MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS – EARLY WARNING
I have always been against the spraying or dusting of crops with poison. But if anyone is of the opinion that he cannot do without it, he should at least ensure that it is done in the winter. Moreover, it is important that farmers take their responsibilities seriously and protect their workers and, especially, children from any possible harm. The consequences are not always immediately recognisable, because the chemicals may contain slow-acting poisons, such as copper, lead, arsenic and tar. The modern products, chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds and phosphoric acid esters in their various forms, are even more dangerous, since these poisons do not merely stick to the outside skin of fruit but actually penetrate the leaves and circulate in the sap. It is too late to sound a warning when a farmer or farmworker comes down with lung cancer ten or fifteen years after exposure to poison. Telling him that he should have worn a face mask when spraying his trees will be of no help or comfort to him then.
Never think that the body becomes used to the poisons so that in time they will do no harm. This, unfortunately, is untrue. A quarry worker does not become used to stone dust either and it will be of no use to inform him of the danger he is exposed to when he has already fallen victim to the incurable condition of silicosis. It is certain that this disease will end his life prematurely. It does no good to become careless or complacent as regards obvious dangers, or to lose one’s fear of occupational hazards and neglect to take the necessary precautions.
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