Toxic insecticide endosulfan banned

8:36PM Monday December 15, 2008

A toxic insecticide used to control worms on sports fields has been banned after an investigation into

its safety.

In October, ONE News reported the chemical endosulfan was being used by several councils.

Now, the Environmental Risk Management Authority says it poses a significant risk to people and the

environment.

The ERMA wants to stop its use as quickly as possible but says time is needed to dispose of it safely.

"From the 16th of January users will not be able to use endosulfan or there will be no further import or

manufacture and existing stocks will need to be disposed of within a year," says Andrea Eng of the ERMA.

More than 50 countries around the world have already banned endosulfan.

GLOBAL CHEMICAL POLLUTION

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