{"id":31897,"date":"2024-02-20T13:36:55","date_gmt":"2024-02-20T21:36:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/?p=31897"},"modified":"2024-02-20T13:36:56","modified_gmt":"2024-02-20T21:36:56","slug":"garlon-the-dangers-of-triclopyr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/2024\/02\/20\/garlon-the-dangers-of-triclopyr\/","title":{"rendered":"Garlon \u2013 The Dangers of\u00a0Triclopyr"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Posted on February 20, 2024<\/a> by SF Forest Alliance<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

This article was written in 2018. Since then, SFRPD has started using triclopyr in the form of Vastlan, and usage is not restricted to oxalis.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, only the Natural Resources Department (formerly Natural Areas Program) uses Garlon. Nowadays, they use it only against yellow oxalis. This use is questionably for several reasons: The plant has been unreasonably demonized, based on little actual evidence; While the nativists hate the plant, most people love it \u2013 especially kids; it\u2019s doubtful that the herbicide is actually effective. What\u2019s known is that it is very toxic, and the balance of benefit vs risk really does not favor pesticide use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Photo credit: Badjonni (Creative Commons \u2013 Flickr)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE DANGERS OF GARLON<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Garlon 4 Ultra<\/strong> is a herbicide that the San Francisco Department of the Environment (abbreviated SF Environment) has declared a Tier I pesticide. SF Environment has a three Tier system hazard rating system, with Tier III being \u201cLeast Hazardous<\/em>,\u201d Tier II being More Hazardous<\/em>, and Tier I being Most Hazardous<\/em>. Though pesticides are sometimes moved between Tiers, Garlon has always been Tier I<\/strong> at least since 2008 when we started following pesticide use in our parks. It\u2019s been flagged as \u201cHIGH PRIORITY TO FIND AN ALTERNATIVE\u201d for as long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Garlon, Aquamaster, Milestone on Mt Davidson. March 2018<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article is based on one published on the SutroForest.com website in 2010, and is used with permission. It has been updated as far as we could; there is limited non-corporate research on triclopyr (the active ingredient in Garlon). The companies making these products don\u2019t always identify or publicize their dangers. In 2003, Dow was fined for misleading the public about the danger of one of its products<\/a>. More recently, Monsanto may have interfered<\/a> with the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s assessment of Roundup. The main source of information is the chapter on Triclopyr in the Marin Municipal Water District Report on herbicides. (You can read that here as a PDF: Chap4_Triclopyr_8_27_08<\/a> . It\u2019s technically written. Here is another paper that is more accessible for the layperson: Caroline Cox Triclopyr 2000<\/a> )<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, when looking at herbicides, researchers start by looking at Acute Toxicity \u2013 how much would it take to kill or injure you immediately. Separately, they look at Chronic Toxicity \u2013 a longer-term impact. What should also be followed, but often isn\u2019t, is the long-term effects of low-level exposure. This is an issue with Garlon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What stands out when attempting to research Garlon is how much is not known, particularly about the effects of repeated low-level exposure. There simply isn\u2019t that much research out there, and few human studies. \u201cAlthough triclopyr has been registered in the US since 1979, there are still very few studies on triclopyr that are not part of the EPA registration process.\u201d Most of the research that exists is on Garlon 4. What is used on Twin Peaks is Garlon 4 Ultra. It\u2019s similar but isn\u2019t mixed in kerosene. It\u2019s mixed in a less flammable but apparently equally toxic methylated seed oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is known makes uncomfortable reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n