FEARS RAISED: Adam Presnell says he lost his job with the council because he refused to use a dangerous spray.

FEARS RAISED: Adam Presnell says he lost his job with the council because he refused to use a dangerous spray. Geoff Potter

AN ENVIRONMENTAL contractor claims Sunshine Coast council dumped him after he refused to treat aquatic weeds on sensitive dunal systems with a highly dangerous and illegal chemical cocktail.

ATP Environmental director Adam Presnell yesterday said the council had developed a product called Gloricide that was being used "widely and indiscriminately" in aquatic systems - particularly in coastal bushland conservation reserves - to control gloriosa lily.

The environmental scientist described Gloricide as being "massively high risk to life and the environment".

"There is a highly risky culture emerging in council and in the bush regeneration industry, and is starting to closely resemble chemical cowboys - kill it with chemicals anyway you can, ask questions later," he said.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority emailed Mr Presnell this week to say it is investigating his claims and will get back to him "as soon as feasible".

Mr Presnell, who is now out of work and had to retrench his three employees, said the use of Gloricide was contrary to the product's material safety data sheet.

He said the combination of formulas used in the product - which he had refused to touch - were not being used anywhere else in the world. He was left with severe headaches after using Metsulfuron-methyl, just one of the formulas used in Gloricide.

Mr Presnell said Gloricide also contained 2,4-D and Chemwet - two chemicals that were extremely hazardous to aquatic organisms.

He denied his decision to speak out was in revenge for losing his contract., saying he was shown the door after making numerous complaints.

Peter Nagel, council team leader for natural areas, said Chemwatch had developed Gloricide's MSDS.

Mr Nagel said the council had also been given an off-label permit to use the herbicide that the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority had approved.

"A detailed work procedure has also been developed to ensure the application of the herbicide is undertaken correctly and appropriately," he said.