A RURAL chemical study, which will be an Australian first, is set take place in Esperance in February next year.
The study will investigate chemicals and the possible transmission of chemical residue from farmers to their partners and children inside the family home.
South East Premium Wheat Growers Association (SEPWA) is coordinating the study and will investigate in collaboration with Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health based in Geraldton.
SEPWA Executive Officer Gemma Walker said 20 farming families within the Esperance Port Zone will participate in the chemical monitoring study.
“We will be using literature review, urine samples and other identification methods,” Ms Walker said.
“It will involve pre-seeding and post-seeding in order to determine how much each of the family members are being exposed to chemicals, if any at all.”
Ms Walker said part of the aim of the project is to be more aware of the potential for safe handling practices.
SEPWA secured more than $105,000 from Rural Industries Research, Development Corporation and Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health for the project.
Combined Universities Centre Rural Health Register Nurse and Senior Project Officer Jackie Ward generated the idea for the study when she was looking for a thesis project.
“It’s a really good reminders for farmers to be responsible for not only for not only themselves but for their family,” Ms Ward said.
“The chemical companies improve the chemicals perhaps quicker than people realise, so often they don’t keep up to date on how new chemicals should be handled,” she said.
“We want to make sure farmers use their personal protective equipment to ensure they think of their health and the health of their families.”
“Not getting a good crop is important but their health is more important.”
SEPWA President Lyndon Mickel said planning for the project has been proceeding for two years.
He said this study could generate enormous flow-on effects for the agricultural industry and the scientific community.
“It goes a little outside what we normally do with this we are more looking at the health and well being of family member,” Mr Mickel said.
“We are not saying people are doing the wrong things, it’s looking at farming and the people’s health in the farming industry.
“In the future this could also lead to more farmers wearing protective equipment and contaminated clothing being stored and washed outside the house.”
Findings will be presented at the SEPWA Harvest Debrief in March 2012.
Marie Fowler of Orleans Farm, whose family will be participating in the study, says she is curious to see the results as she has young children.
“I would also like to see just what is going on in our washing machine,” she said.
