The Dangers of Weed Killer

Weeds are plants with minds of their own. More than 240 species of weeds can release chemicals that damage your garden.

It is essential you pry a weed out when you see it. But weed killer can be just as destructive as weeds.

What can paraquat dichloride do to the human body? What are some alternatives that can be harmful? How can you perform garden maintenance without ingesting toxins?

Answer these questions and you can keep your garden free of weeds and toxins. Here is your quick guide.

Paraquat Dichloride

Farmers use paraquat dichloride all over the United States. It is banned from use in residential areas, but industrial farmers may use it.

Paraquat is highly toxic if ingested or splashed in the eyes or nose. Children have mistaken it for a drink and consumed it, resulting in hospitalizations.

But paraquat has proven especially dangerous to wildlife. It can enter waterways, causing fish to swallow it and die. When it enters the soil, it can kill insects that feed off weeds and grass.

You can find back against paraquat use. You can hire a paraquat lawyer to sue farmers who use it. You can also petition your local farmers to transition to another weed killer.

Other Sprays

Roundup is just as used as paraquat. It contains glyphosate, which a 2019 study linked to tumor growth. Its other ingredients can amplify the effects of glyphosate, causing tumors to develop faster.

Some weedkillers contain a chemical called 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). 2,4-D kills the roots and leaves of weeds, making it a very popular weed killer.

This can damage the soil and kill insects. In the human body, 2,4-D may lead to cancer cell creation. Studies are still being conducted, but you should limit your exposure to 2,4-D.

How to Start Killing Weeds Without Industrial Herbicides

There are all-natural ways that you can tend to your garden and lawn. The simplest way to remove weeds is to pull them out by hand. Reach close to the soil and twist the weed out so you snap their roots.

Once you’ve removed the weed, put it in a basket or wheelbarrow. Then pour some boiling water into the area where it grew.

You can mix vinegar, dish soap, and salt together to kill an area covered with weeds. Combine one gallon of vinegar with a cup of salt and a tablespoon of dish soap. Stir until well-combined, then shoot some directly onto the soil.

What to Do About Weed Killer

Weed killer is an easy tool to get rid of your weeds. Yet paraquat dichloride is toxic to human beings and fish alike.

Roundup contains a carcinogen responsible for fast-growing tumors. 2,4-D is another carcinogen that is under scientific review.

Whenever possible, use your hands and a shovel to remove your weeds. Use boiling water to kill hard-to-reach roots and weeds. As a last resort, you can mix vinegar with dish soap and salt and spray it.

You can get going with growing a great garden. Follow our coverage for more gardening tips.

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