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In the last three months, an estimated 500 million bees have died in four Brazilian states due to pesticide exposure, particularly from neonicotinoids and Fipronil used in soybean farming. The deaths have sparked concern among beekeepers and researchers over the impact on pollination, food security, and the broader ecosystem.
Download FileA study by the University of Neuchâtel found pesticide residues, including neonicotinoids, in 93% of organic farms and 80% of ecological compensation areas in Switzerland, despite these areas prohibiting synthetic insecticides. Residues were detected in soil and plant samples from 62 farms across the Swiss Plateau, with potential impacts on pollinators like bumblebees. The Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture notes that three of the five substances identified are now banned.
Download FileThe European Union has banned chlorothalonil, the most widely used pesticide in the UK, due to concerns over its potential harm to human health and wildlife. Safety officials found that breakdown products of the chemical may damage DNA and pose a high risk to amphibians and fish. Research also links chlorothalonil to declines in bumblebee populations. The ban, based on a review by the European Food Safety Authority (Efsa), will enter into force in late May 2019.
Download FileTwo young men, Ananta Khedkar and Raju Beldar, were found dead in their room in Dhankawadi, Pune, allegedly due to inhaling pesticide fumes from a recent pest control treatment. They had returned to their room the day before their deaths and were discovered lifeless when the canteen manager checked on them.
Download FileUpshur County has approved a plan to install pigeon spike strips around the dome and cupola of the 1899 courthouse to prevent damage from pigeon droppings, which are acidic and causing deterioration. Previous efforts, such as a noise machine, have failed. The county is seeking bids for the project, with a request for proposals due February 12, 2019.
Download FileResearchers from the University of Exeter have determined that fipronil, not neonicotinoids like imidacloprid, was the likely cause of mass honeybee mortality in France during the mid- to late-1990s. Their computer simulations and bioaccumulation studies show fipronil causes significant bee deaths and can accumulate in bees even at trace levels, leading to colony collapse. The findings suggest that pesticide regulation failed to identify fipronil's toxic potential, and it remains a concern, including in recent events near Cape Town, South Africa.
Download FileHundreds of tenants at Lake Arbor Apartments in west Charlotte report unsafe and unsanitary conditions, including rats, roaches, mold, and water damage. Residents have demanded action from Mecklenburg County leaders, who have inspected all 296 units and found 56 in compliance. The property owner, Broad Management, has not responded to requests for comment, and residents say they are being excluded from discussions about a planned corrective action plan.
Download FileUNK addresses the ongoing issue of pigeons nesting near the Health and Sports Center entrance, where droppings cause health and cleanliness concerns. Despite attempts with spikes, paint, and a falconer, staff are exploring cost-effective solutions, with custodial services cleaning the area frequently and proposing a more expensive structural redesign.
Download FileThe Saskatchewan Health Authority closed its brief and social detox unit in Saskatoon due to a cockroach infestation, with the facility undergoing fumigation and heat treatment. The 12-bed unit, which provides supervised detox for adults with drug or alcohol issues, is expected to reopen by Saturday. The closure also included proactive treatment for bedbugs and mice, and reduced services are being offered through other locations.
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