxins,
making them less capable of managing these substances compared to
adults.
As children grow, their brains and bodies undergo intricate changes
that influence tissue growth and
organ development. Exposures that adults might tolerate can lead to
irreversible damage in unborn
babies, infants, and adolescents. Therefore, protecting children
from pesticide exposure is crucial
during their developmental stages to safeguard their long-term
health and well-being.
Started by: Charles Mitchell
On reaching 300 registered electors of Carmarthenshire signatures a full council debate will be held.
This ePetition ran from 17/07/2024 to 20/09/2024 and has now finished.
67 people signed this ePetition.