Oorsake van aangemelde landbouchemikalievergiftigings in die Boland : 1996-2000

Abstract

The developed countries of the world utilise 80% of the agricultural chemicals that are used in the agricultural sector. A total of 99% of all agricultural chemical poisoning occurs in developing countries. South Africa is classified as a developing country. During the five-year period from 1996 - 2000, 36.2% (50 cases) of the average number of cases of agricultural chemical poisoning that were reported in South Africa were in the Western Cape. Three out of four (75%) deaths as a result of agricultural chemicals during the same period were in the Western Cape. The agricultural activities that are undertaken in the Western Cape are labour intensive and various agricultural chemicals are applied continuously to meet the quality requirements of the export market. The purposes of this study were: i) to determine which factors contributed to the reported cases of agricultural chemical poisoning in the Winelands, Overberg and Breede River District Councils during the five-year period from 1January 1996 until31 December 2000, ii) to determine what procedure was followed to report these cases of poisoning, iii) to determine whether a biological monitoring programme was in place at the time of the reported poisonings, and iv) to group and to analyse the recommendations that were made during the investigation. The research methodology included a literature study to establish a theoretical framework. A descriptive retrospective quantitative research design was applied.