The other day the Council's rat poison man spilt a scoop of poison on my plot, and then dug it in. I noticed the area - about 10' x 4' - had been dug over and I could see a sprinkling of grains on the surface, but I turned a bit over with a fork and the soil is heavily contaminated - I'd guestimate that 1kg of poison was spilt.
I strongly object to rat poison as I've mentioned here before, but now I'm worried about the safety of leaving that much poison in the soil. I was ill before Christmas and had some blood tests done and it turns out I had thrombocytopenia, and although there are a bunch of causes, anticoagulent rat poison is a cause, so now I'm also worried that this kind of thing has been going on for ages without my knowledge.
I've contacted environmental health to see if they can advise, and I've also asked the council to remove the contaminated soil, test the rest of my plot for contamination, and remove the bait boxes from site, but I'm not so sure they'll want to.
What would you adivise?
good lord,how terrible! id do what you are already doing,plus get them to pay to replace the soil! are you well now?
Bury spilt rat poison totally out of order, I don't think the vermin controller stuck to his code of conduct when it comes to spilt poisons, would plants grow in an area that was contaminated with poison I suppose it depends on what type of poison it was, but all the same you have good cause for conplaint :)
Quote from: elvis2003 on February 03, 2011, 17:21:24
are you well now?
Yes, thank you. I'd had some heavy nose bleeds but I hadn't thought anything of it, and I don't think my illness was related to that, but it unexpectedly turned up the thrombocytopenia in blood tests, and it had gone away in the followup test, but it's a funny old thing because my potatoes ran out at the same time and it's just got me a bit concerned.
Quote from: Mr Smith on February 03, 2011, 17:37:50
Bury spilt rat poison totally out of order, I don't think the vermin controller stuck to his code of conduct when it comes to spilt poisons, would plants grow in an area that was contaminated with poison I suppose it depends on what type of poison it was, but all the same you have good cause for conplaint :)
Thanks very much Mr Smith. I haven't taken it up directly with the contractor, but they do have a code of conduct don't they. I wonder if I can get hold of that.
Id be furious if someone took it upon themselves to dig about in my plot! Did he try to contact you or anyone to tell you what had happened? Anyone can be forgiven for spilling something,but leaving it there without warning is a different matter,what if you had a pet or child at the plot with you?
http://openlibrary.org/books/OL19464416M/BPCA_code_of_practice_for_persons_engaged_in_commercial_industrial_and_public_health_pest_control_using_products_approved_under_the_Food_and_Environment_Protection_Act_1985.
have a look here, Simon
Unbelievable!
I don't know if it's because of my suspicious nature, or being married to a Sicilian, but it almost sounds as if they have done it on purpose. Has it only been done on your plot?
Quote from: elvis2003 on February 03, 2011, 17:47:47
Id be furious if someone took it upon themselves to dig about in my plot! Did he try to contact you or anyone to tell you what had happened? Anyone can be forgiven for spilling something,but leaving it there without warning is a different matter,what if you had a pet or child at the plot with you?
Apparently the contractor phoned the council, but the council didn't contact me. I just happened to notice the disturbance and by chance a local councillors was on site for a smoking bonfire so I asked him to have a look at the poison and he took it up with the council. The mailed me in response to explain what had happened.
There was a considerable amount of grain on the surface when I saw the spill but I guess the birds have picked that up because there was almost none left when the council officer came and had a look the next day. I hope it wasn't my neighbours chickens then picked it up - they often get out and the poison is placed around her chooks's pen.
Quote from: Squash64 on February 03, 2011, 17:48:53
Unbelievable!
I don't know if it's because of my suspicious nature, or being married to a Sicilian, but it almost sounds as if they have done it on purpose. Has it only been done on your plot?
It's not just you Betty, I've considered the possibility that it was malicious, especially when I started to worry about previous contamination, but if it was spilt by the pest-control contractor as I was told then it's implausible that she would do it maliciously. I think it was an accident.
It's ironic though that I should have had a heated exchange of e-mails with the council when they started poisoning several years ago. They have a legal obligation to pick up poisoned carcasses to prevent secondary poisoning to predators like the site cats, dogs that come in through the hedge from the park, red kites, etc. The council told me that they couldn't afford to look for carcasses, but they installed a bin for tenants to use for any dead rats they find. Permanent poisoning is stupid anyway, because rats just move in from the countryside. It also creates immunity - Newbury was one of the first places to see second-generation anticoagulent rodenticide-immune super rats in the early nineties. The Council spend several thousand pounds on rat poison - and we've never ever had a rat problem! Seriously, in 15 years on site I have never ever seen a rat!
Quote from: tonybloke on February 03, 2011, 17:48:37
have a look here, Simon
Thanks Tony. I couldn't find an on-line version of the text. I've mainled the organisation - the web page rejected my message because my my e-mail address is blacklisted!
Why on earth didn't the guy just scrape it up again?
Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on February 03, 2011, 18:41:29
Why on earth didn't the guy just scrape it up again?
I wondered that too. I suppose it was easier for him to fork it in.
I know you don't see eye to eye with the council but this is going a bit far...
Some of us have naturally recurring thrombocytopenia, if they did it on my plot it could have been fatal... :-X
Equally an elderly plot holder like my neighbour (93) on Warfarin could have serious problems...
I'd certainly be going to the press with that one if it was my plots...
Quote from: saddad on February 03, 2011, 18:54:54
I know you don't see eye to eye with the council but this is going a bit far...
Some of us have naturally recurring thrombocytopenia, if they did it on my plot it could have been fatal... :-X
Equally an elderly plot holder like my neighbour (93) on Warfarin could have serious problems...
I'd certainly be going to the press with that one if it was my plots...
Blimey, that's not good. The Council haven't even apologised, though apparently the contractor apologised for the inconvenience. I guess being poisoned would be a bit inconvenient.
Quote from: Unwashed on February 03, 2011, 18:28:45
Quote from: Squash64 on February 03, 2011, 17:48:53
Unbelievable!
I don't know if it's because of my suspicious nature, or being married to a Sicilian, but it almost sounds as if they have done it on purpose. Has it only been done on your plot?
It's not just you Betty, I've considered the possibility that it was malicious, especially when I started to worry about previous contamination, but if it was spilt by the pest-control contractor as I was told then it's implausible that she would do it maliciously. I think it was an accident.
It's ironic though that I should have had a heated exchange of e-mails with the council when they started poisoning several years ago. They have a legal obligation to pick up poisoned carcasses to prevent secondary poisoning to predators like the site cats, dogs that come in through the hedge from the park, red kites, etc. The council told me that they couldn't afford to look for carcasses, but they installed a bin for tenants to use for any dead rats they find. Permanent poisoning is stupid anyway, because rats just move in from the countryside. It also creates immunity - Newbury was one of the first places to see second-generation anticoagulent rodenticide-immune super rats in the early nineties. The Council spend several thousand pounds on rat poison - and we've never ever had a rat problem! Seriously, in 15 years on site I have never ever seen a rat!
Simon, I agree with Saddad, go to the press.
The pest control officer is employed by the Council so it's not beyond the realms of possibility that she was told to be 'careless' on your plot. I think there is more to this than meets the eye.
Quote from: Unwashed on February 03, 2011, 17:43:16
Quote from: Mr Smith on February 03, 2011, 17:37:50
Bury spilt rat poison totally out of order, I don't think the vermin controller stuck to his code of conduct when it comes to spilt poisons, would plants grow in an area that was contaminated with poison I suppose it depends on what type of poison it was, but all the same you have good cause for conplaint :)
Thanks very much Mr Smith. I haven't taken it up directly with the contractor, but they do have a code of conduct don't they. I wonder if I can get hold of that.
A good place to start would be a good country store that sells to Farmers, they will have a poisons book to keep a record of weedkillers etc that are on the restricted list and are not on general sale to the public, they should have a reference guide, there are hundreds of regs relating to poisons or the EA would also be able to help in fact I think they would like to know about the rat poison being buried in the ground,
vitamin k1 is the antidote for anti coagulants found in some vegtables i think u will find t
Quote from: Mr Smith on February 03, 2011, 19:42:55
A good place to start would be a good country store that sells to Farmers, they will have a poisons book to keep a record of weedkillers etc that are on the restricted list and are not on general sale to the public, they should have a reference guide, there are hundreds of regs relating to poisons or the EA would also be able to help in fact I think they would like to know about the rat poison being buried in the ground,
Thanks Mr Smith. I phoned the EA but they said it wasn't their thing unless it was contaminating a water course. The environmental health people said it was their responsibility and they'll be getting back to me tomorrow.
I've also had a response from the British Pest Control Association which was pretty swift so I'm just clarifying the situation with them to see if they can suggest what should have happened, and what should happen now.
Quote from: herbigerbi on February 03, 2011, 20:00:07
vitamin k1 is the antidote for anti coagulants found in some vegtables i think u will find t
It's in cauliflower if memory serves, though I'd rather not need the antidote if it's all the same. I nursed my dog Emily through idopathic thrombocytopenia - successfully as it happens - and I wouldn't have that happen to any living creature, and that includes rats. Emily wasn't poisoned, it was an autoimmune response, but it was life-changing all the same.
This is an appalling story. I wish you all the best in getting to the bottom of it, you seem the sort of person who will persist..... ;)
Thanks small.
We were at moms care home last week when the pest control paid a visit. We watched her as she checked a box outside by the drain, She emptied it by sweeping the dust out with a little handbroom and filled it up and put it back. all this without any gloves on.
I do hope that this poison wasn't put on your plot on purpose Unwashed. And I hope that you are soon feeling well again.
Can I ask (please don't be offended) - you're sure it's rat poison, right? It's on dyed blue corn but the commercial stuff is often in blocks to make it easier to use.
But anyway, it's outrageous to dig it in like that. I hope you get it safely sorted.
Quote from: DenbyVisitor on February 04, 2011, 10:03:22
Can I ask (please don't be offended) - you're sure it's rat poison, right? It's on dyed blue corn but the commercial stuff is often in blocks to make it easier to use.
But anyway, it's outrageous to dig it in like that. I hope you get it safely sorted.
It's red-dyed corn, The Council have confirmed that the contrctor slipped and spilt it.
I've just heard from the Environmental Health people and they spoke to the Council who have agreed to replace the contaminated top soil. So a result.
As always, I'm hugely grateful for all of your support. Thank you.
Simon
good result - I'm pleased for you.
Anne
that was quick! pleased for you
Wow !! your council helping you? whatever next!! LOL
good result Simon, glad you got it sorted quickly.
rgds, Tony
Well done Simon. Nice to know things can get sorted ::). It's knowing who to go to. I think you have a touch of the same syndrome as our daughter. Her nickname is Fluffy the rottweiler. She's 5' 1/2'' but that doesn't stop her ;) ;D.
Result! Good on you for not letting that one go unchallenged. Hope it gets replaced with decent topsoil.
So glad you got it sorted Simon.
Also very glad to hear they owned up and agreed to put it right.
But what a thing to do.
Bump.
Just wondering how things have gone on after a few days now.
Have they removed the soil and did you get the apology you were looking for after such a shameful experience on their part?