Säkrare hantering av bekämpningsmedel i växthus

When agrochemicals are used, there is a risk for polluting soil and water, expressed as diffuse pollution and pollution through point sources. Point sources are normally related to handling and storage of pesticides and operations such as filling, cleaning, etc. This aspect has not earlier been studied for the greenhouse industry, in spite the fact that many of given advice and methods for field agriculture are hardly possible to imply in greenhouse production. The objective of this project has been, through case studies, to investigate and collect information on real life handling of chemicals, in order to survey high risk operations and need for improvements. The term ‘handling’ covers all operations, except spraying. The case studies covered 18 pot plant producers, where operations were documented and spray operators were interviewed. The study shows snapshots from these operations and must not be generalised to Swedish pot plant production as a whole. The study showed differences between companies and in many cases space for improvement. The result of the project could be summarised in the following points: • Storing of chemicals was satisfactory, but the location of the storage room implied unsafe transports within the greenhouse complex • Measuring of pesticides were made at places, where a possible spill would cause pollution of soil and water • Filling of sprayers were made at places, where a possible spill would cause pollution of soil and water • Some companies had established biobeds or closed tanks, which considerable reduced the risks in mixing, filling and cleaning • Cleaning of sprayers was a rare operation • The most obvious reduction of risks would be obtained if the chemical storage was moved close to the filling position and the filling site was hard surfaced with a drain pipe connected to a biobed or closed tank • Use of equipment for personal protection made work operations difficult and complicated, thus giving lower priority to personal protection. Improvements seemed possible. The original objectives of the project were, besides the documentation, to develop safe and appropriate systems (a suitable combination of technical equipment, structural components, working routines, etc), corresponding to what we find in field agriculture, but suitable for the conditions of greenhouse production. As the project only was financed partly, the later part has been reduced, giving the suggestions a character of preliminary sketches. A continuation of the project has been applied for. The project has been financed by LRF Konsult, Malmö, Partnership Alnarp and by the Swedish Board of Agriculture. The results will be distributed to greenhouse growers, mainly through cooperation with advisers and at spray operator license courses