Drakenstein Municipality is systematically poisoning us – Enough is Enough

Open letter to the Drakenstein Municipality

I refer to the Drakenstein Municipality’s program for the spraying of trees in Paarl to control
powdery mildew.

The entire program is illegal:

• Written notices need to be delivered to residents a minimum of 48 hours prior to
spraying, not after spraying has already occurred.
• Notices are to include details of product toxicology, copies of product warning labels
as well as instructions of what to do in the event of exposure.
• The method of spray promotes spray drift into private residences which is illegal (act
36 of 1947).
• Drakenstein Municipality distributed written notices after spraying had already taken
place. This notice indicated that Drakenstein Municipality uses the products “Tilt”
and “Rubigan” in their spray program.
• The products being used (Tilt and Rubigan) are agricultural fungicides and not
licensed for residential use. Nowhere on the manufacturers’ websites are either of
these products recommended for use on “decorative plants” such as oak trees.

Both products are highly toxic:

Tilt breaks down to form Amitrole, a three times internationally listed carcinogen. While one
of the active ingredients in Rubigan, Napthalene, is a twice listed carcinogen. Rubigan
exposure is known to cause corneal damage, leading to permanent blindness.

Tilt: Refer to (http://www.fatcow.com.au/c/Syngenta/Syngenta-s-TILT-XTRA-fungicide-

controls-fungal-diseases-in-barley-and-wheat-n812094). “…may irritate the nose and throat
and will damage the eyes and skin. Avoid contact with eyes and skin. Avoid inhaling
vapour… If clothing becomes contaminated with product or wet with spray, remove clothing
immediately. If product falls on skin, immediately wash area with soap and water… If
product comes in contact with eyes, wash it out immediately with water.
First aid:
If poisoning occurs, contact a doctor or Poisons Information Centre.”

Rubigan: refer to (http://www.gowanco.com/ProductInfo~pid~38~Rubigan%20EC.aspx).

“First aid:
If in eyes:
• Hold eye open and rinse slowly and gently with water for 15-20 minutes.
• Remove contact lenses, if present, after the first 5 minutes, then continue rinsing eye.
• Call a poison control center or doctor for treatment advice.
If inhaled:
• Move person to fresh air.
• If person is not breathing, call 911 or an ambulance, then give artificial respiration,
preferably by mouth-to-mouth, if possible.
• Call a poison control center or doctor for further treatment advice.
If on skin or clothing
• Take off contaminated clothing.
• Rinse skin immediately with plenty of water for 15-20 minutes.
• Call a poison control center or doctor for treatment advice.”
It is up to us as residents to hold the municipality accountable for their illegal activity. We do
so by being vigilant. Each time we witness the Drakenstein Municipality engaging in illegal
spray practices we will call the police so that these crimes can be properly investigated.

Your health and especially that of your children is at stake.

Yours faithfully
Iain Smuts
Concerned resident