01-19-2014, 03:59 PM
Yes,
it's true that glyphosate is strongly ADSORBES (attached to) clay particles and negatively charged organic particles, then is slowly gets biodegraded by other living organisms. Unfortunately some of the other living organisms that die in the process are soil beneficial fungi (like mycorrhizae) which essentially extend the root systems of mature trees and shrubs to increase water and mineral absorption. Without mycorrhizal association many trees and shrubs get weakened and sometimes die off. Forest ecology is very complex and not fully understood but what is understood is that glyphosate harms a variety of soil fungi.
It is also true that frequently the "inert" or "secret ingredients" in pesticides and herbicides may be more toxic and harmful than the so called "active ingredients". There was a pesticide banned in the 1980's, perhaps Lindane which was found to contain up to 15 % DDT. Now DDT had been banned for a long time previously but since it was an "inert" ingredient in Lindane (If I remember correctly) it had escaped regulation.
The surfactants in Roundup are designed to enable the pesticide to penetrate and cross the cell membrane and get into the plants' circulatory system. Can you imagine an inert ingredient that would allow a poison to cross your skin- your body's first line of defense and get into your circulatory system? I can/ do /did and while I will still use glyphosate in very select situations I don't believe it is a silver bullet to solve all of life's problems. Nor do I believe it is safe, and I certainly hope it doesn't give me cancer in the future. I too can taste glyphosate in my mouth (sort of a metallic taste) when someone upwind is spraying it.
One final thought: Acceptable levels of pesticide and other chemical residues have largely been determined by TOXICOLOGISTS, professionals who determine how much of a substance will kill you. Recently some people have been thinking that ENDOCRINOLOGISTS might be better professionals for setting limits on acceptable levels of residue. Know any kids with ADHD/ADD/Aspergers etc? It's very possible that many man-made (like BPA) act as endocrine disruptors at very low levels. It does not take a toxic dose to create serious problems, and maybe the EPA should be working with endocrinologists instead of toxicologists.
it's true that glyphosate is strongly ADSORBES (attached to) clay particles and negatively charged organic particles, then is slowly gets biodegraded by other living organisms. Unfortunately some of the other living organisms that die in the process are soil beneficial fungi (like mycorrhizae) which essentially extend the root systems of mature trees and shrubs to increase water and mineral absorption. Without mycorrhizal association many trees and shrubs get weakened and sometimes die off. Forest ecology is very complex and not fully understood but what is understood is that glyphosate harms a variety of soil fungi.
It is also true that frequently the "inert" or "secret ingredients" in pesticides and herbicides may be more toxic and harmful than the so called "active ingredients". There was a pesticide banned in the 1980's, perhaps Lindane which was found to contain up to 15 % DDT. Now DDT had been banned for a long time previously but since it was an "inert" ingredient in Lindane (If I remember correctly) it had escaped regulation.
The surfactants in Roundup are designed to enable the pesticide to penetrate and cross the cell membrane and get into the plants' circulatory system. Can you imagine an inert ingredient that would allow a poison to cross your skin- your body's first line of defense and get into your circulatory system? I can/ do /did and while I will still use glyphosate in very select situations I don't believe it is a silver bullet to solve all of life's problems. Nor do I believe it is safe, and I certainly hope it doesn't give me cancer in the future. I too can taste glyphosate in my mouth (sort of a metallic taste) when someone upwind is spraying it.
One final thought: Acceptable levels of pesticide and other chemical residues have largely been determined by TOXICOLOGISTS, professionals who determine how much of a substance will kill you. Recently some people have been thinking that ENDOCRINOLOGISTS might be better professionals for setting limits on acceptable levels of residue. Know any kids with ADHD/ADD/Aspergers etc? It's very possible that many man-made (like BPA) act as endocrine disruptors at very low levels. It does not take a toxic dose to create serious problems, and maybe the EPA should be working with endocrinologists instead of toxicologists.