THE public needs to know that “best practice” aerial spraying can bring about drinking water contamination with pesticides and DPIWE now acknowledges this.
In June of 2005, atrazine was detected in the tidal area of the Rubicon river.
Investigations discovered that aerial spraying of a forestry coupe 10 kms away from the water testing site was the likely source.
Subsequently, Tasmania’s Registrar for Chemicals, Mr John Mollison, stated that as the aerial spraying guidelines had been adhered to, no action would be taken.
This is an admission by a government representative that government regulations and controls will not prevent pesticide contamination of our waterways and drinking water sources.
The Ausralian Drinking Water Guidelines states that atrazine should not be detected in drinking water. Therefore in light of the inadequacy of the government regulations, aerial spraying of pesticides should cease.
Alison Bleaney is a St Helens doctor
