Excess fungicide residues could ‘impair groundwater for years’
Residues of chlorothalonil, an agricultural fungicide banned in Switzerland because of its carcinogenic risks, are still too high in the groundwater from which most drinking water is obtained.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ts
Português
pt
Excesso de resíduos fungicidas pode prejudicar lençol freático durante anos
The agricultural regions of the Central Plateau, which is used intensively for agriculture and which is where most people live in Switzerland, are particularly affected, the Federal Office for the Environment said on TuesdayExternal link.
Four chlorothalonil metabolites (intermediate substances produced during the degradation of the fungicide) were found to be present in groundwater in concentrations exceeding the legal limit of 0.1 microgram per litre of drinking water. The measurements were taken in 2020.
Two of the metabolites (R471811 and R417888) are widely polluting the waters of the Central Plateau, the environment office said, referring to a new nationwide data set for chlorothalonil R471811. More than half of Switzerland’s 26 cantons – and all the cantons in French-speaking Switzerland – are affected.
Groundwater is especially affected by the metabolite R471811, which exceeds the limit value at more than 60% of the stations in the Plateau. Nationwide, one in three stations is affected. Chlorothalonil R417888 is present in excess concentrations at more than 20% of the stations in the Plateau.
More
More
Swiss groundwater quality threatened by pollution
This content was published on
The water quality studyExternal link from the Federal Office for the EnvironmentExternal link (FOEN), released on Thursday, said groundwater faces the greatest pressures in areas of high farming activity. It stated that groundwater is currently safe to drink but argued for a range of measures to ensure that remains the case. The study measured water…
Since groundwater, from which 80% of drinking water in Switzerland is obtained, takes a relatively long time to renew and the chlorothalonil metabolites are very persistent, “it can be assumed that these contaminants significantly impair groundwater for many years”, the environment office warned.
Chlorothalonil, an active substance applied in plant protection products, has been used in Swiss agriculture since the 1970s, particularly in cereals, vegetables, grapevines and ornamental plants. Its sale and use have been banned in Switzerland since January 2020 due to health risks in its metabolites.
Swiss-based Syngenta, which produces such fungicides, has appealed against the decision of the Federal Office for Agriculture. The process is still ongoing.
Popular Stories
More
Foreign affairs
What Trump’s return or a new Harris administration would mean for Switzerland
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
Is reforming the Swiss pension system still possible, and if so, how?
Solutions still need to be found to meet the challenge of an ageing population and to improve the pensions of low-paid workers, the majority of whom are women.
This content was published on
Czech President Petr Pavel and his wife, Eva Pavlova, arrived in Switzerland on Tuesday at the start of a two-day state visit.
Study shows proliferation of non-native plants is driver of insect invasions
This content was published on
A global study has revealed that insect invasions are being driven by the proliferation of non-native plants. This can can massively disrupt ecological processes, often leading to serious economic impacts.
Swiss set record for world’s longest hyperloop test
This content was published on
Swiss scientists have established a record for the longest-ever hyperloop journey at a facility in Lausanne, Switzerland.
This content was published on
The Swiss army wants to purchase new German armoured howitzers to replace its existing artillery system which has been in operation for over 50 years.
Poll suggests Donald Trump has many fans in Switzerland
This content was published on
Around a quarter of Swiss citizens would vote for Donald Trump if they had the chance, according to a recent poll. This percentage is higher than in many other European countries.
Swiss court rejects special assistance for student with disabilities
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Court has rejected an application for special assistance from a student with disabilities at the federal technology institute ETH Zurich.
Police arrest 15 drug dealers in Verbier in southern Switzerland
This content was published on
Swiss and French police have arrested 15 suspected drug dealers operating in the mountain resort of Verbier in southern Switzerland.
New European space tech centre in Switzerland launches its first project
This content was published on
The European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre (ESDI), launched in collaboration with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), is to be located in the immediate vicinity of the PSI in northern Switzerland.
Swiss Federal Railways launches campaign for safety on public transport
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Railways is launching a campaign for greater respect and safety on public transport, with posters to go up in stations and on trains starting next week.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland and pesticides: Toxic relationship or necessary evil?
This content was published on
Swiss voters will soon decide if they want an outright ban on synthetic pesticides. Are the claims made by supporters true? A look at the facts.
This content was published on
Starting from next year, Switzerland will not allow the export of five hazardous plant protection products already banned in Switzerland.
This content was published on
Drinking water in at least a third of Switzerland’s 26 cantons contains above-recommended levels of the banned pesticide chlorothalonil.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.