All agricultural remedies offered for sale in South Africa MUST BE REGISTERED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE in terms of Act no. 36 of 1947. All labels must bare a statement to this effect together with a registration number. These labels are carefully scrutinized by the Department to exclude unsubstantiated claims of efficacy and to ensure that the "Warnings" and "Precautions" have been compiled to safeguard the user against poisoning and unnecessary contamination of the treated commodity and the environment.

The general principles of responsible use are:

• Handle with care
• Store under lock and key
• Keep out of reach of children, uninformed persons and animals
• Always read and follow the instructions on the label
• Wear protective clothing
• Do not eat, drink or smoke whilst handling pesticides
• Wash thoroughly after use
• Destroy empty containers and do not use for any other purpose
• Do not contaminate the environment

Poisoning and First-Aid Treatment

All pesticides are considered to be potentially poisonous and must be handled accordingly. In any case of poisoning or suspected poisoning:

• Remove person from source of poisoning
• Keep the person still, calm and reassured
• Remove contaminated clothing and wash skin thoroughly with soap and cold water

If person has swallowed an emulsible concentrate or solution in an organic solvent, he/she should not be made to vomit before administering a demulcent such as milk of magnesia, beaten egg-white or starch solution in copious quantities. If formulations contain volatile solvents, vomiting must not be induced as it can cause severe lung damage. In the case of other formulations or mixtures, induce vomiting by tickling the back of the throat. Repeat until vomit fluid is clear and free from the smell of the poison.

If a remedy has been splashed in the eyes, rinse eyes in clean running water for at least 15 minutes and consult a medical doctor

Call or consult a medical doctor as soon as possible and inform him/her of any recent contact with pesticide(s), preferably the common name (active ingredient) of the poison(s). This name appears on the label

In an emergency, the following poison centres can be consulted:

BLOEMFONTEIN	University of Free State	082 491 0160
CAPE TOWN	Tygerberg Hospital	(021) 931 6129
GAUTENG	Medical Rescue International	0800 111 9900
GAUTENG	Poison Working Group	082 446 8946
WINDHOEK	Central Hospital	(061) 203 9111