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Pesticides

latest news & developments
Honey bees are generalist pollinators that play a role in our global need to regenerate our biodiversity corridors to sustain the ecosystems and their functions. Photo: Supplied
ENVIRONMENT

Tiny bees, big job: tracking pesticide pollution in Africa’s water

Researchers at the University of Pretoria propose using honey bees as low-cost bioindicators to detect pesticide pollution in sub-Saharan Africa's water, addressing critical gaps…

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read
FOOD SAFETY

Pesticides found in our every day foods

Independent testing by the African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) found pesticide residues in 86% of commonly consumed foods in South Africa, including those for infants. The…

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read
In circulation: Highly hazardous pesticides, including Terbufos, flood informal markets where they are sold illegally as cheap, effective pest control. Picture: File
CHILD DEATHS

SA moves to ban deadly pesticide

Given the rate of deaths in 2023 and 2024, averaging one every second day, a delay of six months or more could mean up to another 100 deaths

  • Sheree Bega
9 min read
Food poisoning results in illness and, in some cases, death. Among the causes is the underground economy of fake goods. Photo: File
ALDICARB

Food poisoning: How an organisation is stepping In to protect people

Twenty-three children have died and nearly 900 people have fallen ill from food poisoning but the Bakery & Food Technology Incubator is fighting back by testing food and…

  • Thabo Motshweni
8 min read
Accidental deaths: Products readily available in local shops are bought to deal with problems such as rats. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
21 DAY REGISTRATION

Deadline to register spaza shops is 17 December

Businesses that miss the registration window will be closed down

  • Aarti Bhana
2 min read
Bill Gates with farmer Mary in Kenya. (Photo by Gates Notes)
AFRICA

Bill Gates plays God in Africa’s agriculture and gets it wrong

Agra’s drive for a ‘green revolution’ has reduced crop diversity, created a dependency on commercial seeds and fertiliser and increased vulnerability to drought

  • Simon Allison
8 min read
Eskom and Sasol, which are considered two of the country’s biggest polluters, have been granted postponements, suspensions and/or alternative limits of the minimum emissions standards since 2015. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
AIR POLLUTION

UN special rapporteur: Toxic pollution in SA fuelled by corporate greed and government inaction 

Marcos Orellana noted the poor disposal of waste and hazardous substances, the wide use of pesticides and weak enforcement of regulations

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
Draft regulations for hazardous chemical agents issued by the government affect the fundamental rights of farmworkers and other farm dwellers, who are routinely exposed to high levels of toxic pesticides, particularly on wine and fruit farms. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
AFRICAN CENTRE FOR BIODIVERSITY

Draft regulations on hazardous chemical agents leave farmworkers at risk

South Africa must exit pesticide treadmill, civil society groups say This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers. Get Your Free Account The Mail & Guardian is…

  • Sheree Bega
1 min read
Draft regulations for hazardous chemical agents issued by the government affect the fundamental rights of farmworkers and other farm dwellers, who are routinely exposed to high levels of toxic pesticides, particularly on wine and fruit farms. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
BETTINA GENTHE

Highly hazardous pesticides pose risks to South Africans, says environment department official

Toxins are found in water and the soil and these harm human health and the environment

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read
File photo
AIR POLLUTION

Ban hazardous pesticides now, SA told

Chemicals banned in Europe are exported and used in South Africa

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
Draft regulations for hazardous chemical agents issued by the government affect the fundamental rights of farmworkers and other farm dwellers, who are routinely exposed to high levels of toxic pesticides, particularly on wine and fruit farms. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
AGENCE FRANCAISE DE DEVELOPPEMENT

Pesticides: Deadly for Europeans, but okay for Africans to use

European state banks are happy to finance projects using pesticides deemed too dangerous for people in their own countries. One of these is in Ghana

  • Jonathan Moens
  • Gideon Sarpong
4 min read
The Klipspruit river polluted by sewage and mine waste in Soweto. (File photo by Delwyn Verasamy)
AGRICULTURE

Water, air and soil pollution is spawning deadly superbugs

Environmental waste, especially pharmaceuticals and toxins, needs high-level action to stop its major contribution to antimicrobial resistance

  • Inger Andersen
5 min read
South Africa has ‘no real gumption’ when it comes to making tough decisions to protect the environment
ALBI MODISE

Environment department slammed for suspending regulations on trade in hazardous chemicals

South Africa has ‘no real gumption’ when it comes to making tough decisions to protect the environment, says UCT academic

  • Sheree Bega
4 min read
A private security employee watches as a factory burns in Durban’s Sea Cow Lake area on 12 July. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images via Getty Images)
AQUATIC SYSTEMS

United Phosphorus Ltd cleans up spill after chemical blaze in Durban

Scientists have been sent to handle the fallout from the warehouse fire, which stored about 1 600 hazardous materials that can contaminate the air, sea and rivers

  • Chris Gilili
3 min read
ocial media users took to Twitter to complain about the foul smell in the air, which was dense with smoke in Umhlanga. (Photo by RAJESH JANTILAL/AFP via Getty Images)
ZUMAUNREST

Cornubia: Authorities to investigate UPL after chemical blaze

Agrochemical giant UPL said chemical runoff was being contained and efforts were underway to deal with groundwater poisoning

  • Tunicia Phillips
4 min read