This plunge dip was on Clayton Station, South Canterbury. The plunge dip used to be a standard practice, where sheep were completely immersed in a solution to kill insect pests such as sheep scab or lice. These dips were arsenic based until the 1950s, when they were replaced by organochlorine and organophosphate chemicals. Since 1980 less toxic and persistent chemicals have been used. Arsenic and other chemicals stay in the soil for many years and can contaminate ground water. Former dip sites should be registered.
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Alexander Turnbull Library, Vance Collection
Reference:
1/2-002358; F
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
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