Weed Killer and Safety

Weeds can be managed safely with the right precautions.

Weeds crop up in most lawns and gardens and are often too numerous to be pulled completely by hand. Many commercial weed killers are available to consumers, though knowing which ones are safe and how to use them correctly is essential for lawn and garden enthusiasts.

History

The history of herbicides and lawn care safety goes back to the development of the first herbicide in the late 1940s, when 2,4-D was manufactured for the first time. Livinghistoryfarm.com states that it was used by Carl H. Leonard for the first time and publicized in Nebraska Farmer Magazine in 1947, though scientists warned that more needed to be known about its health effects. In the 1970s, the toxicity of herbicides and other pesticides came into further question, leading to increased awareness about their side effects if not used properly. Today, most herbicides are toned down versions of the same chemicals and come with safety instructions for use.

Function

Herbicides function by being selective in their effects to plants. For instance, the success of the early herbicide 2,4-D is often attributed to its ability to selectively target only plants that are considered weeds and to be mostly, if not completely, harmless to other plant types. Other herbicides developed since 2,4-D have capitalized on this ability, making herbicides generally harmless to more desirable plants.

Types

The most common types of herbicide, according to the EPA., are diquat, 2,4-D and glyphosate. Because these active ingredients are often mixed with other chemicals when commercially manufactured, it is important to read the safety and warning labels on your herbicide. There are both nontoxic and toxic types of herbicide.

Considerations

Lawn owners must take proper precautions when using weed killers. Read the labels on your weed killer to know if it is toxic. Never spray in windy conditions, as this can cause the spray to travel to areas you didn't mean to treat or the wind can blow the weed killer on to your body. Do not spray around animals. Keep weed killer away from children. Wear protective clothing that covers the mouth and eyes when using weed killer. Possible side effects of toxic weed killers include respiratory problems, certain types of cancer and birth defects, according to Toxipedia.org.

Misconceptions

Herbicides are not the only way to kill weeds efficiently. One common, natural way to kill weeds is to set a layer of wood chip mulch with your plants, which prevents most weeds from growing. Natural alternatives to herbicides in weed control ensure safety for both lawn enthusiasts and their families.

References

• EPA.gov: Weed Killers
• Toxipedia.org: 2, 4-D
• Livinghistoryfarm.org: Herbicides: 2, 4-D and Its Cousins