One in three Americans have detectable levels of toxic weedkiller, study finds

[Nevilledog]

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/09/toxic-herbicide-exposure-study-2-4-d


One in three people across America have detectable levels of a toxic herbicide linked to cancers, birth defects and hormonal imbalances, a major nationwide survey has found.

Human exposure to the herbicide 2,4-D has substantially risen amid expanding use among farmers despite a multitude of health and environmental concerns, according to the first nationally representative study evaluating the footprint of the chemical.

The herbicide was developed in the mid-1940s and quickly became the go-to weedkiller for farmers focused on increasing crop yields, while also gaining popularity among gardeners looking for a pristine lawn.

Its popularity dipped in favor of Roundup (glyphosate) and genetically modified cotton and soyabeans resistant to this herbicide, but it has seen a resurgence since the spread of Roundup-resistant weeds.

2,4-D is currently riding high thanks to this Whac-a-Mole approach to pest control in industrialised farming, with about 600 US agricultural and residential products now containing the chemical which can be ingested through the skin, mouth and nose.

*snip*

[Joinfortmill]

1. Because....of course we do.

[Throck]

2. God bless my weeds.

[Chainfire]

3. Gotta look at the bright side.

Maybe that is what killed my toe fungus.

[appalachiablue]

4. K/R

[Thtwudbeme]

5. but people laugh at "organic"

Yeah.

[samplegirl]

6. Did you know???

2,4-D was first used in the United States in the 1940s. Agent Orange, an herbicide used during the Vietnam War, contained both 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T. Dioxin, a by-product of 2,4,5-T, led to the ban of Agent Orange.