Latest update February 7th, 2025 2:57 PM
Apr 24, 2016 News
PAT DIAL
Recently, the newspapers carried a report with a photograph showing a large number of neatly stacked boxes containing insecticides which had been seized from China Trading, a large recently-established Chinese business. The goods had passed through the port without being examined and after the seizure, were duly destroyed.
This prompted members of our Committee to visit the markets and smaller shops where we saw a large number of illegally-imported mosquito coils, liquid insecticides of various types as well as herbicides on offer.
A few months ago, this column carried an article on the dangers to health of inhaling or otherwise ingesting insecticides. We therefore thought it necessary to carry another such article.
Most people still do not realize that inhaling the fumes of insecticides or having liquid insecticides or herbicides touch their skin would lead to such being ingested into the body. Though such may cause immediate discomfort or even temporary sickness people need to understand that taking in such poisons into the body damages the lung and other parts of the respiratory system as well as the stomach and other parts of the digestive system. This often results in chronic illnesses or even the shortening of life.
Many of these insecticides which are smuggled from our neighbouring countries through our porous borders originate from East Asia. Many are believed to have illegally come through the ports. These insecticides invariably do not conform to Guyanese or other Western standards and are dangerous to health.
These illegally imported insecticides are usually attractively packed in colourful packaging. What makes them more insidious and dangerous is that they are often perfumed. For example, mosquito coils with dangerous chemicals far above the quantities permissible in the Guyana standards, often smell like incenses.
And liquid insecticides and even herbicides are perfumed to give them a pleasant odour. Western manufacturers tend to have a slightly unpleasant or neutral odour to such products, a good example being the Bayer products such as Baygon.
To protect themselves from the dangers of pesticides, insecticides, rodenticides (rat poisons), weedicides and fertilizers, consumers and the general public should carefully read the instructions on the labels and also ascertain the country of origin of such products. If no country of origin is stated, don’t go any further with such products. Having read the instructions, then carefully follow them.
To protect themselves from inhaling the fumes of such products, consumers are enjoined to use a piece of gauze or a towel or a handkerchief as a mask. Even when using an aerosol spray for a short time, use a mask. In handling liquid insecticides/herbicides, always use gloves and take care not to allow any of it to spill on the skin. If any of it gets on the skin, immediately wash it off using soap and the liberal use of water.
Cooking gas is now made with neutral odour. Avoid inhaling it and always keep kitchens where the gas cylinders are stored well-ventilated with windows open. Ensure that the cylinders are securely turned off when retiring to bed. There are numerous cases, both in Guyana and abroad, where persons lost their lives from inhaling gas or becoming sick from gas poisoning.
Cooking gases are one of the perils of modern civilization since they have replaced wood or coal fires from chuhlas or coal pots.
The National bureau of Standards and the Pesticide Board occasionally publish warnings about the dangerous brands of mosquito coils and pesticides. Cut out these advisories and keep as a reminder, or directly ask the Bureau or Pesticide Board for such lists. Consumers may also ask the Consumer Division of the Ministry of Business or the Guyana Consumers Association (GCA) for further advice. GCA Email: [email protected]
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