ANG Water Technologies LLC

 

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Also Home of the Aquatic Weed Harvester

 

Aquatic Herbicides

 

Aquatic Herbicide Alert

Please Note; ANG Water Technologies L.L.C. is not wholey against the  use of Aquatic Herbicides, some situations may warrant chemical control, it is our desire that communities research all non-toxic efforts prior to choosing chemical applications in an effort to protect the health and sustainability of all human and animal community members.

Please read this document if you are considering the use of herbicides in ponds or lakes for controlling nuisance and invasive weeds.

 

( Google “Aquatic Herbicide Alert”, by Little and Ayres for full document)

Never accept the material presented by a vendor on the health and environmental effects of an herbicide without verifying it with an independent authority such as the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Environmental Protection, Extoxnet, the Material Safety Data Sheet, or the Product Label itself.

Herbicides are a type of pesticide. The following four synthetic herbicides are being proposed, all are subject to site-specific local and state approval: 2,4-D, Diquat bromide (Reward), or Fluridone (Sonar), for killing aquatic plants; and glyphosate (Roundup or Rodeo) for killing embankment plants. All four pose health and environmental risks and provide only temporary relief from the weed problems.

Although EPA allows registration and restricted use of pesticides, they do not encourage their use. Registration of a product by the EPA does not imply that it is safe; there are currently thirty-six EPA registered pesticides which are carcinogenic. In fact, the EPA states that all “pesticide use creates some risk of harm to humans, animals, or the environment.” Pesticides should not be used as a routine, repeated, or long-term method for controlling invasive weeds in ponds and lakes. Even single-use applications must be carefully considered to ensure that the voluntary and involuntary health and environmental risks associated with broadcasting toxic chemicals into the environment are justified, and that alternative methods are not available.

Presented here is a summary of what is known about the actual health and environmental effects, and persistence, of the chemical herbicides in question. This information is obtained from the manufacturer’s Material Safety Data Sheets; the EPA; the DEP; EXTOXNET multi-University pesticide database; the New York State Board of Health; and the references appended to this document. A description of some of the non-chemical alternatives is also presented.

 

  • 2,4-D

    (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid. Exposure routes: 2,4-D is toxic if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. Acute toxicity: 2,4-D is moderately toxic via ingestion. It is highly toxic via eye exposure. It is readily absorbed through the skin and lungs. Chronic toxicity includes adverse effects to the liver, nerves, bone development, and possibly cancer. Environmental effects: It is moderately toxic to birds and highly toxic to fish.

     Persistence: The half-life in soil is less than 7 days. Despite its short half-life in soil and in aquatic environments, the compound has been detected in groundwater supplies in at least five States and in Canada.. Very low concentrations have also been detected in surface waters throughout the U.S.

    . The current Maximum Contaminant Level2 (MCL) drinking water standard is 0.07mg/l. Breakdown products: 2,4-D transformation products include at least 4 dioxins, which are carcinogens, and TCDD, which suppresses the immune system of developing children. Contaminants and inerts3 The carcinogen dioxin, a common by-product of the manufacturing of chlorinated compounds such as 2,4-D, has been known to contaminate 2,4-D products.

  • Diquat bromide (Reward):

     1,1'-ethylene-2,2'-bipyridyldiylium dibromide salt. Exposure routes: Diquat bromide is toxic if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. The possibility for poisoning increases with repeated exposure. Acute toxicity: It is moderately toxic via ingestion: an amount equivalent to two Tic-Tacs, administered to each of four kindergarteners, would kill two of them (oral LD50 as low as 30 mg/kg.). Chronic toxicity includes adverse effects to the gastrointestinal tract, eyes, kidneys, liver, and the lungs, in particular cataracts in the eyes. Environmental toxicity: It is moderately toxic to birds, fish and aquatic invertebrates. Since DIQUAT DIBROMIDE IS A NONSELECTIVE HERBICIDE it may present a danger to non-target plant species. Persistence: It is highly persistent, with reported field half-lives of greater than 3 years. It has the ability to eventually use up all the available adsorption sites on soil clay particles.  Field studies for the New York State Board of Health showed that 5 days after application the concentration in the water is greater than MCL2 current drinking water standards of 0.02mg/l. “Swimming, fishing and watering of domestic animals should not be allowed for at least 14 days after application of the herbicide to water,” according to Extoxnet. Breakdown products: unknown. Contaminants and inerts3: From the MSDS: “This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer (Ethyl-4,4'-dichlorobenzilate).

  • Fluridone (Sonar): 

     

    1-Methyl-3-phenyl-5- [3-(trifluoro-methyl) phenyl]-4(1H)- pyridinone  Exposure routes: Fluridone is toxic if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. Acute toxicity: Fluridone is considered an immediate health hazard. It has low acute toxicity via ingestion: an amount equivalent to a scoop of ice cream administered to each of four kindergarteners would kill two of them (LD50 5000mg/kg). Chronic toxicityincludes adverse effects to eyes, liver, kidney, and testicular atrophy. Studies by Dynamac Corportation for the EPA reported fluridone to be a carcinogen. Environmental toxicity: Fluridone is moderately toxic to birds, fish and aquatic invertebrates. Trees and shrubs growing in treated water may develop chlorosis (loss of green pigment). Irrigation with treated water may result in injury to plants. Persistence: It has a half-life of 5-60 days, depending on conditions. It must remain in contact with target plants for 45 days to be effective. NO DRINKING WATER STANDARDS CURRENTLY EXIST2. Breakdown products: Fluridone degrades to a number of intermediates, including n-methylformamide(NMF), which has been shown to cause birth defects, liver damage, spina bifida, and deformity of the brain and internal organs. Contaminants and inerts3: The “inert”1,2-propanediol may be harmful by ingestion, inhalation or through skin contact, and cause skin or eye irritation.

  • Glyphosate (Roundup, Rodeo):

     N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine. Exposure routes: Glyphosate is toxic if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. Acute toxicity:  Glyphosate has low acute toxicity via ingestion: an amount equivalent to a scoop of ice cream administered to each of four kindergarteners would kill two of them (LD50 5000mg/kg). Chronic toxicity: Miscarriages, premature births, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Environmental toxicity: It is a broad spectrum, non-selective herbicide, that affects non-target and native plants.It is slightly toxic to birds, fish and aquatic invertebrates. Persistence: Glyphosate is moderately persistent in soil, with field half-lives of up to174 days. Its half-life in pond water ranges from 12 days to 10 weeks. It is extensively metabolized by some plants, while remaining intact in others. Current MCL2 drinking water standards are 0.7mg/l. Breakdown products: Transformation products include formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, and N-nitrosoglyphosate. Contaminants and inerts3: Of serious concern is the inert ingredient in the Glyphosphate formulation called polyoxyethyleneamine (POEA), a surfactant. This and possible other “inerts” are moderately toxic and appeared to be the cause of death and illness in reported cases of accidental poisoning. They can cause a wide range of respiratory, cardiovascular, reproductive and central nervous system problems. A 1999 study by the American Cancer Society found elevated incidence of the cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.