KUCHING, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak Natural Resources and EnvironmentBoard (NREB) has identified pesticide residues, chiefly paraquat andglyphosate, in several streams in peat swamp areas where oil palmplantations are located.NREB deputy chairman Dr James Dawos said Tuesday it was one of the mainpollution sources detected by NREB from oil palm plantations which appliedthese pesticides to the crops to control insect pests, weeds, fungi andother problems.

"Pesticide residues reaching surface water can harm freshwater and aquaticorganisms, damaging recreational and commercial fisheries besides posingrisks to human health in water supplies," he told 120 participantsattending a two-day international conference on Organic Farming ForSustainable Development, here.

Presenting a working paper entitled "Impact of Organic Farming On TheEnvironment," he said some commonly used pesticides were probable orpossible human carcinogens.

He said a significant proportion of coliform bacteria, up to 12,700counts/100 ml, had also been found in streams and rivers near to suchplantations and was a leading source of impairment in Sarawak's rivers.

-- BERNAMA

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