03-11-2019, 04:12 PM
rainyjim - I found some information on early uses of arsenic as a weed killer if anyone is interested - https://ucanr.edu/repository/fileaccess.cfm?article=163744&p=GZBXGG
I still suspect the arsenic used in Hawaii’s sugarcane fields was for rat poison, not weed killer.
You seem to be not reading the links already provided. Arsenic herbicides were used as primarily alongside buildings, where the highest soil concentrations were recently found. As you noted, you obviously don't indiscriminately spray a broad herbicide across your crops (unless you want the field to be barren - for up to 4 years apparently, from your link).
Other goodies and folkisms include:
- "the inorganic forms of arsenic--the sodium, calcium, and lead salts of arsenic as well. as arsenic trioxide- -are very poisonous agents. The annual review of news articles by the press reporting accidental poisoning, usually of children and often pets and livestock, attest to the hazards associated with the indiscriminate use of arsenicals by the lay public."
For EW - "Wisely employed, these weed destroying chemicals can beautify the home while taking the drudgery out of the means to this end. But, for the uninitiated home owner, beware of indiscriminate use. [...] The adage -- "If a little bit is good, more is better" -- may work with paint bucket and brush on the side of the house, but can be ruinous in both the back 40 and the back yard where herbicides are concerned."
Ahh, the good old days - lead in the paint, arsenic in the lawn - who needs nostalgia when you have long-term human and environmental damage to remind you!
I still suspect the arsenic used in Hawaii’s sugarcane fields was for rat poison, not weed killer.
You seem to be not reading the links already provided. Arsenic herbicides were used as primarily alongside buildings, where the highest soil concentrations were recently found. As you noted, you obviously don't indiscriminately spray a broad herbicide across your crops (unless you want the field to be barren - for up to 4 years apparently, from your link).
Other goodies and folkisms include:
- "the inorganic forms of arsenic--the sodium, calcium, and lead salts of arsenic as well. as arsenic trioxide- -are very poisonous agents. The annual review of news articles by the press reporting accidental poisoning, usually of children and often pets and livestock, attest to the hazards associated with the indiscriminate use of arsenicals by the lay public."
For EW - "Wisely employed, these weed destroying chemicals can beautify the home while taking the drudgery out of the means to this end. But, for the uninitiated home owner, beware of indiscriminate use. [...] The adage -- "If a little bit is good, more is better" -- may work with paint bucket and brush on the side of the house, but can be ruinous in both the back 40 and the back yard where herbicides are concerned."
Ahh, the good old days - lead in the paint, arsenic in the lawn - who needs nostalgia when you have long-term human and environmental damage to remind you!