Friends of the Earth Birmingham Action Briefing Apr/May 98

Organo-Phosphate Confirmation

A health and safety executive (HSE) guide to sheep dipping confirms that organo-phosphates can be absorbed through the skin. Protective clothing is required to minimise poisoning.

The Environment Agency noted recently that 1997 was the worst yield for contamination of water courses by sheep dip organo-phosphates, (source - BBC Countryfile 15 March 1998).

So what happens to the sheep when they absorb organo-phosphates? (And what happens to the human that eats the sheep?).

J. Davison