Some Weed Killers Are Dangerous

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 16, Issue 33, 15 December 1950, Page 7

Some Weed Killers Are Dangerous

Weed killers which consist of D.N.O.C. and related compounds—that is, which have a dinitro-crtho-cresol or similar base—are poisonous to human beings whether they are taken internally or absorbed through the skin. A warning that care should be exercised when making small scale applications of these chemicals is issued by the weeds research committee, on which are represented the crop research and botany divisions of the plant chemistry laboratory of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Canterbury and Massey Agricultural Colleges, and the extension division of the Department of Agriculture. Among compounds of this type marketed in New Zealand for the control of weeds in crops are “Sin ox,” “Sinox W,” “Selectone,” “Sevtox i,” “Sevtox ii” and “Selectone Selective.” For large-scale spraying with this type of weed killer overseas operators are trained in safety precautions. Tractors used for this work are equipped with gasproof cabs, and the men wear protective clothing and have regular medical examinations.

The weeds research committee does not suggest that all these precautions are necessary with smallscale applications, but it advises all users of these substances to wear protective clothing and avoid inhaling the spray or coming into physical contact with the chemicals. Poisonous To Stock And Bees

These weed killers are also poisonous to stock, but their toxic properties are not permanent. They are destroyed by soil bacteria in two to three weeks', leaving the vegetation safe for grazing by stock. For bees, too, D.N.O.C. and related compounds have a high toxicity, though it decreases quickly in the dried spray. Therefore care should be taken to avoid spraying these chemicals on crops which are attractive to bees. Advice on this subject may be obtained from apiary instructors of the Depart* men of Agriculture.