Re: Organic/weed control

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GlyphosateThis stuff is not safe, but unfortunately many forestry agencies,
local authorities, private-land tree-planters and bush regenerators now
spray, dab, or otherwise apply glyphosate-containing substances to control
weed growth prior to planting. In the U.S. in 1993, university studies
declared glyphosate the third most commonly reported cause of pesticide
illness among agricultural workers, and to be the most commonly reported
cause of pesticide illness among landscape maintenance workers 1.Glyphosate
is the active killing ingredient in numerous proprietary pesticides,
including: ROUNDUP, EAZY WEEDER, SLAM grass and weed killer, ZERO weed spray
and wand, COMKILL, SQUADRON, TILLMASTER, TUMBLEWEED, etc.Virtually all
testing for long term health and environmental damage (eg: for cancer,
reproductive defects, birth defects, chronic damage) has been done only on
the single ingredient, glyphosate, and not on the full formulation containing
solvents and surfactants 2.Claims of biodegradability for Roundup (ie, that
the herbicide breaks down when it contacts the ground) are therefore next to
meaningless. Researchers have found up to 98% of the glyphosate has remained
present on sprayed leaves and branches after 90 days. Likewise, if it is not
able to be absorbed by a particular soil type, especially those low in
organic matter, then it will remain active, often for months.Glyphosate
readily "nitrosates" to form a new compound called N-nitrosoglyphosate, which
is known to cause tumours. Nitrosation occurs in the human stomach by
reaction with the nitrate in normal human saliva. A forest worker spraying
Roundup from a backpack, for example, could be in the high risk category for
tumour growth by breathing in some of the spray drift.Nitrosoglyphosate can
apparently also form in soils under certain conditions. Research has shown
that it is very persistent (ie, not biodegradable), with 7 parts per million
remaining in the soil after 140 days. Admittedly, there is diverse and
conflicting data put out about glyphosate. On the strength of the above, the
Guide advises that you err on the side of caution.Weed experts now say that
weeds such as rye grass are becoming resistant to glyphosate-containing
herbicides, which will render conventional chemical farming practices
useless.Glyphosate is illegal to spray in waterways as of June 3rd 1997.
Seventy four of seventy five glyphosate-containing substances tested by the
National Registration Authority for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals
contained a surfactant toxic to frogs and other aquatic lifeforms.

The Last Roundup...

The West Australian Environment Protection Agency has evidence that Roundup
has killed three species of frogs 3. At first, the reaction from the National
Registration Authority was dismissive, but now a snap review of the effects
of Roundup in or near aquatic environments is being undertaken. It is
suspected by the WA EPA that it is the surfactant in Roundup that kills the
frogs.The manufacturers, Monsanto, have not released the names of the other
ingredients in Roundup and they have not been tested in the environment in
conjunction with the active ingredient, glyphosphate. Monsanto has reported
"severe local effects and testicular effects in rabbits", so watch
out!Roundup is only conditionally registered with the Authority, because
nineteen out of twenty eight studies have still not been done. These are
studies to ascertain Roundup's movement and accumulation in water, soil, air,
fish, irrigated crops, aquatic systems and forests.In the state of New York,
Roundup manufacturers Monsanto are no longer allowed to label their
glyphosate products "biodegradable", or "environmentally friendly" in any
advertising. (Monsanto is also the manufacturer of genetically-engineered,
Roundup-resistant soybeans.)- Going Organic Magazine, Dec '95, and Pesticide
Action Network North America Update Service.

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