Monday, April 16, 2012

A Closer Look at 2,4-D, Our New Best Friend

Last week I discussed the widely employed pesticide 2,4-D. It's use will probably increase in the near future, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture is poised to approve a genetically engineered version of corn (created by Dow Chemical) that is resistant to 2,4-D.

Since corn is in almost everything we eat (either as a filler or sweetener, plus in our livestock's feed), this doesn't bode well. Oh, you eat only organic corn? Don't for a second think that pesticide residue doesn't end up in our water supply.

But I digress. Let's take a close look at a section of the label of a product containing 2,4-D and marvel at the lunacy of:
  • "KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN DANGER-PELIGRO" (But it's not dangerous if it's in their food and water? And if it's so dangerous, why are we using it in the first place?)
  • "OTHER INGREDIENTS" (I don't care if the other ingredients are completely harmless; why aren't they identified?)
  • "See inside of label booklet for additional Precautionary Statements, First Aid, and Directions for Use." (How many people are looking at the booklet inside of the label?)
I would bet the ranch that the chemical industry has gamed the system so "OTHER INGREDIENTS" don't have to be listed because of "proprietary information concerns." And the "inside of label booklet" reminds me of how the drug companies make it very, very difficult for the public to see the trial results showing how ineffective most drugs are.

What a shame.
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3 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 16, 2012 at 6:00 PM

    Thanks for continually reporting on pesticide/herbicide concerns. Somehow the tendency is to feel that if something is "approved" for sale it is safe, or at least "ok to use". We need to be reminded often that no one is as invested in our personal safety and/or well being as we are.

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  2. Force Of Nature -- The Whole Truth from an Independent PerspectiveApril 16, 2012 at 11:05 PM

    Scientific research shows, as reported through EPA's and Health Canada’s VAST TOXICOLOGY DATABASE, that NO harm will occur when pest control products like 2,4-D are used according to label directions.

    Despite the opposite claims of activists, NO regulatory body in the world classifies 2,4-D as a human carcinogen.

    2,4-D has been used for the control of broad-leaved weeds in the Urban Landscape SINCE 1946.

    2,4-D has a 65-YEAR UNBLEMISHED SAFETY RECORD regarding long-term risk to health.

    2,4-D is probably THE MOST studied and best understood of ANY chemical ... not just pesticide ... in existence.

    Nonetheless, Anti-Pesticide Activists COULD NEVER BE BOTHERED to use the EXTENSIVE TOXICOLOGY DATABASE that is available from either Health Canada or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

    Evidently, these activists prefer to attempt PROFITING from Anti-Pesticide PROHIBITION with their own organizations or businesses, at the expense of the Professional Lawn Care Industry.

    For more information regarding 2,4-D HERBICIDE, go to the following link ...

    http://wp.me/P1jq40-1J8

    WILLIAM H. GATHERCOLE AND NORAH G

    NORAHG is the National Organization Responding Against HUJE that seek to harm the Green space industry.

    http://pesticidetruths.com/

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  3. AnonymousApril 22, 2012 at 11:46 AM

    Here an answere to your lunacy:

    1: Lots of thing had the warning of keeping out of reach of children! Dish soap has this warning, tooth paste has the same warning, but with the exception of under age 7.

    2: It's not food therefore doesn't require a full list of ingredients. Also, a company views the other ingredients as proprietary and not to be given out to potential competitors.

    3: I hope people look inside the booklet. If not, how are they to know how to mix the 2,4-D or what it will kill?

    By the way, it is a herbicide and not a pesticide.

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