Spray report finds little to worry about

An independent report commissioned by Hamilton City Council concludes there is little risk of health effects from aerial spraying for the asian gypsy moth.

The report, by Australian-based toxicologist Dr Peter Di Marco, will be considered by councillors today.

Four of eight planned sprays have been completed in the city. The fifth is scheduled for this morning.

Hamilton anti-spray group Watch said it was disappointed Dr Di Marco had not recommended a health impact study to determine effects on residents.

The report criticises the arguments of spray opponents but says the community has relevant complaints over the wider impact of spraying and the approach of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

It recommends Maf review the support it offers to the public, and suggests further health monitoring programmes to quantify exposure to spraying.

Dr Di Marco concluded that "overall ... the spraying of Foray 48B insecticide does not pose an unacceptable risk to the community".

He is a former director of the International Union of Toxicology and was the Western Australian Health Department's principal toxicologist.

His report found the greatest risk posed by spraying was irritation caused by hypersensitivity - and it was "highly unlikely" the spray would cause that.

Watch spokesman Phil Evans said the report's estimates of the extent of health problems "clearly isn't the case".

Maf has been moving about 220 Hamilton people each spray day.

- NZPA