Watch your poison
Just
half a pint of the pesticide chlorpyriphos (claw-piri-foss) led to the
death of hundreds of fish when it entered the river Ouse in England in
2001. Environment Agency investigators also found that all aquatic insects
along a 20 km stretch of the river had been completely wiped out, leaving
a big gap in the food chain. Analysis of river water showed concentration
levels at less than 0.001mg/l (parts per million), but even in such minute
doses this is enough to kill river bed invertebrates and harm fish.
Never heard of it?
You may actually have used some! Chlorpyriphos is sold as an insect killer and can be found in ant killer and some vermin bait.
What can I do?
Be careful with pesticides. Don't use near water courses or empty down your drain. Dispose of any residues carefully.
For further information please contact WWF Scotland: phone 01350 728200, email info@watersense.org.uk, or write to WaterSense, c/o WWF Scotland, Little Dunkeld, Dunkeld, PH8 0AD