2023-10-03 16:17:15
What is prosulfocarb?
Prosulfocarb is an active substance used in conventional agriculture in order to weed the crops of many grasses and other plants such as potatoes, carrots, onions, etc. Moreover, it is the second weedkiller the most sold (nearly 6,500 tonnes per year) in France, due to the reduction or restriction of other active substances. Since when has it been authorized? It has been there since 1990 in France. And, at the European level, its authorization has been extended until January 31, 2027, the time thatPortugal, the state responsible for reevaluating the product, completes its work.
Why is prosulfocarb talked about?
Today, there are two main problems:
- Prosulfocarb poses health risks. Like many chemical substances, it is classified as acute oral toxicant category 4 and it is a skin sensitizer. That said, he is not classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic. However, ANSES* has revealed that local residents exposed less than 10 meters from the spraying of this product are exposed to quantities of prosulfocarb greater than the toxicological reference values (this is the maximum quantity of active substance to which a person can be exposed daily, without dangerous effects for their health). However, when the toxicological reference values are exceeded, the risks of irritation of the respiratory tract, skin and eyes increase. Prosulfocarb mainly presents a risk for children who may be exposed to doses up to 5 times higher than the toxicological reference values.
- Prosulfocarb is very volatile. After being sprayed, it can reach other untreated crops kilometers from the target location. Its presence in the air can therefore be very strong. For example, in 2021, in the commune of Montroy in Charente-Maritime, the average concentration of prosulfocarb was 10 times greater at the usual rates measured in the country.
What is ANSES planning?
In order to protect local residents, the Agency imposes new conditions of use of products from from 1is November.
- Farmers will have to use nozzles reducing drift by 90% and will be responsible for respecting a safety distance of 10 meters with residential areas.
- If farmers do not have this equipment or the time to obtain it, the safety distance will have to be be 20 meters between the treatment ramp and places where local residents may be.
- Maximum authorized doses of prosulfocarb will be reduced by at least 40%.
- Finally, ANSES undertakes to continue to study the effectiveness (or not) of the above measures on the safety of local residents. Si by June 30, 2024, there is no convincing improvement, usage authorizations will be withdrawn without grace period.
*Prosulfocarb: update on ANSES’s work
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Does organic farming use pesticides?
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What is permaculture?
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