Health Effects of Herbicides

A herbicide is a type of pesticide that targets weeds. Weeds are basically misplaced plants. Clover growing in a farmer's field is appropriate. That same species of clover in a prairie restoration is a weed. Herbicides can be selective or non-selective. Selective herbicides have a specific target and will not harm related species. Non-selective herbicides are typically used when no vegetation is desired such as sidewalks and driveways. Species including non-weed species will be affected.

• Potential for agricultural runoff.

Cancer

• Of the 27 most common pesticides identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 15 are considered carcinogens, with additional links to nervous disorders and respiratory conditions.

Impact on Farmers

• Because of their close contact, farm workers are especially vulnerable to health effects of herbicide, with the EPA conservatively reporting 10,000 to 20,000 related incidents each year.

Wildlife Impact

• A 1992 study published in the journal, BioScience, reported over 67 million birds die each year from pesticide exposure on U.S. Farms.

Long-Term Effects

• Long-term health effects of many herbicides are not known, which is complicated by the fact that many herbicides such as aminopyralid persist in the environment.

Widespread Effects

• Health effects can become widespread by nonpoint source pollution (NSP) when rain or precipitation wash herbicides into waterways, including drinking water.