Terengganu on the lookout for dangerous carrot weed

Weed contains the chemicals parthenin, hymenin and ambrosin which could be harmful to health.

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu Agriculture Department is monitoring and conducting checks on the presence of carrot weed, scientifically known as ‘parthenium hysterophorus’, which can cause allergy, especially to children and elderly people, in the state.

State Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Committee chairman Nawi Mohamad said so far, the department had yet to locate the growth of the weed in Terengganu.

“If there are individuals who have seen the weed, they are advised to contact the nearest agriculture office so that immediate measures can be taken to destroy the plant,” he told Bernama here today.

He said the move was necessary as the weed could cause allergy to those exposed to it. Pollen from the weed is said to contain the chemicals parthenin, hymenin and ambrosin which could be harmful to health.

Last week, a newspaper reported on workers in an oil palm plantation in Sidam, Kedah, having respiratory problems and rashes on their bodies, believed to be caused by the presence of the weed which originated from Mexico.

- BERNAMA