North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Don Yellman <dyellman@earthlink.net>]

Thomas Olenio wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> Does anyone know the half-life of this chemical;
>
> Common name: 2,4-D
>
> Chemical name: 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid
>
> (common broadleaf killer)
>
> I know that in a couple of days it is reduced by half, but I have read
> that it can persist in the soil for up to 30 days.
>
> I would also like to know the best clean-up of a pressurized 2 gallon
> sprayer contaminated with 2, 4-D.
>
> Thanks,
> Tom
>
>
> --
> Southwest Ontario
> Canada Hardiness Zone 6a
> (similar to US zone 5)
>
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Tom:

There are many, many websites devoted to 2,4-D, both pro and con.  Just 
type 2,4-D into your search engine, and draw your own conclusions.  I 
use this herbicide because I think it's pretty safe, and have never seen 
any reliable, non-hysterical information to the contrary.  Sensible 
precautions are in order as with any other agricultural chemical.

As for cleaning it out of a sprayer, dishwashing liquid and water should 
be more than adequate, although you might want to add a little 
bicarbonate of soda, which is good at neutralizing acids.  Most 
"accidents" with herbicides in sprayers occur when a fairly large 
concentration of the product is left in the sprayer.   Having separate 
sprayers for insecticides and herbicides reduces the possibility of 
these accidents.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA