……Ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for Ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for NigeriansNigerians

 

A PRESENTATION BY

Dr. (Mrs.) Ngeri S. Benebo,Dr. (Mrs.) Ngeri S. Benebo,JPJP

DG/CEO NESREA DG/CEO NESREA

ONONEFFECTIVE AND SAFE USE OF HERBICIDES

..DELIVERED BY

ENGR. O.O.O. SODEDIRECTOR, SOUTH WEST ZONE

National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA)

At

A Two (2)-day Training/Workshop on Effective and Safe Use of Herbicides organised by the International Institute of Tropical

Agriculture on 23rd -24th May, 2014

1) Introduction

2) Health and Environmental Effects of

Herbicides

3) National Regulations on Pesticides

4) Safety Tips on Herbicides Application

5) Conclusion

Outline of Presentation

Introduction• Herbicides also commonly known as weed killers, are

pesticides used to kill unwanted plants. Selective herbicides kill specific targets, while leaving the desired crop relatively unharmed.

• Some herbicides act by interfering with the growth of the weed and are often synthetic mimics of natural plant hormones.

• Some plants such as walnuts and tree of heaven produce natural herbicides, such action of natural herbicides, and other related chemical interactions are called allelopathy.

• In some countries, they account for about 70% of all agricultural pesticide use

Introduction (Cont’d)• Applying herbicides with the aim of suppressing

plant and animal pests while protecting agricultural and industrial products, may also affect non-target plants and animals.

• Repeated application of herbicides leads to loss of biodiversity as some herbicides are not easily degradable, they persist in soil, leach to groundwater and surface water.

• These problems have led to the ban of some of these pesticides including herbicides.

• Recent survey carried out in three states in Nigeria in a World Bank assisted programme showed that many of the pesticides are still being used.

• Many of such users are inadequately informed about the risks and the need for precautions in the correct application of such toxic chemicals as intensive application may result in negative effects which cannot be ignored.

Introduction (Cont’d)

• Like all Pesticides, herbicides could impact negatively on the environment and human health as they have been discovered to have toxic effects especially if not properly managed.

• The harmful effects of herbicides are related to the types and concentrations of the active ingredients in each product, amount of herbicides a person is exposed to, duration of exposure and route of entry (toxicological effects).

• Some of the harmful environmental and health effects of herbicides are discussed below.

Environmental Effects of HerbicidesMajor negative effects of herbicides on the environment can be sub-divided into the following:

i) Soil ContaminationPesticides enter the soil during applications e.g spray drift during foliage treatment, wash-off from treated foliage, release from granulates or from treated seeds in soil. ii)Water ContaminationPesticides can get into water during application such as spraying or by runoff from treated areas and leaching through the soil. Herbicides may also be applied directly onto water surface e.g. for control of mosquitoes. iii) Farming and Biodiversity

Destruction of biodiversity has been linked to intensive use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture leading to loss of natural and semi-natural habitats and decreased habitat heterogeneity.

Health Effects of Herbicides

• Essentially, foods that are consumed raw like fruits and vegetables may contain herbicide residues.

• These pose health risk in the body system when they are consumed as food.

Diseases associated with herbicides poisoningcan be acute or chronic.Acute effects: • Abdominal pain, dizziness, headaches, nausea,

vomiting, as well as skin and eye problems.Long Term Effects• Cancer, Neurological problems, Dementia,

Reproductive (menstrual cycle, birth defects, miscarriages, small for age babies at birth) etc.

Health Effects of Herbicides (Cont’d)Effects on major organs

EyeEye BrainBrain GI GI MuscleMuscle GlandsGlands LungsLungs

BlurringBlurring

Pinpoint Pinpoint pupilpupil

HeadacheHeadache

DizzyDizzy

FatigueFatigue

Staggering Staggering gaitgait

TremorTremor

Seizure Seizure

Loss of Loss of ConsciousnConsciousn

ess ess

ComaComa

DiarrheaDiarrhea

VomitingVomiting

NauseaNausea

CrampsCramps

WeaknessWeakness

CrampsCramps

TwitchingTwitching

DroolingDrooling

SweatingSweating

TearingTearing

Short of Short of breathbreath

CoughCough

WheezingWheezing

Runny Runny nosenose

Chest painChest pain

Health Effects of Pesticides including Herbicides (Cont’d)

Sources of risks to children

Dietary

Residentialuse

Drinkingwater

Parental take-home

Farm proximity

National Regulations on Pesticides• As part of her mandate to ensure compliance with any legislation

on sound management, safe use of pesticides and disposal of spent packages of pesticides, NESREA has developed National Environmental Regulations on hazardous chemicals/pesticides.

• The Regulations have undergone the relevant review processes including expert and other stakeholders review.

• The roles and responsibilities of relevant stakeholders have been discussed at the National Regulatory Dialogue.

• The Regulation is currently in the Federal Ministry of Justice for gazzeting.

• It is expected that the Regulations will go a long way in addressing issues relating to proper pesticides management including its use and application.

Safety Tips on Herbicides Application

Due to the health effects associated with herbicides use, certain precautionary measures are to be put in place.A herbicide applicator must have good understanding of the safe application. Some of the safety tips to be observed include:Reading label before purchase and application, to check specific purpose, toxicity, safety information, expiry date and follow instructions carefully; Not mixing herbicides if the label prohibits or warns against it,

or if you are unsure of the impact of the mixture in the spray solution or on the target crop.

Using herbicides only for the purpose(s) stated on the label;Identifying specific weed problem before taking action on herbicides to be used; Using adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) before pesticide application;Adopting spot applications rather than area-wide applications;Making sure you have the correct equipment for weed killer application. This may include dusters, sprayers or granular applicators.

Safety Tips on Herbicides Application (Cont’d)

Mixing herbicides according to specifications on the label using the exact proportions, mix only the amount needed and do not store mixed herbicides;

Ensuring food is stored in sealed containers, dishes utensils, and surfaces are appropriately covered before application;

Installing check (or non-return) valves which prevent back-flow when filling spray tanks from surface waters;

Choosing the best day and time for herbicides application, observe wind direction, wind speed, temperature and humidity, and ensure that they are within acceptable limits before spraying to avoid unpredictable spray drift. Morning and evening time are best time for spraying;

Considering spraying only when the wind is blowing away from the sensitive area. If this is not possible, spray only the upwind section of the area, in order to provide a practicable buffer distance, having regard for the chemical, its formulation, the sensitivity of the adjoining area and the wind speed and direction

Safety Tips on Herbicides Application (Cont’d)

Setting the release height of the boom as low as possible consistent with nozzle specifications and coverage requirements, not exceeding optimum boom height specified by the nozzle manufacturer;

Spraying pressure should be as low as possible, consistent with nozzle specifications and coverage requirements;

Selecting nozzles that minimize the number of fine droplets that have the potential to drift, consistent with good coverage of the crop;

Checking for leaking connections or nozzles; Storing herbicides in original container in a locked cabinet away from

temperature extremes Washing pesticide application clothes separately from other clothes

before wearing them again; Ensuring proper clean up after application before eating or drinking; Neutralizing un-used pesticides or containers appropriately before

disposal;

Safety Tips on Herbicides Application (Cont’d)

Keeping pesticides out of the reach of children as well as already treated and restricted areas;

Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after spraying; Thoroughly washing Personal Protective Equipment at the

completion of each job, and store to ensure it does not become contaminated or damaged;

Ensuring that appropriate arrangements and facilities for the proper disposal of waste chemicals and containers are provided; and

Ensuring that recyclable or refillable containers are used wherever possible etc.

 

Conclusion

• The importance of pesticides including herbicides in its relevant areas of uses cannot be over emphasized.

• Hence the need for safe application of pesticides in order to prevent adverse effects on agricultural yield, human health and the environment.

 THANK YOU

    …NESREA ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment…