GEORGE NEWS - The George Municipality is aware of the court ruling in the United States, but would like to point out that the municipality does not use Monsanto products and that glyphosate is often used with other toxins that the municipality does not support.
The product the municipality does use is specially designed for use in urban environments, and is being used by most cities and towns in South Africa. The product has an LD (median lethal dose) value [the lowest dosage causing death] that is lower than table salt, and glyphosate breaks down almost completely when it comes into contact with soil, and does not contaminate ground water. The product has also through the years been refined so that less herbicide is required to be effective.
Herbicides in South Africa are registered and controlled by the Fertilisers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act (Act 36 of 1947). Every product is issued with a material safety data sheet, which defines the legal and safety gear requirements of each product. No current other product available for the control of weeds in this context is safer. As long as the regulator allows it, the municipality considers it safe in the urban context and as the only current viable option.
This being said, the municipality limits the use of herbicide to what is absolutely necessary. The main reason for using herbicides is to protect road surfaces from root damage caused by weeds, and it is therefore necessary in all areas within the George municipal area where roads are tarred or paved.
The use of goggles, gloves and a dust mask is more than sufficient during the application of the above-mentioned product if the herbicide container is not strapped to the sprayer's back, which was not the case in the instance the writer refers to.
Staff are issued with the above and can be taken to task if they do not wear safety gear.
Read a related article: Resident upset about herbicide spraying
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