Via the Green Phone of the Association Green Istria we received the inquiries of the citizens regarding the information related to the suppression of undesirable vegetation (weeds) on the gravel paths and walkways of the ‘Monte Zaro’ park in Pula.

Part of the e-mail which we received read as follows: “Since I walk through Monte Zaro with my grandson every day, I think it is horrible that the tracks are treated with poisons and that the child must not touch the stones on a gravel track." In order to provide the relevant information to the citizens on this issue, we asked for that information from the municipal enterprise "Pula Herculanea d.o.o." who carries out the aforementioned works.

We got the answer that for the suppression of undesirable vegetation on the gravel path they used preparations with the trade name Chikara (active substance flazasulfuron) and Total (active substance glyphosate). Among other detailed product information, they note that the aforementioned products, when properly applied, are not considered harmful and dangerous to health, and compare that the aforementioned preparations are 15-20 times more toxic than aspirin or common plant protection products. They note that, according to them, there is a greater danger of swallowing or aspiration of small stones by children than from poisoning by these preparations.

The official response did not satisfy the citizen who reported the case to us and she said “This is a park through which I will no longer walk ..." The scientists who have determined that this is the world’s most widely used weed killer present in our plates would disagree that glyphosate is harmless. Four out of 10 interviewed Croats also had a concentration of AMPA in their body, an acid which is a product of degradation of glyphosate in the body.

According to many studies that have been made in recent years, glyphosate has very negative effects on human health. It causes diseases such as cancer, and endocrine and genetic disorders. But it is more likely that these concentration levels enter through food rather than through a walk in the park so we hope that there is no cause for panic.