Effect of Swell gel on wild life?

Granitechops

Granitechops

Narrow Gauge 1/12th scale on 45mm</br>Quarrying &
<p> </p><p>This morning as the sun is shining & it is very mild I took the oportunity to empty some hanging pouches that were past their best</p><p>as they were vertually root bound ,I tipped them out onto the compost heap ( which is covered over)</p><p> </p><p>I noticed the swell gel was very gloopy, & I wondered how attractive to birds it may be & what effect it would have on them</p><p> </p><p>I know the instructions say mix with compost & then top of with an inch or so of straight compost, presumably to stop birds eating it</p><p>but it does not say anything about disposal of granules after use.</p><p>Do these granules bio-degrade?</p><p>if eaten by a bird when wet & gloopy would they pass through without harm?</p><p>but if eaten dry, would they swell up inside & cause death?</p><p>they would, I suppose be less attractive when dry</p><p> </p><p>Any thoughts</p><p>any experience or tecnical knowledge?</p>
 
I'm not sure that birds would eat the stuff. They're not as stupid as some animals. They might be tempted to have a peck, but would be put off by the stickyness, and the lack of taste I imagine.

We use it a bit, but I'm not aware of having killed off any birds - yet
 
Dealing with animal intoxications (and wildlife) on daily basis, but didn't yet know about 'Swell Gel'
- Yes, am a bit ignorant, sorry! -
I looked it up:
http://www.swellgel.co.uk/health_safety.html (sorry ignorant about how to post www links, too)
and if you scroll down to 'toxicity' you find this:
_________________________________________________________________
TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Acute oral toxicity: LD50 Dose: >5000 mg/kg Limit test
Acute dermal toxicity: LD50 Dose: >2000 mg/kg Limit test
Skin irritation : Rabbit Method: OECD Nr. 404, Not irritative to the skin
Eye irritation : Rabbit Method: OECD Nr. 405 Not irritative
Sensitisation : No sensitisation
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Elimination information (persistence and degradability)
Biodegradability: Result: Not rapidly degradable under aerobic conditions.
_________________________________________________________________

So I should think it's ok! :)
PS: For the 1st time I see what a company has to do in terms of H&S tests on what I thought is just a gardening ingredient!
Interesting, good but in extent also a bit crazy!
 
<p> </p><p>Thanks Markus, very interesting. thanks for sharing that.</p><p> But my main concern was if it actually swelled up inside a bird , after ingesting, causing splitting of its crop or gut</p><p> rather than the toxicity</p>
 
Exploding pidgeon's? Nasty................................
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top