Herbicide Damage
Herbicides provide a quick and easy method for eliminating weeds and unwanted grasses and plants. Their formulas are specifically designed to kill plant organisms, or stunt their rate of growth, meaning a certain level of poison is at work in the process. And while they can be effective in cleaning up a garden or lawn, the potential damage caused by these formulas may not be worth the convenience. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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Herbicides can kill weeds and plants in two ways: on contact, or through a systemic or slow-acting process that gradually breaks down the plant's structural makeup, according to the University of Rhode Island Landscape Horticulture Program. Herbicide formulas are selective in how they attack a plant. But a particular formula marketed as "kills on contact" may still be capable of causing systemic damage if applied in large enough amounts. The converse is true for formulas marketed as slow-acting; they can be used to kill instantly.
Function
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An herbicide's method of action uses toxic, or poisonous ingredients like 2,4-D to target specific enzyme processes within a plant, according to the Montana Department of Agriculture. The formula works by binding to enzyme production sites on the plant and stopping or slowing them down. In effect, plant death is the result of blocked metabolism processes that cause chemicals to build up inside the plant's nutrient conducting system. The on-contact formulas only kill off the parts of the plant in which they come in contact. Slow-acting herbicides work by being absorbed into a plant's root or leaf system regardless of which portions make contact with the chemical, according to the University of Rhode Island Landscape Horticulture Program.
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Glyphosate
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Glyphosate is the active ingredient in many brand name herbicides, some of which include Roundup, Gallup, Touchdown and Landmaster, according to the Oregon Statue University Toxicology Network. An acid, glyphosate is a substance that's labeled as a class II toxic compound under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listings. It's a water-soluble material that can reach deep absorption levels within soil environments. This absorption capacity poses the risk of damage to soil quality. Once absorbed, glyphosate is resistant to runoff or leaching effects, and has an average half-life of 47 days within the soil.
Health Risks
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Herbicides have been linked to many health conditions within humans, animals and plants, according to Mother Earth News. The severity of a condition can depend on the level of exposure a person has with herbicides. The less serious conditions include blurred vision, sore throat, nausea, headache and nose bleeds. Individuals who are exposed on a regular basis (like farmers) may be at risk of developing cancer or attention deficit disorder, and suffering miscarriages. Herbicide exposures in fish and frogs have produced immune system damage, and in some cases body deformities. Plant populations can potentially develop more diverse and severe disease organisms as a result of ongoing herbicide use.
Research Studies
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The October/November 2005 edition of Mother Earth News cites two research studies done on the effects of Roundup on human and animal reproduction processes. Roundup herbicide applications are widely used in the United States on yards, gardens and within crop production processes. A study done by the University of Caen in France shows the adverse effects of low doses of Roundup on human placental cells. Another study done by the University of Pittsburgh shows Roundup to cause an 86 percent drop in tadpole population rates.
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References
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- Photo Credit Flower and Weeds image by Towards Ithaca from Fotolia.com
