This document discusses ensuring safe use of herbicides in Nigeria. It covers the introduction and uses of herbicides, potential health and environmental effects, national regulations, and safety tips for application. The presentation outlines the negative impacts herbicides can have on soil, water, and biodiversity if not properly managed. It also describes potential health risks to humans, especially from residues in foods. National regulations are being developed to address proper pesticide management, use, and application. Safety tips include using personal protective equipment, following instructions, avoiding spray drift, and proper disposal.

1. ……Ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for NigeriansEnsuring a cleaner and healthier environment for Nigerians

2.
A PRESENTATION BY
Dr. (Mrs.) Ngeri S. Benebo,Dr. (Mrs.) Ngeri S. Benebo,JPJP
DG/CEO NESREADG/CEO NESREA
ONON
EFFECTIVE AND SAFE USE OF HERBICIDES
..
DELIVERED BY
ENGR. O.O.O. SODE
DIRECTOR, SOUTH WEST ZONE
National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement
Agency (NESREA)
At
A Two (2)-day Training/Workshop on Effective and Safe Use of
Herbicides organised by the International Institute of Tropical
Agriculture on 23rd
-24th
May, 2014

3. 1) Introduction
2) Health and Environmental Effects of
Herbicides
3) National Regulations on Pesticides
4) Safety Tips on Herbicides Application
5) Conclusion
Outline of Presentation

4. Introduction
• Herbicides also commonly known as weed killers, are
pesticides used to kill unwanted plants. Selective herbicides
kill specific targets, while leaving the desired crop relatively
unharmed.
• Some herbicides act by interfering with the growth of the
weed and are often synthetic mimics of natural plant
hormones.
• Some plants such as walnuts and tree of heaven produce
natural herbicides, such action of natural herbicides, and
other related chemical interactions are called allelopathy.
• In some countries, they account for about 70% of all
agricultural pesticide use

5. Introduction (Cont’d)
• Applying herbicides with the aim of suppressing plant
and animal pests while protecting agricultural and
industrial products, may also affect non-target
plants and animals.
• Repeated application of herbicides leads to loss of
biodiversity as some herbicides are not easily
degradable, they persist in soil, leach to groundwater
and surface water.
• These problems have led to the ban of some of these
pesticides including herbicides.
• Recent survey carried out in three states in Nigeria
in a World Bank assisted programme showed that
many of the pesticides are still being used.
• Many of such users are inadequately informed about
the risks and the need for precautions in the correct
application of such toxic chemicals as intensive
application may result in negative effects which
cannot be ignored.

6. Introduction (Cont’d)
• Like all Pesticides, herbicides could impact
negatively on the environment and human health
as they have been discovered to have toxic
effects especially if not properly managed.
• The harmful effects of herbicides are related to
the types and concentrations of the active
ingredients in each product, amount of herbicides
a person is exposed to, duration of exposure and
route of entry (toxicological effects).
• Some of the harmful environmental and health
effects of herbicides are discussed below.

7. Environmental Effects of Herbicides
Major negative effects of herbicides on the environment can be sub-
divided into the following:
i) Soil Contamination
Pesticides enter the soil during applications e.g spray drift during
foliage treatment, wash-off from treated foliage, release from
granulates or from treated seeds in soil.
ii)Water Contamination
Pesticides can get into water during application such as spraying or
by runoff from treated areas and leaching through the soil.
Herbicides may also be applied directly onto water surface e.g.
for control of mosquitoes.
iii) Farming and Biodiversity
Destruction of biodiversity has been linked to intensive use
of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture leading to loss of natural
and semi-natural habitats and decreased habitat heterogeneity.

8. Health Effects of Herbicides
• Essentially, foods that are consumed raw like fruits
and vegetables may contain herbicide residues.
• These pose health risk in the body system when they
are consumed as food.
Diseases associated with herbicides poisoning
can be acute or chronic.
Acute effects:
• Abdominal pain, dizziness, headaches, nausea,
vomiting, as well as skin and eye problems.
Long Term Effects
• Cancer, Neurological problems, Dementia,
Reproductive (menstrual cycle, birth defects,
miscarriages, small for age babies at birth) etc.

9. Health Effects of Herbicides (Cont’d)
Effects on major organs
EyeEye BrainBrain GIGI MuscleMuscle GlandsGlands LungsLungs
BlurringBlurring
PinpointPinpoint
pupilpupil
HeadacheHeadache
DizzyDizzy
FatigueFatigue
StaggeringStaggering
gaitgait
TremorTremor
SeizureSeizure
Loss ofLoss of
ConsciousnesConsciousnes
ss
ComaComa
DiarrheaDiarrhea
VomitingVomiting
NauseaNausea
CrampsCramps
WeaknessWeakness
CrampsCramps
TwitchingTwitching
DroolingDrooling
SweatingSweating
TearingTearing
Short ofShort of
breathbreath
CoughCough
WheezingWheezing
Runny noseRunny nose
Chest painChest pain

10. Health Effects of Pesticides including Herbicides
(Cont’d)
Sources of risks to children
Dietary
Residential
use
Drinking
water
Parentaltake-home
Farmproximity

11. National Regulations on Pesticides
• As part of her mandate to ensure compliance with any legislation on
sound management, safe use of pesticides and disposal of spent
packages of pesticides, NESREA has developed National
Environmental Regulations on hazardous chemicals/pesticides.
• The Regulations have undergone the relevant review processes
including expert and other stakeholders review.
• The roles and responsibilities of relevant stakeholders have been
discussed at the National Regulatory Dialogue.
• The Regulation is currently in the Federal Ministry of Justice for
gazzeting.
• It is expected that the Regulations will go a long way in addressing
issues relating to proper pesticides management including its use
and application.

12. Safety Tips on Herbicides Application
Due to the health effects associated with herbicides use, certain
precautionary measures are to be put in place.
A herbicide applicator must have good understanding of the safe
application. Some of the safety tips to be observed include:
Reading label before purchase and application, to check specific
purpose, toxicity, safety information, expiry date and follow
instructions carefully;
 Not mixing herbicides if the label prohibits or warns against it, or
if you are unsure of the impact of the mixture in the spray solution
or on the target crop.
Using herbicides only for the purpose(s) stated on the label;
Identifying specific weed problem before taking action on herbicides
to be used;
Using adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) before pesticide
application;
Adopting spot applications rather than area-wide applications;
Making sure you have the correct equipment for weed killer
application. This may include dusters, sprayers or granular applicators.

13. Safety Tips on Herbicides Application
(Cont’d)
 Mixing herbicides according to specifications on the label using the
exact proportions, mix only the amount needed and do not store
mixed herbicides;
 Ensuring food is stored in sealed containers, dishes utensils, and
surfaces are appropriately covered before application;
 Installing check (or non-return) valves which prevent back-flow
when filling spray tanks from surface waters;
 Choosing the best day and time for herbicides application, observe
wind direction, wind speed, temperature and humidity, and ensure
that they are within acceptable limits before spraying to avoid
unpredictable spray drift. Morning and evening time are best time
for spraying;
 Considering spraying only when the wind is blowing away from the
sensitive area. If this is not possible, spray only the upwind section
of the area, in order to provide a practicable buffer distance,
having regard for the chemical, its formulation, the sensitivity of
the adjoining area and the wind speed and direction

14. Safety Tips on Herbicides Application (Cont’d)
 Setting the release height of the boom as low as possible consistent
with nozzle specifications and coverage requirements, not exceeding
optimum boom height specified by the nozzle manufacturer;
 Spraying pressure should be as low as possible, consistent with
nozzle specifications and coverage requirements;
 Selecting nozzles that minimize the number of fine droplets that
have the potential to drift, consistent with good coverage of the
crop;
 Checking for leaking connections or nozzles;
 Storing herbicides in original container in a locked cabinet away from
temperature extremes
 Washing pesticide application clothes separately from other clothes
before wearing them again;
 Ensuring proper clean up after application before eating or drinking;
 Neutralizing un-used pesticides or containers appropriately before
disposal;

15. Safety Tips on Herbicides Application
(Cont’d)
 Keeping pesticides out of the reach of children as well as already
treated and restricted areas;
 Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after spraying;
 Thoroughly washing Personal Protective Equipment at the
completion of each job, and store to ensure it does not become
contaminated or damaged;
 Ensuring that appropriate arrangements and facilities for the
proper disposal of waste chemicals and containers are provided; and
 Ensuring that recyclable or refillable containers are used wherever
possible etc.

16. Conclusion
• The importance of pesticides including herbicides in its
relevant areas of uses cannot be over emphasized.
• Hence the need for safe application of pesticides in
order to prevent adverse effects on agricultural yield,
human health and the environment.

17. THANK YOU
…NESREA
ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment…