WE refer to the article titled “Hay Fever Blues” as published in Paarl Post on 26 November.
* It is a well documented fact that exposure to pesticides causes “hay fever” symptoms - upper respiratory tract irritation, infection, sinus problems and asthma to name but a few.
* Exposure to pesticides also causes more serious problems like central nervous system damage, respiratory problems and even cancer.
* It is unlawful to spray your vineyards in such a way that spray drift (of pesticides) is allowed to be blown into the residential areas.
* The medical effects of unlawful spray drift have been well documented in the Western Cape and internationally.
* Many of the pesticides that are used on the vineyards in places like Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschoek have been banned in other countries as they are considered to be highly toxic.
* Every citizen has the right to live in an environment that is not harmful to his/her health and well-being - this is enshrined in the Constitution.
* The statement that “this is a small price to pay for living in this magnificent valley” is irresponsible. One cannot and should not peg a price on one’s health.
Several Paarl medical doctors actually attended The Air that I Breathe (Tatib) Foundation’s recent meeting in Stellenbosch and confirmed that they have a large number of patients suffering from exposure to pesticides.
You are sitting on a ticking time bomb. You need to alert your local Municipality for the sake of your health, especially that of your children.
For more information, contact tatibfoundation@gmail.com or Prof Mark Swilling at swilling@sun.ac.za.
Team TATIB
