Activists rally near Government House, calling for an immediate ban on paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos, in June last year. (File photo)The Pharmacy Council has asked the national committee on hazardous substances to ban two herbicides, paraquat and glyphosate, and the pesticide chlorpyrifos before year's end in the interests of public safety. Researchers had found paraquat contamination in the blood of pregnant women, umbilical cords, meconium (a newborn's faeces), water, plants and food. Chlorpyrifos retarded children's learning ability and had been found in the blood of pregnant women and umbilical cords. The government's ad hoc committee on hazardous substances was expected to make a decision on the matter on Thursday.

Source: Bangkok Post February 13, 2019 09:56 UTC