Herbicide used by pineapple growers making its way to water supply

February 4^th, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) The herbicide Bromacil is one of the most used by the pineapple sector on their plantations, and the Directorate of Environmental Quality Management (DIGECA), and the Ministry of Environment admit that the chemical is turning up in the water supply.  As a result, the agencies say they are working on a decree to restrict its use.

“We have analyzed, from the environmental point of view – that Bromacil is highly toxic, especially to humans, and is highly soluble and finds its way into groundwater after application,” said environmental expert Elidier Vargas, who explained that this same groundwater ends up being used for human consumption.

The decree would establish conditions under which the product could be used, as according to the agencies, many growers don’t realize that their plantations sit on top of aquifers.  Together, the agencies would establish a permanent monitoring system to determine the efficiency of the restrictions.

“We realize that [the chemical is appearing in the water supply] and so we have to try to stop that,” Vargas said, but admits he doesn’t know the level of health risk from the concentrations currently found in the water supply.

Vargas admitted that the concentrations found in Costa Rica are low compared to international standards of tolerance.  In Costa Rica there are no regulations concerning acceptable levels of the chemical.

Bromacil has been banned in several countries, such as Germany (1993), Belize (1990), Slovenia (1997) and Sweden (1990) due to the impact on health and the environment that may be caused by the presence of the chemical in the water supply.