Murrumbidgee Irrigation Ltd
Annual Compliance Report 2015 p72 Monitoring Results for Point 4 LAG
5/9/14: Diuron 5.36ug/L
15/9/14: Metolachlor 0.187ug/L
17/10/14: Diuron 1.01ug/L
31/10/14: Diuron 1.75ug/L
3/2/15: Diuron 2.3ug/L
3/2/15: Metolachlor 0.03ug/L
2014 Licence Compliance Report (High detections only)
May 2014: Atrazine 3.65ug/L
May 2014: Chlorpyrifos 0.018ug/L
April 2014: Diuron 245ug/L
June 2014: Metalachlor 0.601
November 2014: Molinate 5ug/L
August 2014: Simazine 8.45ug/L
Box Creek. Site MOXM 409090
20/10/11 Atrazine 1.4ug/L
29/10/11 Molinate 19.6ug/L
1/11/11 Molinate 68ug/L
10/11/11 Molinate 0.6ug/L
15/11/11 Molinate 21.3ug/L
22/11/11 Molinate 2.8ug/L
29/11/11 Molinate 5.3ug/L
(2012/13 Annual Compliance Report)
(10/11/12) Molinate 18ug/L
(10/11/12) Thiobencarb 1ug/L
Source: Murray Irrigation Compliance Report 2011/12
https://www.murrayirrigation.com.au/media/9960/Annual%20Compliance%20Report%202011-12.pdf
Highest Levels detected in Tuppal Creek 1998 & 2001
Molinate: 12.9ug/L 29/10/98
Oxychlordane: 0.02ug/L October 1998
Atrazine: 0.195ug/L 13/6/01
Simazine: 0.4ug/L 13/6/01
Glyphosate: 6ug/L 10/8/01
Dimethoate: 0.2ug/L
Note: Molinate and Thiobencarb were detected at 5851ug/L and 4393ug/L respectively using TRIMPS in October/November 1998.
Pesticide Discharges from Irrigated Agriculture in the Murray Irrigation Area, NSW South Wales Australia – NSW EPA 2002
p99 PESTICIDE MONITORING IN THE IRRIGATION AREAS OF SOUTH-WESTERN NSW 1990 – 1995 K H Bowmer, W Korth, A Scott, G McCorkelle, M Thomas
p99 PESTICIDE MONITORING IN THE IRRIGATION AREAS OF SOUTH-WESTERN NSW 1990 – 1995 K H Bowmer, W Korth, A Scott, G McCorkelle, M Thomas
p84 PESTICIDE MONITORING IN THE IRRIGATION AREAS OF SOUTH-WESTERN NSW 1990 – 1995 K H Bowmer, W Korth, A Scott, G McCorkelle, M Thomas
Highest Levels
Molinate: ~40ug/L 6/11/94
Malathion: ~0.55ug/L 22/10/94
Chlorpyrifos: ~0.08ug/L 19/11/94
Thiobencarb: ~4ug/L 8/11/94
Endosulfan: ~0.1ug/L 15/11/94
Diuron: ~7.5ug/L 18/10/94
Atrazine: ~1ug/L October 1994
Metolachlor: 1.8ug/L October 1994
p74-82 PESTICIDE MONITORING IN THE IRRIGATION AREAS OF SOUTH-WESTERN NSW
1990 – 1995 K H Bowmer, W Korth, A Scott, G McCorkelle, M Thomas
November 1991 Grab Samples from Mirrool Creek
6 locations
Molinate: 18ug/L Drew Road (max detection)
Chlorpyrifos 17ug/L Drew Road (max detection)
Atrazine: 2.2ug/L Drew Road (max detection)
Diuron: 0.17ug/L Brogden Road (Max detection)
p73 PESTICIDE MONITORING IN THE IRRIGATION AREAS OF SOUTH-WESTERN NSW
1990 – 1995 K H Bowmer, W Korth, A Scott, G McCorkelle, M Thomas
Surface Runoff Citrus Farm November 1992 Merungle Hill NSW
Maximum Concentrations
Bromacil 15ug/L, Diuron 20ug/L.
p73 PESTICIDE MONITORING IN THE IRRIGATION AREAS OF SOUTH-WESTERN NSW
1990 – 1995 K H Bowmer, W Korth, A Scott, G McCorkelle, M Thomas
1991 Pesticide Export from Rice Pasture
October 1991
Molinate: 75ug/L (average), 818 (maximum)
Malathion: 0.21ug/L (average), ~8ug/L (maximum)
Chlorpyrifos: 0.17ug/L (average), ~9ug/L (maximum)
Atrazine: 45ug/L (average), ~250ug/L (maximum
p70-71 PESTICIDE MONITORING IN THE IRRIGATION AREAS OF SOUTH-WESTERN NSW,
On at least one occasion (when a malathion concentration of 15μg/L was detected), aerial overspray of the drain with malathion impregnated rice was indicated.
p69 PESTICIDE MONITORING IN THE IRRIGATION AREAS OF SOUTH-WESTERN NSW,
Authority cops spray over timing
Some irrigators want to know why Goulburn-Murray Water was applying a herbicide weed spray to channels so close to the start of the irrigation season.
September 1, 2015
Chemical residues are holding up the new irrigation season.
G-MW is still trying to clear irrigation channels that contain residue from the spray, two weeks after the irrigation season was supposed to have started.
The authority says the spray containing Imazapyr was applied in May, June and July.
Some landholders have been supplied with trucked-in supplies of stock and domestic water while they wait for the residue to disappear.
Naring farmer Barry Croke said he saw G-MW spraying weeds in channels near his property in late July.
He said the use of the herbicide so close to the start of the season raised questions about the efficacy of the treatment and the threat of residues.
Instructions for the spray when being used for irrigation channels say: ‘‘If the entire (empty) channel surface is to be treated, delay reuse of the channel for as long as possible (at least six weeks) for Arsenal Xpress to adsorb to soil particles.’’
During routine testing, G-MW detected residual traces of Imazapyr, an active ingredient contained in herbicides used to control the aquatic weed arrowhead, in the water of some treated channels.
‘‘This should have been completed by mid-June at the latest,’’ Mr Croke said.
He was one of dozens of farmers told they could not access water at the start of the season because of the spray residues.
‘‘If you don’t give it time, then the active ingredient will not be fixed in the soil and it will be leached out by the flushing of water.’’
Mr Croke also raised the issue of compensation for being shut out of water deliveries.
‘‘We’re paying our delivery share for access to the system from August to May. I suppose we will still get the bill for access for that whole time.’’
While staff had been keeping him up-to-date on the outcome of testing, he believed the spraying program had been badly managed.
G-MW is continuing to open channels affected by residues but on Monday morning about 300 customers were still affected.
A spokesperson for G-MW said it was expected all customers would have access to water for irrigation and stock and domestic purposes by the end of this week.
‘‘We are working with customers to ensure we’re meeting their water needs.’’
G-MW has not yet commented on questions over whether affected irrigators will be compensated.
The Environment Protection Authority has been advised of the spray issue.
EPA north-east manager Clare Kiely said G-MW had advised EPA of its plan to flush the water from the channels and to contain it in drains until tests for Imazapyr came back clear.
G-MW will then move the water back into its supply channel.
G-MW has sent EPA results of its testing of waterways and EPA is confident the results confirm there will not be any impact on the environment.
‘‘While G-MW has adopted a very prudent and precautionary approach to managing this very low risk issue, EPA will seek the outcomes of G-MW’s internal review of this event to ensure procedures are appropriately revised to prevent the risk of any re-occurrences of this type,’’ Ms Kiely said.
https://www.mmg.com.au/local-news/country-news/authority-cops-spray-over-timing-1.98816
Norton Estate owners frustrated with spray drift damage
June 9, 2016, The Wimmera Mail Times
A WIMMERA winery owner has urged farmers and agronomists to take extreme caution with chemicals after a toxic herbicide drifted into his vineyard.
Norton Estate owner Chris Spence was working in his Lower Norton vineyard in May when he noticed a pungent chemical smell drifting from the south.
“Being aware of what different farm chemicals smell like, I was pretty confident it was an ester drift,” he said.
“Ester is a highly effective broad-leaf weed control, but orchards and vineyards are highly susceptible to ester vapour damage.
“It has the potential to drift up to 25 kilometres in the right conditions. It’s a product that’s been looked at and could probably be banned in two to three years because of its volatility.”
Mr Spence said a Department of Agriculture inspector would visit his vineyard today.
He said it would be three to four months before he knew the ramifications for his vineyard.
“There is a bit of leaf damage to the vines, but we won’t know what sort of damage has been done to this year’s fruit until spring,” he said.
“Fingers crossed the vines were starting to move into dormancy and weren’t hit as hard as they could have been if it was earlier in the season.
“It would be a disaster for us because it’s our oldest block of shiraz.
“If we have to replant, we then have to wait two decades to get any fruit from it.
“Then there’s also a massive cost involved to replant.”
Mr Spence said it was too late to change what happened to his vineyard, but his case was a valuable lesson.
“Not only do farmers need to be vigilant with regard to knowing what is around them and using the wrong chemcials on the wrong day, but agronomists need to be equally as cautious,” he said.
“All of our immediate neighbours are very conscious of what they spray.
“But given ester can drift for vast distances, it’s the ones that could be five, 10, or 25 kilometres away who could do the damage and not necessarily realise.
“What farmers out there would like to have a poorly applied herbicide used by one of their neighbours affect them for the next 20 years?”
https://www.mailtimes.com.au/story/3958856/wimmera-vines-damaged-after-deadly-spray-drifts/
1992/3 Farm Drains Willbriggie Irrigation Area NSW
Molinate 700ug/L (retested March 1994 at end of growing season: 0.3ug/L)
Malathion 30ug/L (retested March 1994 at end of growing season: 0.3ug/L)
Chlorpyrifos 25ug/L (retested March 1994 at end of growing season: not detected)
Atrazine 79ug/L (retested March 1994 at end of growing season: 1.1ug/L)
Metolachlor 120ug/L (retested March 1994 at end of growing season: 3.2ug/L)
Thiobencarb 3ug/L (retested March 1994 at end of growing season: 0.24ug/L)
Bensulfuron 4.9ug/L (retested March 1994 at end of growing season: 0.08ug/L)
p68 PESTICIDE MONITORING IN THE IRRIGATION AREAS OF SOUTH-WESTERN NSW,
Willbriggie Irrigation Area October – November 1993
Drainage from either rice or maize crops in water channel (not all samples listed here)
Atrazine: 88ug/L November 1993, 58ug/L October 1993
Metolachlor: 140ug/L November 9 1993, 120ug/L November 11 1993, ~115ug/L November 21 1993, ~112ug/L November 19 1993
Molinate: ~270ug/L November 29 1993, ~200ug/L November 19 1993
Malathion: ~5.5ug/L October 1993
Thiobencarb: ~3ug/L November 1993
Bensulfuron: ~5.8ug/L November 1993
Chlorpyrifos: ~0.07ug/L November 23 1993, ~0.06ug/L November 21 1993
p57 PESTICIDE MONITORING IN THE IRRIGATION AREAS OF SOUTH-WESTERN NSW,
p57 PESTICIDE MONITORING IN THE IRRIGATION AREAS OF SOUTH-WESTERN NSW,
p57 PESTICIDE MONITORING IN THE IRRIGATION AREAS OF SOUTH-WESTERN NSW,
Pesticide Concentrations in Coleambally Irrigation Area Surface Water 1994-5 Season
Highest concentrations only.
Diuron 0.3ug/L December 1994
Atrazine 0.35ug/L November 1994
MCPA 0.59ug/L February 1995
2,4-D 2.1ug/L February 1995
Endosulfan 0.1ug/L February 1995
Thiobencarb 2.7ug/L October 1994
Molinate 20ug/L November 1994
p55 PESTICIDE MONITORING IN THE IRRIGATION AREAS OF SOUTH-WESTERN NSW,
South West farmers Jeff Pow and Michelle McManus have raised serious concerns about the destruction of their livelihood after the state government started an aerial pesticide spraying program around their property on Wednesday.
The pair have owned Southampton Homestead near Balingup since 2010 and have built up a successful enterprise based around holistic land management – a farming technique which restores pastures and uses animals to build biodiversity without the need for chemicals and pesticides.
The pair won the 2015 WA Landcare award for innovation and sustainable farm practices. They are now named as a finalist for the national award in the same category for 2016.
Their business philosophy involves bringing fresh produce and poultry to market that have been raised 100 per cent chemical free.
But their property is surrounded by pine plantations managed by the Forest Products Commission which are being sprayed with metsulfuron and glyphosate (roundup).
Mr Pow said he has serious concerns about what the chemicals will do to his organic produce.
“These compounds will leach into the river and directly destroy the algal microbial communities which are the foundation of the food chain in this water system,” he said.
“This will devastate the marron and fish populations, including brown trout, rainbow trout and redfin, that currently inhabit the waterway.
“Losing the marron is particularly concerning as Southampton have started farming them as a new enterprise.
Forest Products Commission general manager Gavin Butcher said the commission notified neighbours of the spraying program and work with landholders to resolve concerns raised.
“The sawlogs from this plantation will be used to supply the Western Australian softwood industry,” he said.
“Weed control in young pine plantations is required to ensure the seedlings’ successful development and plantation productivity.
“The FPC has obligations under the Forest Management Plan 2014-2023 and the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 to control declared weeds present within their plantation.”
Last year the World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer declared it is probable that glyphosate is carcinogenic to humans.
Mr Butcher said FPC uses products registered for forestry use of which glyphosate, an effective broad-spectrum herbicide, is one.
“As Australia’s agricultural and veterinary chemical regulator, it is the role of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to consider all relevant scientific material when determining the likely impacts on human health and worker safety,” he said.
“The current assessment by the authority is that products containing glyphosate are safe to use as per the label instructions.”
Mr Pow said he will now be required to undertake an expensive chemical testing regime of his produce for contamination.
“Should the results come back positive, it will effectively end our enterprise as the customers that buy our products are purchasing a clean, green and natural food,” he said.
“We sell 12,000 chickens a year and our customers will be unwilling to keep purchasing if the produce has any detectable levels of the compounds being applied by the FPC.”
– Andrew Elstermann, Donnybrook Mail
https://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/organic-south-west-farm-hold-grave-fears-over-aerial-glyphosate-spraying-20160606-gpd3bc.html
1991-1993 Pesticide concentrations in large drains of the Coleambally Irrigation Area
Endosulfan 0.25ug/L, Atrazine 5.7ug/L, Molinate 50.3ug/L, Diuron 3.7ug/L, Simazine 0.1ug/L, Malathion 0.8ug/L, Diazinon 0.1ug/L, Chlorpyrifos 0.1ug/L, Thiobencarb 1.5ug/L, Metolachlor 6ug/L
p55 PESTICIDE MONITORING IN THE IRRIGATION AREAS OF SOUTH-WESTERN NSW,
Supply Water from Murrumbidgee River to Coleambally Irrigation Area
Endosulfan 0.02ug/L (January 1994)
Metolachlor 0.1ug/L
p54 PESTICIDE MONITORING IN THE IRRIGATION AREAS OF SOUTH-WESTERN NSW,
Pesticide detections Surface Water Murrumbidgee Irrigation District 1994/5
Diuron: Max 5.4ug/L October 1994
Simazine: Max 4.8ug/L December 1994
Atrazine: Max 4.4ug/L December 1994
Diazinon: Max 0.13ug/L November 1994
Bromacil: Max 1.8ug/L November 1994
MCPA: Max 0.7ug/L February 1995
2,4-D: Max 5.7ug/L November 1994
Endosulfan: Max 2.51ug/L December 1994
Malathion: Max 0.69ug/L October 1994
Thiobencarb; Max 2.4ug/L November 1994
p52 PESTICIDE MONITORING IN THE IRRIGATION AREAS OF SOUTH-WESTERN NSW,
Pesticide Concentrations in Large Drains of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation District 1991-3
Diuron: (highest 9.5ug/L, detected 29/71 times)
Atrazine: (highest 5.4ug/L, detected 9/71 times)
Molinate: (highest 37.5ug/L, detected 32/71 times)
Malathion: (highest 1.8ug/L, detected 6/71 times)
Bromacil: (highest 4.9ug/L, detected 10/71 times)
p51/2 PESTICIDE MONITORING IN THE IRRIGATION AREAS OF SOUTH-WESTERN NSW, 1990 – 1995K H Bowmer, W Korth, A Scott, G McCorkelle, M Thomas CSIRO LAND & WATER April 1998TECHNICAL REPORT 17/98
https://www.clw.csiro.au/publications/technical98/tr17-98.pd
Atrazine detected at 0.08ug/L at Yanco leaving Murrumbidgee River and entering main canal at Yanco.
p51 PESTICIDE MONITORING IN THE IRRIGATION AREAS OF SOUTH-WESTERN NSW, 1990 – 1995K H Bowmer, W Korth, A Scott, G McCorkelle, M Thomas CSIRO LAND & WATER April 1998TECHNICAL REPORT 17/98
https://www.clw.csiro.au/publications/technical98/tr17-98.pdf
Hazards of the job for firefighters: Peisley Street pesticide spill clean up operation
June 3, 2016 Central Western Daily
DECONTAMINATION: Orange Fire and Rescue officers and members of Fire and Rescue NSW’s hazardous material team, working at the Elders site yesterday following a pesticide spill
A PESTICIDE spill at Elders in Peisley Street on Thursday afternoon was the focus of a decontamination exercise which took several hours to clean up.
Orange Fire and Rescue officers were joined by the Fire and Rescue NSW hazardous materials team from Bathurst in the early afternoon after reports of a spill of cropping pesticide from the back of a truck which was making a delivery at the site.
Inspector Brett Jackson of NSW Fire and Rescue said 15 firefighters were involved in the clean up.
“Initially two workers had to be decontaminated as the liquid had spilled onto their boots and gloves,” Inspector Jackson said.
He said firefighters then used absorbent material to soak up the surplus pesticide liquid.
They also donned breathing apparatus during the process.
After the spill was cleaned up firefighters had to be decontaminated themselves to ensure no residue remained.
https://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/story/3945762/hazards-of-the-job-for-firefighters-peisley-street-pesticide-spill-clean-up-operation/?cs=103
Endosulfan – Peel River
Source: Integrative Modelling of Transport and Fate of Endosulfan in the Riverine Environment. CSIRO Technical Report 14/98 – June 1998
Endosulfan – Namoi River at Bugilbone
Source: Integrative Modelling of Transport and Fate of Endosulfan in the Riverine Environment. CSIRO Technical Report 14/98 – June 1998
Endosulfan – Namoi River d/s Weeta Weir
Source: Integrative Modelling of Transport and Fate of Endosulfan in the Riverine Environment. CSIRO Technical Report 14/98 – June 1998
Endosulfan – Gunidjera Creek
Source: Integrative Modelling of Transport and Fate of Endosulfan in the Riverine Environment. CSIRO Technical Report 14/98 – June 1998
Endosulfan – Narrabri Creek at Narrabri
Source: Integrative Modelling of Transport and Fate of Endosulfan in the Riverine Environment. CSIRO Technical Report 14/98 – June 1998
Endosulfan – Namoi River Gunnedah
Source: Integrative Modelling of Transport and Fate of Endosulfan in the Riverine Environment. CSIRO Technical Report 14/98 – June 1998
Coxs Creek Boggabri
Endosulfan 0.09ug/L, 0.1ug/L, 0.08ug/L January 1997
Source: Integrative Modelling of Transport and Fate of Endosulfan in the Riverine Environment. CSIRO Technical Report 14/98 June 1998
Pian Creek Rossmore
Endosulfan 28/9/93 0.12ug/L
Endosulfan 12/10/93 0.08ug/L
Source: Integrative Modelling of Transport and Fate of Endosulfan in the Riverine Environment. CSIRO Technical Report 14/98 June 1998
Although infequent, the influx of endosulfan into rivers during a runoff event can pose a major threat of acute contamination. Preece and Whalley (1993) monitored endosulfan concentrations in surface waters in the Gwydir River during a storm event in December 1991 in which total endosulfan concentrations peaked at around 7 ug/L and elevated endosulfan concentrations persisted for several days. Muschal (1997) also sampled endosulfan concentrations in the Gwydir River during a storm event in January 1997 during which total endosulfan concentrations reached 1.75ug/L and elevated endosulfan concentrations persisted for at least 48 hours. As the ANZECC (1992) guideline for the protection of aquatic ecosystems is 0.01ug/L, and the revised (ANZECC and ARMCANZ 2000) is 0.03ug/L, storm events such as these pose a major threat to riverine ecosystems.
(The Transport, Fate and Effects of Endosulfan in the Australian Freshwater Environment. (Grant C Hose, Richard P Lim and Ross P Vine). Australasian Journal of Ecotoxicology Vol 9 pp101-111, 2003
https://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=20985
2007 Plume Haughton River/Barratta Creek (Qld) 0.08ug/L
apvma.gov.au/sites/default/files/publication/15386-diuron-environment.pdf
January 2005: Plume from Proserpine/O’Connelll River Diuron 0.44ug/L
apvma.gov.au/default/files/publication/15386-diuron-environment.pdf
Diuron detected at 0.17ug/L in Mirool Creek just above Barren Box Swamp 1994
apvma.gov.au/sites/default/files/publication/15386-diuron-environment.pdf
December 2005, Burnett Catchment, Sugarcane farm
During peak runoff, concentrations of diuron ranged between 64 and 73ug/L and rose steeply to 280ug/L on last sampling.
Source: Diuron Environmental Assessment July 2011
apvma.gov.au/sites/default/files/publication/15386-diuron-environment.pdf
Evidence suggests that the concentrations of DDT in Australian rivers have progressively declined, as indicated by water in the Brisbane River, which consistently fell from maximum concentrations of about 1.7 μg/L in 1972-1973 to not detectable in 1986-1987 (Connell et al 2001). Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011
November 1994
Little Mirool Creek Chlorpyrifos 0.08ug/L, 0.07ug/L
Little Mirool Creek Diuron 7.5ug/L 1994 (apvma.gov.au/sites/default/files/publication/15386-diuron-environment.pdf)
Exit drains Willbriggie 1992 and 1993 Chlorpyrifos 25ug/L
Rice Bay 38ug/L October 1992
Drained Floodwater 7.1ug/L
Source: APVMA
Mehi River at Bronte, Downstream of Moree
8/3/95 Chlorpyrifos 26ug/L
Boomi River Kanowna, upstream of Mungindi (Border River)
20/3/95 6.5ug/L
Lower Namoi River at Bugilbone
March 1995: Chlorpyrifos 0.1ug/L
April 1996: Chlorpyrifos 9.1ug/L
Source: Muschal/Cooper
Brageen Crossing – Gwydir River upstream Moree
3 March 1995: Chlorpyrifos 8.7ug/L
5 April 1996: Chlorpyrifos 0.18ug/L
Source: Muschal
1997 Cox’s Creek Upper Namoi River Catchment
Chlorpyrifos 1.2ug/L and 0.4ug/L
Diuron 24ug/L
Fluometuron 9ug/L
Source: Muschal 1997
December 1997 and February 1998
Pian Creek, Rossmore
Chlorpyrifos 0.1ug/L
Source: Mushcal 1998
March 7 1995 Thalaba Creek 0.2ug/L
June 1996 Thalaba Creek 0.83ug/L
October 1997 Thalaba Creek, Merrywinebone
Chlorpyrifos 0.13ug/L
Source: Muschal
October 1997: Thalaba Creek Fluometuron 31ug/L
*Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Cotton Production. Proceeding of the Cropping Systems Forum 2 & 3 December 1998 Narrabri NSW
January 1998 Moomin Creek (NSW) Iffley.
Chlorpyrifos 0.2ug/L
Muschal 1998.
Diuron and Carbendazim detected at 9 locations including Noosa Heads
Levels at Noosa Heads: Diuron 0.0045ug/L, Carbendazim 0.0003ug/L
https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/53059/45-NFHTIF-Detection-andMeasurement-of-Noosa-River-Catchment.pdf
July-Aug 2009;
Endosulfan Sulfate detected in Lake Cooroibah at 0.002ug/L
Source: https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/53059/45-NFHTIF-Detection-andMeasurement-of-Noosa-River-Catchment.pdf
A Sunshine Coast community is waiting for test results to confirm whether contaminated water that may have led to two-headed fish embryos hatching in the area is also responsible for a possible cancer cluster.
Residents of all four houses that back on to Cooloothin Creek, which is flanked by large macadamia plantations near the Noosa River, have been diagnosed with cancer since deformities were found in fish hatchlings four years ago.
Bernard Gevers, who has worked for five years at the Sunland Fish Hatchery where the deformed fish larvae were found, has begun treatment for suspected bowel cancer.
Mr Gevers, 66, told brisbanetimes.com.au he was certain his illness had been caused by water contaminated by products containing Carbendazim which are used by farmers on the macadamia farm.
He said he used to drink the water from the creek at the back of the hatchery before he fell ill.
“I used to wash my face and hands in the water too just to cool down but then I started getting big blotches on my face.
“I went to the doctor and he told me it was from old age but I thought, could it come from the (chemical) spray (in the water).”
Mr Gevers stopped drinking water from the property and the blotches on his skin disappeared.
Less than five years later Mr Gevers is being treated for suspected bowel cancer and will have further tests next month.
Sunland Fish Hatchery, owned and operated by Gwen Gilson, 55, came to national attention last week after 90 per cent of her latest batch of embryos, taken from breeding stock from the Noosa River, emerged deformed, including some with two heads.
“It’s case of putting two and two together; when my fish have such deformities and you find so many people with (cancer),” Ms Gilson said.
She believes a contaminant in the water is to blame.
“Over two years ago, we noticed that after the spraying drifted over our ponds, our next batch had convulsions and every time we have used water that has been exposed to the (Carbendazim) spray, we have the same results,” Ms Gilson said.
“We can only get normal births by using water from our other site or treating them with atropine.”
Mr Gilson said two neighbours had died in the past two years from cancer, including one man in his 40s.
Another woman, in her early 40s, has suspected ovarian cancer.
Roger Arbuckle, the owner and former operator of the macadamia plantation adjacent to the hatchery, is himself in remission from prostate cancer.
Carbendazim products, which are banned in the US, are currently being reviewed by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. The chemicals are used to control mould, spot, mildew, scorch, rot and blight in a variety of crops including cereals, fruit and macadamias.
Despite the recent concern, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will wait to consult with Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) before conducting further testing in the Noosa River catchment.
“The timing of sampling will be determined in consultation with DPI&F,” an EPA spokeswoman said.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/queensland/twoheaded-fish-linked-to-cancer-cluster/2009/01/21/1232471375335.html
Source Courier Mail: May 20 2009
CHEMICAL contamination blamed for millions of fish larvae having two heads has been found in a creek at Noosa.
But the State Government is playing down the find, saying it is of such low levels as to be insignificant.
The agricultural chemicals carbendazim, atrazine and metolachlor were found near the Sunland Fish Hatchery by Noosa Fish Health Taskforce scientists.
Hatchery owner Gwen Gilson and neighbours have argued that chemical contamination, believed to be from a macadamia farm, had caused millions of fish larvae to become grossly deformed and caused a cancer cluster among residents.
National Toxics Network spokeswoman Jo Immig, who has called for bans on carbendazim and endosulfan, said the findings confirmed her fears.
“We’re pleased they are at low levels but that doesn’t excuse their presence there at all,” Ms Immig said. “This is just one detection. How often does this go on?
“There are serious concerns about carbendazim and it is linked to birth defects. It shouldn’t be used.
“Atrazine also has been under the spotlight because it is an endocrine disruptor (a chemical that interferes with hormones) at very minute levels and is recognised in Europe as such.
“Atrazine has been linked as a breast and prostate cancer promoter.
“Any level of metolachlor in rivers is concerning because of evidence that it persists in the environment and bioaccumulates in edible species of fish. Its adverse effect on growth and development raises concerns on its effects on human health.”
DPI Minister Tim Mulherin said the chemicals were found in Cooloothin Creek, a waterway that borders the hatchery and the macadamia farm.
“The levels of chemicals detected were extremely low, are not a risk to human health and are well within relevant guidelines for such a setting,” Mr Mulherin said.
Samples taken upstream, closer to the two properties, did not detect agricultural chemicals.
Levels found were carbendazim at 0.4 of a nanogram per litre, atrazine at 9.65ng/L and metolachlor at 14.75ng/L.
A nanogram is one billionth of a gram. For carbendazim the level is roughly equivalent to a teaspoon of sugar dissolved in a litre of water then divided by 2500 million.
Sunshine Coast Central Area Population Health Unit spokesman Andrew Langley said the readings were negligible.
“The results do not indicate that there is a risk to human health from drinking the water or recreational use of the water,” he said.
Mr Mulherin said the source of the chemicals was yet to be determined.
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/link-to-mutant-fish-denied/story-e6freon6-1225713488004
BAROSSA WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM – 29 July 1998 ISSUE: Herbicide contamination in the Barossa water supply. Source: SA Water
https://hancockwatch.nfshost.com/docs/adelaide.html#TAG1
The former captain of Waratah Golf Club in Argenton NSW has been successfully prosecuted by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for his attempt in March 2014 to kill crows with meat laced with the pesticide, Chlorpyrifos. His actions resulted in the death of one dog Zoe, and sickness to another dog, Dozer.
The EPA prosecuted under the Pesticides Act 1999 for the use of a registered pesticide contrary to the approved label. On 15 April 2015, the defendant was convicted, fined $1,000 and ordered to pay the EPA’s costs of $1,500 by Toronto Local Court.
Magistrate Atkinson said, “When people use pesticides contrary to the label, there can be serious consequences, which was apparent because a dog took the bait and died. A strong message should be sent out because there is a good reason why pesticides are very restricted.”
Adam Gilligan, Acting Director North, NSW EPA, said, “The EPA takes very seriously its charter to administer environment protection legislation. We aim to maintain and enhance the state of the NSW environment and we regulate the actions of individuals, industry and government to uphold this goal.
“The EPA is the NSW regulator of the use of pesticides after they are sold. We act when a pesticide has been used contrary to a label and when the use of a pesticide can cause injury to another person, damage to their property or bring harm to plants or animals that weren’t the permitted target of the pesticide.
“The defendant in this case not only used a pesticide contrary to the label without a permit, he did not read the label and he knowingly used the pesticide in an attempt to harm a non-target animal. In leaving the pesticide-laced meat out in the open on the grounds of the golf course, he did so in a manner that totally disregarded the health of the environment and other animals,” said Mr Gilligan.
In June 2014 the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) prosecuted the defendant for the injury to the dogs. He was convicted of one count of aggravated cruelty to animals. For further information on the RSPCA prosecution visit: https://rspcansw.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/former-golf-club-captain-fined-after.html
The EPA administers the Pesticides Act 1999 which controls the use of pesticides in New South Wales. The Act aims to reduce the risks associated with the use of pesticides to human health, the environment, property, industry and trade. It also aims to promote collaborative and integrated policies for the use of pesticides.
Thomson Aviation has been fined $2,400 by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for using a pesticide contrary to the approved label, which resulted in an overspray that caused injury to people and non-targeted plants
Manager South West, NSW EPA, Craig Bretherton, said, on 4 May 2015, the EPA received a report from a neighbour adjacent to a cotton farm that was being treated with pesticides by Thomson Aviation.
“The neighbour claimed that her vegetable garden appeared to be damaged by pesticide overspray as brown markings were present on her plants and there was a significant amount of dead leaves at the base of her trees. She also claimed that on 30 April 2015, both she and her husband could physically feel the spray, with her husband experiencing a burning sensation in his eyes.
The next day the EPA attended the property and collected samples from the damaged plants. The results showed the pesticide Nail (active ingredient Carfentrazone-ethyl) was present in two of the three samples taken. Nail is a pesticide that is clearly labelled not to be used under unfavourable weather conditions, or from spray equipment as it may drift onto nearby susceptible plants, adjacent crops or pastures
The EPA required Thomson Aviation to supply spray records, chemical product labels and weather data for the 30 April 2015 incident. The records confirmed the aerial application of Nail pesticide, in addition to Prep (active ingredient Ethephon).
The EPA review of Bureau of Metrology data on the day of the incident showed a wind direction moving toward the neighbours’ property at a speed that was not appropriate for the aerial application of a pesticide.
Based on the findings of the investigations, the EPA is satisfied that Thomson Aviation had acted contrary to the Pesticides Act 1999 having used a pesticide contrary to its approved label and causing injury to persons and non-target plants. The company was fined $800 for each offence.
In making the decision the EPA also noted Thomson Aviation’s history of environmental non-compliance as the company had twice before been the subject of pesticide overspray investigations in Bilbul and Darlington Point NSW. On these occasions the company received a Formal Warning and Advisory Letter but the EPA has now issued these fine as an incentive for the company to improve its practices.
Mr Bretherton said, we do not want to see a repeat of these incidents and the company is on notice that any future incidents will attach a stronger regulatory response, including potential court action.
Mr Bretherton continued, “Penalty notices are one of a number of tools the EPA can use to achieve environmental compliance. The EPA takes in a range of factors into account before delivering a proportionate regulatory response, including the degree of environmental harm, potential health impacts, compliance history, public interest and best environmental outcomes. In this case, a penalty notice was the appropriate response.”
For more information about the EPA’s regulatory tools, see the EPA Compliance Policy www.epa.nsw.gov.au/legislation/130251epacompl.htm
To report pollution incidents contact the EPA’s 24hr Environment Line on 131 555.
Vineyard operator Rex D’Aquino has been convicted and fined $15,000 in Orange Local Court and ordered to pay the prosecutor’s costs of $20,000, after pleading guilty to polluting waters on Highland Heritage Estate, near Orange.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) prosecuted Mr D’Aquino after he directed that the residual contents of 21 drums, containing the pesticide chlorpyrifos, be emptied into a constructed stormwater drain on the Estate property in January 2014. The drain flows downwards to Summer Hill Creek.
Mr D’Aquino pleaded guilty to one charge of polluting waters contrary to section 120(1) of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.
“Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphorus pesticide used to protect crops such as cotton, is highly toxic and poses a significant risk to aquatic life, animals and humans when released into the environment in high concentrations,” said Director South Branch Gary Whytcross.
“The EPA prosecuted Mr D’Aquino because his actions posed a real risk of harm to the environment, within a drinking water catchment.
“When handling pesticide containers it is essential to ensure that they are rinsed thoroughly and that any residual contents and the container are disposed of appropriately.
“The EPA stresses to all business operators and individuals that they have a responsibility to think about their actions and the potential impacts on the environment and the community.”
The EPA must take a range of factors into account before delivering a proportionate regulatory response, including the degree of environmental harm, whether or not there are any real or potential health impacts, if the action of the offender was deliberate, compliance history, public interest and best environmental outcomes.
For more information about the EPA’s regulatory tools, see the EPA Compliance Policy https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/legislation/prosguid.htm.
Contact: EPA Public Affairs
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a $15 000 penalty notice and an official caution to Cheminova Australia for breaching the conditions of its Environment Protection Licence.
EPA Hunter Manager, Adam Gilligan, said that Cheminova had failed to properly store potentially dangerous waste liquids in appropriately bunded areas.
“Bunded areas are designed to contain spillages and leaks of liquids and to facilitate clean-up operations,” Mr Gilligan said.
“Cheminova manufactures insecticide, fungicide and herbicide at its Wyong site. During the manufacturing process there are dangerous waste materials produced. It is critical that these are stored, handled and disposed of in accordance with the conditions in the company’s environment protection licence. This is to ensure that the environment and community are protected.”
During an inspection of the site on 29 January 2016, EPA officers found that the secondary spill containment system at the premises was not being properly maintained and would not have captured a spill of waste material if it occurred.
Following the inspection, and as a result of discussions with Cheminova, approximately 260,000 litres of waste products were removed from the site and disposed of at a licensed facility. The remainder of the waste products were moved into appropriately bunded areas.
Cheminova was issued a penalty notice for failing to store waste material in a competent manner. The company was also issued an official caution for failing to operate plant and equipment in a proper and efficient manner. The EPA will monitor the environmental performance of the facility.
Penalty notices are one of a number of tools the EPA can use to achieve environmental compliance, including formal warnings, licence conditions, notices and directions, mandatory audits, enforceable undertakings, legally binding pollution reduction programs and prosecutions.
The EPA must also take a range of factors into account before delivering a proportionate regulatory response, including the degree of environmental harm, whether or not there are any real or potential health impacts, if the action of the offender was deliberate, compliance history, public interest and best environmental outcomes.
For more information about the EPA’s regulatory tools, see the EPA Compliance Policy https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/legislation/prosguid.htm.
Fire officers will tour houses in the Millmerran region today to check water tanks and roofs for hazardous chemicals after an explosion on the back of a truck this morning.
The accident happened when a truck carrying 20-litre drums of pesticides and herbicides caught fire and exploded on the Gore Highway at Millmerran around 1.30am today.
A two-kilometre exclusion zone has been set up around the site, with a local family evacuated from their home.
Incident controller with the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, Eddie Lacko said the highway would remain closed while they awaited resources coming from Brisbane.
“We’re getting a plan together to decontaminate the site and remove the trailer as well as the chemicals involved,” Mr Lacko said.
“The chemicals are all mixed together so we are not sure exactly what there is.
“I have a scientific officer en route to provide us with some advice before we move in to clean up.
“I couldn’t give an accurate timeframe of when this will happen.”
Mr Lacko said there was no longer an airborne chemical threat but some risk still remained.
“There are a couple of houses in the vicinity where I will send some officers to do some monitoring of water tanks and roofs after smoke fallout from last night,” he said.
Ken Brudell, owner of the local Millmerran Rams Head Hotel said residents had been given little information about the accident.
“There were a couple of explosions at around 1.30am and then the fire brigade charged out,” Mr Brundell said.
“There’s been a horrible chemical burn smell through town all morning.”
Firefighters wearing protective gear and breathing apparatus extinguished the blaze around 5am.
The truck driver escaped without injury after he unhitched the trailer which was subsequently destroyed in the explosion.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/highway-chemical-explosion-local-homes-to-be-checked-20100608-xu38.html?skin=smart-phone
EARLIER: A dozen people have been exposed to the potentially deadly herbicide, Paraquat.
The gas workers from Goondiwindi were taken to the local hospital yesterday at about noon.
Instead the group transported themselves to the Goondiwindi Hospital.
It was placed into a code brown state of emergency.
Paraquat is a widely in Australia as herbicide. It is banned in 32 countries.
The chemical is used on Australian farms to control grasses and broadleaf weeds.
https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/poison-puts-12-workers-in-hospital/1719931/
Testing, new study after lands inquiry
Ballarat Courier
March 9, 2016,
Lands department workers who were exposed to dangerous chemicals decades ago are closer to an answer on sicknesses caused by their government work spraying pesticides.
The Courier understands the government has accepted and will act on the recommendation that another university study into the links between herbicide 2,4,5-T to soft tissue sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma be commissioned.
The inquiry’s first recommendation, part of its report released in November 2015, followed The Courier’s investigation into the treatment of the workers for many years until the 1980s.
“Recommendation a): Updating the 1980’s Worker Health Study for the same group of sprayers (1951 to 1970) and comparing with the Victorian Cancer registry for evidence of causation or lack thereof,” the report said.
The full government response to the report will be released on Thursday.
Environment Minister Lisa Neville said it was a “really critical bit of work” and that the government had worked thoroughly through the report and its recommendations.
A 1982 study also commissioned by the government did not find a link between those two types of cancer and 2,4,5-T, but the new study would look again at the cases and test the sprayers still alive in Victoria.
The Courier identified 17 former Victorian Lands Department weed eradicators in the region who have died, mostly from illness including various cancers.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified TCDD, a contaminant of 2,4,5-T as ‘carcinogenic to humans’ since 1997 and ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans’ since 1982.
The new study, one of several major responses to be announced Thursday, would be completed by 2018.
The inquiry report found evidence workers in the region were exposed to more than double today’s standard tolerable intake of dangerous chemicals, which could be linked to cancer.
The report also found that despite reviews into worker’s health and chemical safety which were completed, findings and recommendations were rarely implemented.
By May 1944 strategies were in place to aerially spray areas to control malaria. It was widely used in Papua New Guinea and in the Island Campaigns in the South West Pacific (it was also used in the Middle East). Servicemen were exposed to DDT by a number of ways including aerial spraying, direct spraying of bodies of water which mosquitoes could use for breeding and hand spraying (knapsack) of living and sleeping quarters.
In some Army Divisions in New Guinea, malarial casualties made up 90% of all casualties due to sickness and more than 80% of all casualties, including battle casualties.
DDT has now been linked to a number of diseases including pancreatic cancer.
By the time he retired in 2000, it was Parks Victoria.
“The (20-litre) drums just went in the back of the ute, next to the Esky with our lunch,” he said.
He said clothes would often be saturated with the chemical and workers did not wear gloves.
“There were no handwashing facilities. You’d just sit down and eat your lunch,” he said.
“When my son was born (in 1987) he had an extra finger on his hand,” Mr Hughes said.
“It was removed, but I always wondered if that was (linked to) chemical exposure.”
“Was it because she washed my contaminated clothing?” he asked.
Pesticide & Herbicide Residues in Sediments and Seagrasses from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and Queensland Coast – Marine Pollution Bulletin Vol 41. Nos 7-12 pp279-287. 2000
Barron River Site 14
3.6m: Diuron 0.3 ug/kg, DDE 0.15ug/kg
3.2m Diuron 0.4 ug/kg, Dieldrin 0.09ug/kg, DDT 0.05ug/kg, DDE 0.26ug/kg
Pesticide & Herbicide Residues in Sediments and Seagrasses from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and Queensland Coast – Marine Pollution Bulletin Vol 41. Nos 7-12 pp279-287. 2000
Daintree River Site 12 Diuron 0.2 ug/kg
Pesticide & Herbicide Residues in Sediments and Seagrasses from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and Queensland Coast – Marine Pollution Bulletin Vol 41. Nos 7-12 pp279-287. 2000
Moreton Bay West Site 35 Diuron 0.6 ug/kg
Pesticide & Herbicide Residues in Sediments and Seagrasses from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and Queensland Coast – Marine Pollution Bulletin Vol 41. Nos 7-12 pp279-287. 2000
Cardwell Site 19 Diuron 1,.7ug/kg
Pesticide & Herbicide Residues in Sediments and Seagrasses from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and Queensland Coast – Marine Pollution Bulletin Vol 41. Nos 7-12 pp279-287. 2000
Cairns Site 15 Diuron 0.5ug/kg
On 15 October 1968, a Supply and Transport staff officer on HQ 1ATF, wrote to the Deputy Assistant Director of Supply and Transportion HQ AFV, informing him of the results of a survey of certain expense supplies that were demanded by units at Nui Dat over a three-month period. The quantities of insecticides being consumed at Nui Dat were
Dieldrin – 600 gallons – Extremely Toxic
Chlordane – 520 gallons – Extremely Toxic
Lindane Powder – 216 two ounce cans – Extremely Toxic
Diazinon Liquid – 600 gallons – Very Toxic
Diazinon Powder – 300 pounds – Very Toxic
DDT – 222 gallons – Moderately Toxic
Malathion – 520 gallons – Slightly Toxic
https://www.radschool.org.au/magazines/Vol50/pdf/Insecticide%20deceit_.pdf
“First you’d see the spotter plane flying higher to check things out, then the big duster coming in just above the treetops,” he said.
The dust was to keep the jungle and undergrowth down to remove enemy cover, and it drifted everywhere, settling on soldiers, trucks and tents, and washing into water tanks. “We were cooking in this water, showering in it every day, drinking it,” says David, who now lives with Dianne at Saratoga on the Central Coast. “Afterwards you’d get this prickly heat, and it affected my skin.
https://www.smh.com.au/news/national/done-and-dusted/2008/05/30/1211654312886.html?page=fullpage
The Tariff Board discovered this company, Chemical Industries Kwinana, was avoiding tariff on cheap chemicals from Singapore to make 2,4,5-T herbicide.
Some of the imports were found to have been damaged by fire which would have further concentrated dioxin, the component poisonous to humans.
WOMAN ON PHONE, FROM ‘THIS DAY TONIGHT’, 1972: If you won’t let us come down, then you have got something to hide.
As the ABC’s ‘This Day Tonight’ found in 1972, Chemical Industries Kwinana did not welcome outside attention.
The company is now defunct, but a WA parliamentary committee is planning to subpoena the son of the company’s deceased managing director.
ROBIN CHAPPLE, WA GREENS MP: The ability to subpoena or call before the inquiry agents of the company and the company to see if we can access their records.
MICK O’DONNELL: You will force them to testify?
ROBIN CHAPPLE: That is our intention.
CARL DRYSDALE: I reckon London to a brick it was stuff from Singapore, fire damaged Singapore 2,4,5-T, and they dumped it here in the Kimberley thinking that there’ll be no — out of sight, out of mind, you know.
https://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2004/s1047285.htm
Jacksons Creek Sunbury Site: JHW
Dec 13: Simazine 0.097ug/L, Bifenthrin 0.012ug/L
March 14: Diuron 0.017ug/L, Simazine 0.039ug/L, Metalaxyl 0.032ug/L, Penconazole 0.017ug/L
April 14: Simazine 0.058ug/L
Source: Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management. Technical Report 46B: Identifying the Factors Influencing Aquatic Ecosystem Health in the Upper Jacksons Creek Catchment. February 2015
https://capim.com.au/uploads/Jacksons%20Creek%20Final%20Report%20-%20Part%20B%20%28CAPIM%20study%29%20for%20web.pdf
Jacksons Creek at Clarkefield Site: JSC
Dec 13: Simazine 0.09ug/L
April 14: Simazine 0.056ug/L
Source: Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management. Technical Report 46B: Identifying the Factors Influencing Aquatic Ecosystem Health in the Upper Jacksons Creek Catchment. February 2015
https://capim.com.au/uploads/Jacksons%20Creek%20Final%20Report%20-%20Part%20B%20%28CAPIM%20study%29%20for%20web.pdf
Jacksons Creek d/s Riddells Creek Site: JDR
Dec 13: Simazine 0.18ug/L
March 14: Simazine 0.046ug/L, Metalaxyl 0.029ug/L, Penconazole 0.017ug/L
April 14: Simazine 0.081ug/L, Triclopyr 2.9ug/L
Source: Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management. Technical Report 46B: Identifying the Factors Influencing Aquatic Ecosystem Health in the Upper Jacksons Creek Catchment. February 2015
https://capim.com.au/uploads/Jacksons%20Creek%20Final%20Report%20-%20Part%20B%20%28CAPIM%20study%29%20for%20web.pdf
Riddells Creek Site: RUJ
Dec 13: Simazine 0.022ug/L
March 14: Metalaxyl 0.03ug/L, Penconazole 0.017ug/L
April 14: Simazine 0.061ug/L, Triclopyr 2.9ug/L
Source: Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management. Technical Report 46B: Identifying the Factors Influencing Aquatic Ecosystem Health in the Upper Jacksons Creek Catchment. February 2015
https://capim.com.au/uploads/Jacksons%20Creek%20Final%20Report%20-%20Part%20B%20%28CAPIM%20study%29%20for%20web.pdf
Jacksons Creek upstream of Riddells Creek confluence Site: JUR
Dec 13: Simazine 0.13ug/L
March 14: Chlorpyrifos 0.021ug/L, Ethion 0.035ug/L, Pirimicarb 0.017ug/L, Piperonyl Butoxide 0.019ug/L, Metalaxyl 0.04ug/L, Penconazole 0.019ug/L
April 14: Simazine 0.085ug/L
Source: Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management. Technical Report 46B: Identifying the Factors Influencing Aquatic Ecosystem Health in the Upper Jacksons Creek Catchment. February 2015
https://capim.com.au/uploads/Jacksons%20Creek%20Final%20Report%20-%20Part%20B%20%28CAPIM%20study%29%20for%20web.pdf
Jacksons Creek Gisborne Site: JRR
Dec 13: Simazine 0.08ug/L
April 14: Simazine 0.076ug/L
Source: Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management. Technical Report 46B: Identifying the Factors Influencing Aquatic Ecosystem Health in the Upper Jacksons Creek Catchment. February 2015
https://capim.com.au/uploads/Jacksons%20Creek%20Final%20Report%20-%20Part%20B%20%28CAPIM%20study%29%20for%20web.pdf
Jacksons Creek Gisborne Site: JDRWP
Dec 13: Simazine 0.1ug/L
March 14: Metalaxyl 0.028ug/L, Penconazole 0.018ug/L
April 14: Bifenthrin (sediment) 1.01mg/kg
Source: Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management. Technical Report 46B: Identifying the Factors Influencing Aquatic Ecosystem Health in the Upper Jacksons Creek Catchment. February 2015
https://capim.com.au/uploads/Jacksons%20Creek%20Final%20Report%20-%20Part%20B%20%28CAPIM%20study%29%20for%20web.pdf
Jacksons Creek Gisborne Site: RWP
Dec 13: Bifenthrin (sediment) 0.21mg/kg, Dimethomorph (sediment) 0.82mg/kg. Simazine 0.34ug/L
March 14: Diuron 0.13ug/L,, Simazine 0.73ug/L, Piperonyl Butoxide 0.022ug/L, Iprodione 0.036ug/L, Metalaxyl 0.023ug/L, Penconazole 0.017ug/L
April 14: Diuron 0.08ug/L, Simazine 0.2ug/L, Piperonyl Butoxide 0.032ug/L
Source: Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management. Technical Report 46B: Identifying the Factors Influencing Aquatic Ecosystem Health in the Upper Jacksons Creek Catchment. February 2015
https://capim.com.au/uploads/Jacksons%20Creek%20Final%20Report%20-%20Part%20B%20%28CAPIM%20study%29%20for%20web.pdf
Jacksons Creek Gisborne Site: JURWP
Dec 13: Bifenthrin (sediment) 0.3mg/kg, Simazine 0.025ug/L, Tebuconazole 0.01ug/L
March 14: Metalaxyl 0.031ug/L, Penconazole 0.018ug/L
April 14: Bifenthrin (sediment) 0.82mg/kg
Source: Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management. Technical Report 46B: Identifying the Factors Influencing Aquatic Ecosystem Health in the Upper Jacksons Creek Catchment. February 2015
https://capim.com.au/uploads/Jacksons%20Creek%20Final%20Report%20-%20Part%20B%20%28CAPIM%20study%29%20for%20web.pdf
Jacksons Creek Gisborne Stormwater Drain Site: GSW
December 2013
Atrazine 0.11ug/L, Diuron 0.03ug/L, Hexazinone 0.018ug/L, Simazine 0.2ug/L, Difenconazole 0.012ug/L, Flusilazole 0.012ug/L, Penconazole 0.012ug/L, Propiconazole 0.017ug/L, Propiconazole 0.012ug/L Tebuconazole 0.02ug/L
Diuron (sediment) 0.31mg/kg, Simazine (sediment) 1.19mg/kg, Bifenthrin (Sediment) 0.71kg/mg, Diphenylamine (Sediment) 0.28kg/mg, O-phenylphenol (Sediment) 3.11mg/kg
Source: Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management. Technical Report 46B: Identifying the Factors Influencing Aquatic Ecosystem Health in the Upper Jacksons Creek Catchment. February 2015
https://capim.com.au/uploads/Jacksons%20Creek%20Final%20Report%20-%20Part%20B%20%28CAPIM%20study%29%20for%20web.pdf
Jacksons Creek Gisborne Stormwater Drain Site: NGS
December 2013
Atrazine 0.013ug/L, Diuron 0.021ug/L, Simazine 0.29ug/L, Piperonyl Butoxide 0.011ug/L
Bifenthrin (Sediment) 0.24kg/mg, Permethrin (sediment) 2.21kg/mg, Dimethomorph 0.22kg/mg, Diphenylamine (Sediment) 0.78kg/mg, O-phenylphenol (Sediment) 2.2mg/kg
Source: Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management. Technical Report 46B: Identifying the Factors Influencing Aquatic Ecosystem Health in the Upper Jacksons Creek Catchment. February 2015
https://capim.com.au/uploads/Jacksons%20Creek%20Final%20Report%20-%20Part%20B%20%28CAPIM%20study%29%20for%20web.pdf
Jacksons Creek Gisborne Site: JCC
December 2013
Diphenylamine (Sediment) 0.44kg/mg, O-phenylphenol (Sediment) 3.78mg/kg
Source: Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management. Technical Report 46B: Identifying the Factors Influencing Aquatic Ecosystem Health in the Upper Jacksons Creek Catchment. February 2015
https://capim.com.au/uploads/Jacksons%20Creek%20Final%20Report%20-%20Part%20B%20%28CAPIM%20study%29%20for%20web.pdf
Jacksons Creek Gisborne Site: JPS
December 2013
Atrazine 0.021ug/L, Diuron 0.02ug/L, Simazine 0.043ug/L, Piperonyl Butoxide 0.14ug/L
Diphenylamine (Sediment) 2.15kg/mg, O-phenylphenol (Sediment) 2.68mg/kg, Permethrin (Sediment) 0.63kg/mg, Bifenthrin (Sediment) 1.79mg/kg
March 2014
Chlorpyrifos 0.019ug/L, Pirimicarb 0.017ug/L, Metalaxyl 0.033ug/L, Penconazole 0.017ug/L
April 2014
Diuron 0.035ug/L, Piperonyl Butoxide 0.04ug/L, Bifenthrin (Sediment) 1.30kg/mg
Source: Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management. Technical Report 46B: Identifying the Factors Influencing Aquatic Ecosystem Health in the Upper Jacksons Creek Catchment. February 2015
https://capim.com.au/uploads/Jacksons%20Creek%20Final%20Report%20-%20Part%20B%20%28CAPIM%20study%29%20for%20web.pdf
Upper Jacksons Creek Site: JWF
December 2013
Diphenylamine 0.66kg/mg, O-phenylphenol 5.57mg/kg
Source: Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management. Technical Report 46B: Identifying the Factors Influencing Aquatic Ecosystem Health in the Upper Jacksons Creek Catchment. February 2015
https://capim.com.au/uploads/Jacksons%20Creek%20Final%20Report%20-%20Part%20B%20%28CAPIM%20study%29%20for%20web.pdf
Upper Jacksons Creek Site: JDG
December 2013
Diphenylamine 1.67kg/mg, O-phenylphenol 6.67mg/kg
Source: Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management. Technical Report 46B: Identifying the Factors Influencing Aquatic Ecosystem Health in the Upper Jacksons Creek Catchment. February 2015
https://capim.com.au/uploads/Jacksons%20Creek%20Final%20Report%20-%20Part%20B%20%28CAPIM%20study%29%20for%20web.pdf
The aim is to ensure that minimal end products remain following treatment.”
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19/07/2004 Aerial spraying report renews health concernsReporter: Jocelyn Nettleford 7.30 Report |
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KERRY O’BRIEN: A report commissioned by a small group of oyster farmers has reopened debate about the impact aerial spraying of pesticides and herbicides could have on waterways and public health. The report has found that aerial spraying of private forestry plantations on Tasmania’s east coast was linked to a major oyster kill early this year, and possibly to the mystery illness which is devastating the Tasmanian devil population. Some doctors have called for aerial spraying to be banned until the broader risks to public health can be properly assessed. For its part, the forestry industry has welcomed an audit of its chemical usage, but maintains that aerial spraying poses no health or environmental threat. Jocelyn Nettlefold reports. JIM HARRIS, OYSTER FARMER: Well, you can’t help but feel angry and frustrated because, you know, I mean, collectively we lost here at Christmas time around about $1.5 million worth of stock. JOCELYN NETTLEFOLD: For the oyster farmers at Georges Bay, on Tasmania’s east coast, it was a devastating blow – the sudden death of thousands of shellfish. JIM HARRIS: These aren’t big businesses – they’re small businesses – and in an area like this, you know, we can’t sustain those sorts of losses. JOCELYN NETTLEFOLD: Many began to suspect a link to the recent growth in the number of private forestry plantations around Georges Bay. Aerial spraying of pesticides and herbicides made them wonder about the quality of the water running from the upper catchments. So the oyster farmers commissioned Sydney water scientist Dr Marcus Scammell to investigate. DR MARCUS SCAMMELL, MARINE ECOLOGIST: Initially we looked at the different types of practices in the catchment, but it wasn’t until we discovered that there was a helicopter accident where the helicopter had been using chemicals in aerial spraying that we really started to look at what was going on in the forestry plantations themselves. JOCELYN NETTLEFOLD: While the pilot survived the crash with a broken leg, the spill of chemicals has reopened a sensitive public health debate. Tests on the crash site revealed very high levels of the insecticide alpha cypermethrin, which is extremely toxic to marine life, and herbicides Atrazine and Simazine, which have been linked to tumours in mammals. The Australian Medical Association has called for a ban on aerial spraying near water catchments in Tasmania until it’s proven to be safe. DR ALISON BLEANEY, ST HELENS GP: How we can overcome having toxic chemicals put into catchments that drinking water comes out of? JOCELYN NETTLEFOLD: Sydney GP Dr Mark Donohue has been studying the health effects of pesticides and herbicides for more than a decade. DR MARK DONOHUE, SYDNEY GP: So if they get into the water supply or if there is a regular contact, the real risk is that in five, 10, 20 and 30 years’ time, we see cancer rates escalating. EVAN ROLLEY, FORESTRY TASMANIA: We’ve done over 5,200 samples over the last 10 years and only three pesticides ever turned up. That was Atrazine, that was nine years ago, and as soon as it turned up, we ceased using Atrazine. JOCELYN NETTLEFOLD: While Forestry Tasmania is responsible for about 20 per cent of the water catchments in Tasmania, it’s not responsible for the private plantations at Georges Bay. But spokesman Evan Rolley maintains the forestry industry should not automatically be blamed. EVAN ROLLEY: I think the real challenge is to make sure there’s a full audit of all of the catchment, not just the forested part, but the agricultural and the urban part of the landscape. DR DAVID LEAMAN, GEOHYDROLOGIST: People have just ignored the realities and the risks. And we haven’t been careful enough. We haven’t applied the duty of care. JOCELYN NETTLEFOLD: Geohydrologist Dr David Leaman claims controls on aerial spraying aren’t being enforced. DR DAVID LEAMAN: There’s certainly no real assurances about the dosage or the control of usage. There are too many cases where sprays have gone over people’s roofs, where the water’s gone into their tanks, where people have been sprayed. JOCELYN NETTLEFOLD: In the wake of the Scammell report, the Tasmanian Government has ordered that the local water supply around Georges Bay be tested for chemical residues. PAUL LENNON, TASMANIAN PREMIER: Very serious allegations have been raised in the report, we accept that. And we want them properly analysed and that is what we are ensuring will occur. JOCELYN NETTLEFOLD: But humans aren’t the only mammals at risk. Dr Scammell also found that aerial spraying may be responsible for a mysterious disease which is devastating the Tasmanian devil population. DR MARCUS SCAMMELL: As it turned out, there was a strong correlation between the beginning of oyster problems and the beginning of the Tasmanian devil’s issues in terms of facial tumours and mortality. JOCELYN NETTLEFOLD: Wildlife biologist Nick Mooney, who has been monitoring the decline in the devil population, believes aerial spraying can’t explain the extent of the deadly epidemic. NICK MOONEY, FACIAL DEVIL DISEASE TASK FORCE: This coincidence, this correlation, it’s no surprise to us. We do have devils with this disease in many areas that there’s been no spraying, so it’s not an exact overlay by any means, and there’s a lot other reasons we have to look into. This has a priority but it has to compete with other issues. JOCELYN NETTLEFOLD: The science within the Scammell report into the Georges Bay oyster kill will long be debated, but it will go down in history as a wake-up call to the issue of chemical spraying in Tasmania. The report found the general breakdown in environmental protection and human health protection processes at every level of government. DR DAVID LEAMAN: We’ve got to become more realistic and more caring about, one, the people that are affected by this, and then secondly, the long-term effect on the environment in which our children are going to have to live, so it’s people again. JOCELYN NETTLEFOLD: The Tasmanian Government admits it does not know the volume of chemicals entering the state’s waterways. It will start an inquiry by examining the records of spraying contractors to find out exactly what chemicals were discharged, where and when. https://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2004/s1157381.htm |
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Karen Lavin graduated from the university on Saturday with a PhD in chemistry.
Endosulfan has since also been banned in Australia.
“It’s a global thing. It’s amazing how far they can travel,” she said.
Traces of the insecticide chlorpyrifos, from Canterbury, had also been found.
https://www.odt.co.nz/campus/university-otago/208232/pesticide-blown-across-tasman
A WATER QUALITY ISSUES ANALYSIS FOR THE JOHNSTONE RIVER BASIN
Report No. 11/05
for Terrain NRM
Stephen Lewis and Jon Brodie
Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research, James Cook University
Final report April 2011
Agrochemicals
Herbicides
… Insecticides
…Russell and Hales (1993) detected the insecticide residues DDE and dieldrin in oysters, mussels, mudcrabs, bony bream and catfish in the Johnstone River, although levels were thought to be of little concern. More recently, Negri et al. (2009) detected dieldrin and heptachlor in mudcrabs of the Johnstone River estuary….
Chlorpyrifos (up to 0.7 μgkg-1) and DDE (up to 0.3 μgkg-1) residues have been detected in the sediments of the Johnstone River estuary (Duke et al., 2003) while residues of lindane (0.08 – 0.19 μgkg-1), dieldrin (0.15 – 0.37 μgkg-1) and DDE (0.16 – 0.25 μgkg-1) have been detected in sub-tidal sediments in the Johnstone River in monitoring conducted in 1998 (Haynes et al., 2000). The organochlorine insecticides among these (dieldrin, heptachlor, lindane, DDT (DDE)) were banned from use in Australia in the 1980s and 1990s.
A WATER QUALITY ISSUES ANALYSIS FOR THE JOHNSTONE RIVER BASIN
Report No. 11/05
for Terrain NRM
Stephen Lewis and Jon Brodie
Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research, James Cook University
Final report April 2011
Agrochemicals
… Insecticides
Chlorpyrifos and protiophos were the only insecticides detected in the passive samplers deployed in the North Johnstone River (Kapernick et al., 2007; Shaw et al., 2010). Chlorpyrifos is widely used in the sugar industry to control the greyback cane beetle/grub while protiophos is used in the banana industry (J. Armour, pers comm., 2009). The detection of chlorpyrifos in passive samplers is a concern given that this insecticide’s ANZECC and ARMCANZ (2000) guidelines for freshwaters (0.01 μg/L and 0.00004 μg/L for the 95% and 99% protection values, respectively – high reliability guideline) is within this detection range. The passive samplers accumulated 15 ng (or 0.015 μg) of chlorpyrifos over a 12 day deployment in the dry season (Shaw et al., 2010) meaning that >1 ng (>0.001 μg) must have been accumulated per day which could be within the range of the 99% protection guideline (although a conversion to a mean concentration was not performed). Unfortunately, no guideline has been developed to examine the toxicity of protiophos, although this insecticide is in the same chemical group as chlorpyrifos (organophosphate) and so it may also be of similar concern in the Johnstone Basin. Russell and Hales (1993) detected the insecticide residues DDE and dieldrin in oysters, mussels, mudcrabs, bony bream and catfish in the Johnstone River, although levels were thought to be of little concern. More recently, Negri et al. (2009) detected dieldrin and heptachlor in mudcrabs of the Johnstone River esturay….
Fungicides
Tebuconazole was the only fungicide detected in passive samplers deployed in the North Johnstone River (Kapernick et al., 2007). Tebuconazole is used in the banana industry. No guideline value is available to examine the potential toxicity of tebuconazole.
A WATER QUALITY ISSUES ANALYSIS FOR THE JOHNSTONE RIVER BASIN
Report No. 11/05
for Terrain NRM
Stephen Lewis and Jon Brodie
Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research, James Cook University
Final report April 2011
Agrochemicals
Herbicides
… Diuron, atrazine, hexazinone and tebuthiuron residues were detected in ‘grab’ samples collected along a transect from the Johnstone River to Russell Island (Kapernick et al., 2006). While herbicide residues detected were at relatively low levels (~5 ng/L diuron; others at 1-2 ng/L) compared to guidelines and effect concentrations, this sampling was conducted 2 weeks after Tropical Cyclone Larry had crossed the coast and so concentrations may have been much higher in the earlier stages of the plume.
A WATER QUALITY ISSUES ANALYSIS FOR THE JOHNSTONE RIVER BASIN
Report No. 11/05
for Terrain NRM
Stephen Lewis and Jon Brodie
Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research, James Cook University
Final report April 2011
Agrochemicals
Herbicides
… Russell and Hales (1993; Russell et al., 1996) detected atrazine in mussels and mudcrabs, 2,4-D in mussels, mudcrabs and catfish and 2,4,5-T in catfish in the Johnstone River which suggested that these herbicides had some bio-accumulation potential. Of these herbicides detected in the water and aquatic animals, it appears that concentrations of diuron, 2,4-D and tebuthiuron would be of most concern in the Johnstone Basin. Moreover, the detection of 2,4,5-T also raises some concerns with the potential associated dioxins in this herbicide.
A WATER QUALITY ISSUES ANALYSIS FOR THE JOHNSTONE RIVER BASIN
Report No. 11/05
for Terrain NRM
Stephen Lewis and Jon Brodie
Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research, James Cook University
Final report April 2011
Agrochemicals
Herbicides
… More recent monitoring in the North Johnstone River with passive samplers has detected diuron, simazine, atrazine, hexazinone, tebuthiuron and pendimethalin (Kapernick et al., 2006; 2007; Shaw et al., 2010).
A WATER QUALITY ISSUES ANALYSIS FOR THE JOHNSTONE RIVER BASIN
Report No. 11/05
for Terrain NRM
Stephen Lewis and Jon Brodie
Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research, James Cook University
Final report April 2011
Agrochemicals
Herbicides
A recent study from the neighbouring Tully catchment showed that a number of photosystem-II inhibiting herbicides were regularly detected in the freshwater streams and also offshore in river water plumes in the Great Barrier Reef lagoon at concentrations either exceeding ANZECC and ARMCANZ (2000) guidelines or above known negative effect levels for marine plants (Bainbridge et al., 2009a). A clear relationship exists between the area of sugarcane and the mean diuron concentration (Bainbridge et al., 2009a). Monitoring in the Johnstone River catchment in the 1990s detected six herbicides including diuron (<2.3 μg/L), atrazine (≤0.7 μg/L), 2,4-D (0.18 – 15.6 μg/L), ametryn, trifluralin, MCPA and 2,4,5-T (Hunter et al., 2001).
Newtons Ridge winery hit by spray drift
Owner David Falk estimates the loss of fruit will cost him about $37,000 in lost wine production.
He said the spray had shrivelled the vine leaves and dwarfed the growth of new vine shoots.
The vines, which were presently at flowering stage, would not bear fruit, Mr Falk said.
He found the damage early last week and believes the spraying might have occurred in the week prior.
Newtons Ridge winery is located on Cooriemungle Road at Cooriemungle, south of Simpson.
“It came as a shock,” Mr Falk said.
“I thought at first I had downy mildew,” he said.
The vines were being tested to determine what chemical was responsible, Mr Falk said.
“There is nothing we can do to fix the situation this year.
“I just hope next year it does not happen again,” Mr Falk said.
That damage lost him between one third and a half of his sauvignon blanc grapes.
“Think about the wind,” he said.
“It could have come from 10 kilometres away,” Mr Falk said.
He said neighbouring farms worked in well with his winery and he was not blaming anyone.
https://www.standard.net.au/story/3418335/spray-drift-damages-south-west-vineyard/
Spray drift kills garden plants
Southern Highland News
“Winds were up to 20km/h. You cannot spray in wind, full stop,” she said.
“Not only were my plants covered in it, but I also was covered in it.”
Mrs Coulson said adding to her concerns was the amount of chemicals being used.
Mrs Coulson said Wingecarribee Council was very apologetic and equally concerned.
“They had no idea this contractor was spraying from inside the truck,” she said.
The council’s parks and open spaces co-ordinator, Greg Bray, confirmed the chemical used was Grazon.
https://www.southernhighlandnews.com.au/story/1070752/spray-drift-kills-garden-plants/
This report was published in July by the Soil & Health Association of New Zealand
More endosulfan in tomatoes – this time Australian ones are worse!
National Toxics network has written to the Minister of agriculture in Australia (see above)
More information on this topic can be found at www.ntn.org.au
Cotton Insecticide Contaminates Calves May 20, 1996 Newborn calves in Australia are still being contaminated with hazardous levels of the insecticide Helix (chlorfluazuron), two years after cattle were fed cotton trash containing residues of the pesticide. After finding high levels of Helix in the cattle, several countries suspended beef imports from Australia. Government inspectors believe that the pesticide is being passed to calves through suckling. Due to a drought in 1994, many Australian farmers were forced to feed cattle alternative feeds, which in some cases included cotton trash containing chlorfluazuron residues. National Toxics Network, an Australian public interest group, states that Helix was given special government approval for use on cotton despite being provisionally registered due to concerns about its persistence in the environment. Recent research by the Meat Research Corporation (Australia) found that Helix residues may never disappear from older cattle, and that farmers may be able to sell contaminated cattle only for pet food. In 1995, cattle farmers filed a class action suit against the Australian government and Crop Care Australasia, the company that marketed Helix in Australia. The suit seeks compensation for losses in beef sales resulting from the initial pesticide contamination, and was filed before anyone knew that losses would continue in the next generation of cattle. The suit, which represents approximately 460 cattle farmers, alleges that chlorfluazuron was registered without adequate testing. Crop Care Australasia announced last year that it was withdrawing the pesticide from the Australian market as an "act of good faith." Farmers in New South Wales and Queensland may file a similar lawsuit against the Australian government due to cattle contamination by the organochlorine insecticide endosulfan. The farmers' lawyer charged that the Australian National Registration Authority labeled endosulfan inadequately. Approximately 23 farms were placed in quarantine after inspectors discovered the insecticide in beef cattle at levels above the maximum residue limit, possibly due to spray drift contaminating grazing land. In Australia, endosulfan is used primarily on cotton. Endosulfan has been targeted for global phaseout by pesticide reform groups worldwide due to its extreme toxicity (see PANUPS June 16, 1995 and June 16, 1994). It has also been identified as an endocrine disruptor. National Toxics Network stated that the endosulfan and chlorfluazuron cases are not the first reports of Australian cattle being contaminated with pesticides. In 1987, organochlorine residues were detected in beef shipped to the U.S., and since that time Australian beef exporters have lost millions of dollars due to concerns about chemical contamination. Sources: Agrow, February 16, 1996; January 19, 1996; February 3, 1995; National Toxics Network Sentinel, February 1995. https://www.ibiblio.org/london/agriculture/forums/sustainable-agriculture2/msg00757.html
https://www.joc.com/maritime-news/beef-found-exceed-pesticide-limits_19870927.html
Radio National: The Law Report 9/2/16
What are the regulations and who do you call when chemical spray drift affects you?
A Closeburn resident wants to see laws enacted to ensure people have their rights protected when it comes to the air they breathe.
Denise Ravenscroft was hospitalised last month after inadvertently inhaling weedkiller that was being sprayed on her neighbour’s property.
Mrs Ravenscroft, who has lived on her property for about 30 years, began smelling a “serious, strong chemical smell”.
She discovered contractors spraying a herbicide weedkiller, which she later found out to be called ‘Hotshot’, on the boundary of the properties.
“I saw someone spraying with a fire fighting hose. It was the craziest thing I’ve ever seen in my whole entire life,” Mrs Ravenscroft, 60, said.
The chemical was being sprayed a “considerable distance” and, out of concern for herself and local fauna, she asked the workers to stop, which they did.
However, Mrs Ravenscroft’s symptoms continued to worsen.
A severe burning pain began in her chest and her voice was extremely hoarse.
“Then I started getting the sensation of a very tight band getting tighter and tighter and tighter around my chest. That got pretty scary,” she recalls.
“I was breathing by having very shallow breaths because it was so painful to breathe in deeply.”
She called triple-zero and was taken by ambulance to hospital, where she spent the rest of the day.
Mrs Ravenscroft said she contacted multiple government departments and agencies to try and find out how she could prevent this from happening again, but came up empty handed.
Since the chemical sprayer was a contractor Mrs Ravenscroft was finally forward-ed to Workplace Health and Safety, which has since begun looking into the case.
“There is no law protecting the public against being harmed by poison in the air that’s being deliberately sprayed,” Mrs Ravenscroft said.
“Not only is there no clear law, there is no one body or department that actually undertakes responsibility for doing some-thing about it.
“There’s no point in having laws if no one is directed to uphold those laws.
“I was flabbergasted that had that not been a workplace health and safety issue no one would have touched it.”
In an ABC local radio interview, Fiona O’Sullivan from Workplace Health and Safety said air pollution from spray drift is particularly common at this time of year.
“We have quite a number of these cases on our files at the moment and we’re making inquiries and working with the duty holders to try and come to some resolution,” she said.
“The Workplace Health and Safety Act places a range of duties on workplace situations and only workplace situations – we have to be very clear about that – but anyone who’s applying chemicals as part of their business has a duty under that legislation to do so without causing harm to others, and without causing harm to themselves as well.”
Ms O’Sullivan said in a non-workplace situation the local council should be the first port of call for complaints from members of the public.
Checks also uncovered a malignant brain tumour.
Crucial to the case would be proving the link between pesticides and Parkinson’s disease.
Personnel from the RAAF have also been exposed to the chemicals as part of quarantine procedures.
PESTICIDE A ‘TOXIC SOUP’ IN A SPRAY CAN Matthew Benns
He said passengers and crew had no choice but to breathe it in.“The pesticides are basically sprayed in a sealed container where the same air is being recycled,” he said. ”Once you breathe it in, it’s in.”
He believes repeated exposure to pesticides can cause Parkinson’s disease.
“Some people who are exposed regularly can be affected but other people for some reason are not.”
One expert likened the loss of dopamine to trying to run a car without oil in the engine.
STEWARD IAN WHITE HAD AN INKLING OF THE RISKS Matthew Benns
“Ian always said he wondered if those sprays would have some sort of effect on him,” said his wife Alfreda, of the spraying Qantas was legally obliged to carry out.“Now he is in a home with Parkinson’s disease.”
Ian, 75, retired following 36 years of flying only to be struck down by the disease and dementia.
He no longer recognises his wife and children.
INSECTICIDES POSE NO RISK TO PASSENGERS AND STOP SERIOUS DISEASE, OFFICIALS SAY Matthew Benns
A Department of Health spokeswoman said all spraying followed World Health Organisation guidelines.
The spraying was an important step in preventing the spread of disease, she said.
“That cool air is trapped in a layer and, the issue with that is, the movement of that air.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-03/cotton-spray-drift-research-text/7136232
“That cool air is trapped in a layer and, the issue with that is, the movement of that air.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-03/cotton-spray-drift-research-text/7136232
“That cool air is trapped in a layer and, the issue with that is, the movement of that air.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-03/cotton-spray-drift-research-text/7136232
Transporter fined for pesticide spill – Central Western Daily
July 3, 2003
EPA director-general Lisa Corbyn said the spill had a devastating impact on the waterway.
NSW Land and Environment Court Justice Denis Cowdroy fined Hopley $15,000 for employing a driver without a relevant licence and $20,000 for polluting the creek.
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He said the fines would have been higher if Hopley had not shown contrition.
“The only redeeming feature is that the defendant has pleaded guilty.”
Outside the court, Hopley said he regretted the incident and was sorry.
Hopley was also ordered to pay the EPA’s court costs, estimated at $15,000.
https://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/story/756619/transporter-fined-for-pesticide-spill/
Cotton spray drift causes damage into the millions
Namoi Valley Independent
Jan. 19, 2016,
In some regions, the damage to individual crops has been severe.
The national chemical regulator, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority is aware of the severity of the issue and is currently reviewing the 2,4-D pesticide and assessing environmental risks.
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https://www.nvi.com.au/story/3673344/cotton-spray-drift-causes-damage-into-the-millions/
Cotton spray drift causes damage into the millions
Namoi Valley Independent
Jan. 19, 2016,
In some regions, the damage to individual crops has been severe.
The national chemical regulator, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority is aware of the severity of the issue and is currently reviewing the 2,4-D pesticide and assessing environmental risks.
See your ad here
https://www.nvi.com.au/story/3673344/cotton-spray-drift-causes-damage-into-the-millions/
Spray drift damage on the rise after rain
By Amelia Williams
Dec. 4, 2015,
The rest of his crop is showing severe to moderate damage.
“The new nodes are still affected by it,” Mr Farrer said.
“It’s moderate to severe damage at the moment and it will be yield affecting.”
CottonMap is available at www.CottonMap.com.au.
https://www.theland.com.au/story/3537860/wet-season-heightens-spray-drift-risk/?cs=4941#!
Cotton grower warns against spray drift
Jan. 8, 2016,
Mr Murray said all farmers who spray fields must be vigilant against the effects of drift, particularly when using Phenoxy 2,4-D or MCPA herbicides. “Cotton farmers understand that weed control is important, but so is respecting your neighbours and their ability to earn an income from the land,” Mr Murray said. “The correct directions for use of Phenoxy herbicide are clearly labelled on the products, and it is a legal requirement to follow them.”
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https://www.areanews.com.au/story/3652486/cotton-grower-warns-against-spray-drift/
Supplementary Material
Stephen Marshall*, David Sharley, Katherine Jeppe, Simon Sharp, Gavin Rose, Vincent Pettigrove
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2016.00075/full
Blackburn Lake, Blackburn
Sediment
Feb/April 2015: DEET 10.4ug/kg
also see: https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/the-common-insecticide-poisoning-our-rivers-and-wetlands
Control Measures
Attempts at eradication of mimosa commenced in August 1965 prior to it being declared a noxious weed. Chemicals used have been 40% 2,4,5-T either in water (1:300) or diesel (1:45), or Tordon 255 mixed with diesel at a ratio of 1:45 with 2 applications per year, one prior to the wet season and another at the end of the wet season. Isolated plants have been removed manually.
The early eradication work concentrated on that part of the infestation which extended from just above the Adelaide River township down to Tortilla Flats, a distance of approximately 35 km by river. To get over this area twice per year was a full time job from April to December for a Technical Assistant and one or two labourers. The team managed to stop plants seeding within the control area but plants continually reappeared from previously deposited seed and the infestation spread downstream from seeding plants below the control area. The full time eradication attempt continued for 6 years and ceased in 1971 as the team was fighting a losing battle.
Source: Mimosa Pigra in the Northern Territory by I.L Miller Senior Agronomist (Weeds), Darwin; L. Nemestothy, Formerly Agronomist (Weeds) , Darwin; and S.E Pickering, Technical Officer (Weeds), Darwin. Technical Bulltin No. 51 October 1981
https://www.nt.gov.au/d/Content/File/p/Tech_Bull/TB051.pdf
Parks Victoria washing toxic waste into Yarra River
January 9, 2016 The Age Newspaper
Concerns were also raised about workers being exposed to the chemical waste.
Parks Victoria decided not to alert the EPA to the findings.
“We may require a clean-up of the site and changes to the practices on the site.”
A Parks Victoria spokesman said the authority will work together with the EPA to fix the issue.
The spokesman said the cause of damage to the trees is yet to be determined.
“We understand that action was taken once the issue was reported. The minister has spoken to Parks Victoria about the need to notify the EPA immediately in the future.”
https://www.theage.com.au/victoria/parks-victoria-washing-toxic-waste-into-yarra-river-20160109-gm2gr1.html#ixzz3wjlEiuJ6
“A total of 14 pesticide residues, 3 herbicide degradation products, 2 synthetic musks and 1 flame retardant were detected in the passive samplers and grab samples in the Upper Barron River between December 2013 and March 2014. The sampling captured low flow (mid-December to mid- January), high flow (mid-January to mid-February) and moderate flow (mid-February to mid-March) events. The residues detected included the herbicides ametryn, atrazine, diuron, hexazinone, metolachlor, metsulfuron methyl, pendimethalin, picloram, prometryn, simazine and tebuthiuron and the herbicide degradation products, 3,4-dichloroanaline (diuron metabolite), desethyl atrazine and desisopropyl atrazine (atrazine metabolites). The insecticides detected included chlorpyrifos, diazinon and imidacloprid and the synthetic musks detected were galaxolide and tonalide. Tris (2- chloro-1-methylethyl) phosphate (TCIPP) was the only detected flame retardant in the samples. Ouranalysis suggests that none of these chemicals were detected at concentrations known to cause environmental harm, although diazinon and chlorpyrifos exceeded 99% ecological protection trigger values during each of the three monthly monitoring periods undertaken. However, the 95% trigger values were not exceeded and are more appropriate to apply given this would be considered amoderately disturbed site. Overall, compared to other regions of the GBR, the pesticides (and other chemicals) in the Upper Barron Catchment that drain into Tinaroo Dam, are considered low risk.”
Source: Barron River pesticide monitoring and Cairns WWTP WQ assessment.
Dominique O’Brien, Stephen Lewis, Christie Gallen, Jake O’Brien, Kristie Thompson, Geoff Eaglesham, Jochen Mueller Report No. 14/40 June 2014
