To shed light on how such dangerous substances reach communities and toprovide guidance on safer alternatives, we speak with Dr. Gerhard Verdoon,Operations and Stewardship Manager at CropLife South Africa. With his expertise in toxicology and a Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from the University of Johannesburg, Dr. Verdoon is well-placed to explain how pesticide poisonings can occur, what symptoms to watch for, and how local shopkeepers can protect their communities by avoiding dangerous and unauthorized pesticides