THOUSANDS of litres of probably cancer-causing chemicals are being sprayed in Glasgow's parks and greenspaces, the Evening Times can reveal.

Glasgow City Council staff use glyphosate-based weedkiller to treat nuisance plants, including Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed, in every park in the city.

The controversial chemical was named a "probable carcinogen" by the World Health Organisation (WHO) earlier this year, prompting the French and Dutch authorities to take it off their shelves.

This year alone Glasgow City Council has bought around 4700 litres of glyphosate-based weedkiller used to treat particularly problematic weeds up to four times a year.

The chemical is also used three times a year on weeds growing on hard surfaces, and is recommended for use on specific plants on the council's own website.

Other local authorities across Scotland also routinely use the substance to tackle unwanted plants.

Green party councillor Martha Wardrop said the chemical usage was of "serious concern" and has called for it to be banned altogether.

Glasgow City Council have confirmed they are trialling other products in an attempt to reduce the usage of the substance.

Ms Wardrop said: "I was made aware by constituents of the dangers of using this weed killer and obviously the announcement the WHO has made along with research showing there is cancer risk associated with its use.

"The council is monitoring information it receives about the cancer risk and reviewing health and safety for staff but the lead would need to come from the Scottish Government, looking at the evidence considered by the French and Dutch government.

"It makes sense to follow what they are doing in banning it and finding alternative ways to deal with weeds."

The Hillhead councillor also said the chemicals could present a danger to children, cats and dogs that may be "at the level of the weeds" and more likely to come in contact with them.

She added: "It's a public health issue. There is a health impact of all of this, so it's a bit about raising awareness of the impact this weedkiller has."

Scottish Green party leader Patrick Harvie has also called for an alternative.

He said: "The city council needs to take seriously the evidence that this weedkiller is a probable cause of cancer.

"Although the World Health Organisation reached its conclusion based on studies of mainly agricultural exposure, the precautionary principle should apply.

"Other authorities have started using non-chemical treatments to keep public spaces looking good, so I don't see why Glasgow can't follow suit.

"Public health should be paramount, and we shouldn't be taking chances with a risky product that remains in our environment after it has been sprayed."

Glasgow city council said the treatments are carried out by trained parks staff, and some areas are only treated once a year, while others are treated up to four times a year.

Scottish Government Public Health Minister Maureen Watt said: “We recognise the evaluation of glyphosate, which will be considered as part of the on-going peer review undertaken by the European Food Safety Authority. The EFSA will send their final conclusions to the European Commission for consideration, and the EC will then decide whether this herbicide should be included in the EU’s list of approved active substances. We will continue to keep this under review, and we will work with our health protection experts to ensure our policy on glyphosate reflects their professional view of the evidence available.”