Sheep dip

Plunge dipping sheep

Sheep dip is a liquid formulation of insecticide and fungicide which shepherds and farmers may use to protect their sheep from infestation against external parasites such as itch mite (Psorobia ovis), blow-fly, ticks and lice.

"Sheep dip" was also American Central Intelligence Agency argot for a cover story originally connected to Project Oxcart.[1][2]

In computing, the term "sheep dip" refers to passing files through a dedicated computer to test files for viruses before allowing the files into a company or institution.[3]

History

The world's first sheep dip was invented and produced by George Wilson of Coldstream, Scotland in 1830. That dip was based on arsenic powder and was exported by package steamer from nearby Berwick-upon-Tweed.[4]

Design

Sheep dip is available as wettable powders, pastes, solutions or suspensions which are used to prepare diluted solutions or suspensions. The term is used both for the formulation itself, and the trough in which the sheep is dipped. The sheep are completely immersed in the preparation.

There are two broad classes of sheep dip: organophosphorus compounds, from which chemical warfare agents were later developed, and synthetic pyrethroids. Organophosphorous compounds are very toxic to humans, as they travel easily through the skin. When traveling over water, containers for these sheep dips are subject to United Nations regulations which state that they must remain legible after immersion in water.

Plunge sheep dips may be a permanent in-ground structure or a steel transportable mobile dip. Invented after the permanent plunge dip was the rotating, power spray dip. These dips are redundant in the major sheep breeding countries, as the backliners and jetting provide a better alternative.

Environmental impact

Sheep dips have been found to cause soil contamination and water pollution.[5] They contain chemical insecticides that are highly toxic to aquatic plants and animals.[6] For this reason, it is important that the dip and dipped sheep are well managed to avoid spreading the chemicals and causing water pollution.

Impact on Farmers

Some chemicals used in Sheep Dips are known to have been harmful. A Sheep Dip based on Organo-Phosphates have resulted in neurological conditions known as 'OP Poisioning'.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Sanitization or "sheep-dipping"
  2. ↑ "Sheep Dipping" Conversion of Air Force Officers to CIA For Project Oxcart
  3. ↑ SheepDip Project - SourceForge
  4. ↑ W. E. Howden - The Oldest Pet Food Shop in Britain Retrieved 2010-12-10
  5. ↑ "Managing old sheep dip and footbath sites: a guideline for landowners" (PDF). January 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
  6. ↑ http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/sectors/32791.aspx
  7. ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/apr/20/revealed-government-knew-of-farm-poisoning-risk-but-failed-to-act