Prayut wants to get rid of the highly toxic pesticide paraquat, but farmers can continue to use it
Prime Minister Prayut wants the ministries of health, commerce and agriculture to look for other agrochemicals to replace the highly toxic paraquat, which is still used in agriculture in Thailand to control weeds.
Because no alternative is available, farmers are allowed to use it. However, farmers who use the pesticide must be made aware of the dangers. The prime minister is concerned about the health of farmers and consumers.
Some organizations, including BioThai, are pushing for a complete ban. The pesticide is banned in 53 countries, but it can still be sold in Thailand. The Ministry of Health supports a ban, the industry does not want a ban.
Paraquat is very toxic: exposure to it can have very serious, irreversible consequences, even fatal. Death can occur days or weeks after exposure. If inhaled, possible effects are severe irritation of the nose, throat and airways or a nosebleed. With repeated or prolonged exposure cough, runny nose, bronchitis, pulmonary edema and reduced lung function occur. Skin contact can cause inflammation and, in severe cases, blisters, and the nails can also fall out.
The European Union already banned the use of this substance, which is very harmful to humans and animals, in 2007.
Source: Bangkok Post
I can never suppress a smile when tourists come back from Thailand and say: "I had a good meal there and so healthy!"
They just had to know…
“Prayut wants to get rid of it, but the farmers can continue to use it”…Is this in the context of the upcoming elections where he also wants to have a seat?…Typical for the ever hypocritical political landscape in Thailand….Not that things are better elsewhere is, but still very characteristic here.
There are 50.000 cases of pesticide poisoning per year in Thailand, resulting in 4.000 deaths.
Paraquat is very dangerous. Two teaspoons are already lethal. It is used to kill and more often as a means of suicide.
Economic interests still take precedence over health interests.
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Long since banned in the Netherlands, the name was then grammoxone with the active ingredient paraquat.
Now also for sale in the Netherlands under the active ingredient name paraquat.
It is a herbicide or razor agent, is absorbed on existing leaves and dies within 48 hours if dry 2 hours after spraying. So does not work on the roots in the ground.
Glyphosate is much more harmful and takes longer to become visible (about 3 weeks), but the roots also die and remain active in the soil for some time. In the Netherlands this is sold under the name Roundup, for private use the active substance has been made so minimal that it barely works.
I used both paraquat and roundup for years. The question is how do you deal with it. There are regulations on how to use it, I assume the same regulations here as in the Netherlands. then not like here some kind of cloth for your nose and mouth instead of a mask then you're not doing it right