Abstract
Unplanned urbanization and development have created spaces for weeds which cause several problems, making streets and built areas unattractive. The use of herbicides in controlling weeds in these areas has become the vogue in recent times. This is done without considering the attendant health effects on human and the environment. This study analyzed precautionary measures adopted in South-western Nigeria when residents apply herbicides for lawn maintenance. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to administer structured questionnaire randomly to 313 selected residents in Ondo and Osun States, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data obtained. The study revealed that about 78 percent of respondents received information on the application of herbicides by reading the directions on the labels. The study also revealed that adherence to the directions on the labels of herbicide containers (88.18%) was the most practised health safety precautions followed by washing of hands (77.96%) and taking instant showers after herbicide application (74.76%). Unacceptable attitudes such as eating, drinking and smoking during herbicides application were practised by a smaller percentage of the respondents in the two States. The study concluded that most of the residents in the study area are exposed to health hazards associated with the use of herbicides due to non-strict compliance with safety measures during the application of these chemicals.
Key words: Weeds, Herbicides, Environment, Safety practices
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