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Putting people first |
| The purpose of this pamphlet is to provide the tree planting community with general information about the use of pesticides on forest seedlings. The pamphlet also outlines the rights and responsibilities of tree planters and their employers to know what pesticides have been applied to the seedlings being planted, and the precautions planters should take to minimize exposure to the small amounts of pesticide residues sometimes found on forest seedlings. |
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| In British Columbia, changes in the way we grow our seedlings have resulted in
substantial reductions in pesticide use at forest seedling nurseries. Improvements in
nursery sanitation, seedling nutrition and spacing, watering regimes and insect and
disease monitoring have all been incorporated into effective integrated pest management
programs. The nursery manager considers a wide range of management options when growing seedlings of which pesticides is only one. The pest management program is developed specifically to each type of seedling and nursery site. One significant change by the Ministry has been the elimination of mandatory fungicide sprays on seedlings not infested with any disease at the time of seedling lifting and cold storage. Currently, some nurseries are producing entirely pesticide-free seedlings. |
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| In 1988, studies were undertaken to look at the extent of tree planters' exposure to pesticides on the work site. Results showed that exposure of planters while wearing gloves after planting 500 to 2,000 trees per day were well below accepted levels set by the Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia (WCB). Very small amounts of airborne fungicide were also measured during typical tree planting activities but again the levels were well below permissible concentration limits. Pesticide residues on seedlings were also found to be below those limits set by Health Canada for edible crops. Although residues and exposure levels were well within accepted limits, it is recommended that simple routine precautions be always taken to minimize health risks. |
| * Exposure of Tree Planters to Fungicides. Prepared for: Forest Industry Industrial Health Research Program. Council of Forest Industries. February, 1988. |
| [Table of Contents [Rights and responsibilities] [Protect yourself] [Ministry of Forests][Forest Practices Branch] |
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