With more than a third of poisoning cases in the province involving children over the past year, the provincial Health Department has cautioned the public against harmful pesticides in the home.
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A total of 58 cases of severe pesticide poisoning, including eight fatalities, were recorded in 2022.
According to IOL, the Poisons Information Helpline of the Western Cape said it attended to more than 1 000 calls regarding poisoning exposures to pesticides.
Most of these were associated with exposures to commercial pesticides, but the department said it was difficult to report on pesticides bought on the street.
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‘An example of such is “halephirimi” (you will never see the sunset) that is highly toxic.’
‘Fifty-eight cases of severe pesticide poisoning were reported to the helpline and eight deaths during 2022, but it is estimated that this number could be much higher.’
In 2022, 49% of poisoning exposure calls that were attended were accidental, while 47% were intentional. Some 35% of the calls involved children under the age of 12 and the remainder were caused by other factors including malicious intent.
According to the department, people in South Africa, like in many other developing nations, reside in unfavourable and crowded areas, which make for a perfect breeding ground for pests.
‘People seek cheap and effective ways to deal with the problem. The conventional anticoagulant rodenticides require that an animal eat multiple doses of the bait over several days.’
‘Street pesticides, on the other hand, are fast working, cheap, easily accessible, effective, and very toxic.’
Emergencies can be reported to: 112 (cellphone) or 10177 (landline).
Poisons Information Helpline: 0861 555 777.
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