Spray ingredients revealed

By ANNE BESTON

Opponents of the Government's $90 million West Auckland spray campaign have released what they say are the secret ingredients of the pesticide.

Anti-spray campaigner Dr Merial Watts said the ingredients were obtained from data contained in papers released under the Official Information Act.

"It is completely unacceptable the Government has denied people the right to know what the chemicals in the spray are," she said. "The Government looks at this at a societal level but people look at their own lives and say it's not acceptable."

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's campaign against painted apple moth in West Auckland is strongly opposed by some residents who claim the Foray 48B, or Btk, spray is making them sick.

They report a variety of health effects including increased asthma and other respiratory problems, rashes, headaches and nausea.

Maf relocates about 100 families each spray day.

Dr Watts, who has written a book on pesticide use in New Zealand, said the surprise ingredient was a chemical called propylene glycol, a food preservative also used in anti-freeze.

It could be absorbed through the skin and lungs. It was used in a range of health supplements.

"Research overseas shows it causes adverse reactions in children, yet the amount in supplements is probably less than that being inhaled by people in West Auckland."

Dr Watts said the list backed residents' claims of ill health.

Spray ingredients

Methyl paraben , found in soft drinks. Can irritate skin, eyes, respiratory system.

Propylene glycol, found in anti-freeze, cosmetics. Can cause liver damage and reproductive effects.

Benzoic acid/sodium benzoate, found in ice-cream, chilli paste. Asthma, diarrhoea, skin irritation.

Polyacrylic acid, not found in food. Dermatitis, skin irritation.

Potassium sorbate, found in ice-cream, tinned mushrooms. Eye, respiratory and skin irritant.

Sorbitol, found in diabetic products. Abdominal pain.

Source: Dr Merial Watts.