THE TOXICOLOGY OF HERBICIDES

This article urges that users of herbicides acquaint themselves with toxicology terminology. Herbicides with an LD50 (lethal dose 50% of the population of test animals) of 5200 is almost non toxic and has a toxicity rating of 5. The higher the LD50, the safer the compound. Most herbicides are not readily absorbed through the skin and when accidently ingested, are readily broken down by the body and excreted. Crews who handle the formulated products should carefully follow the instructions on the label relative to protecting eyes and skin, inhaling the product, and sanitary practices, etc., when applying herbicides. In general, herbicides do not build up in the soil because they are subject to degradation (microbial, chemical or physical). Roadside decisionmakers are urged to properly train crews to assure safe and accurate applications. The herbicide should be kept on target and records should be maintained. Mishaps and complaints should be investigated promptly and damage repaired. It is pointed out that there is documentation that herbicides present the least risk of any method of vegetation management.

• Record URL:
  • https://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trcircular/307/307-005.pdf
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00978515
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Paper presented to the Committee on Roadside Maintenance of the Transportation Research Board's Group 3 Council on Operation, Safety and Maintenance of Transportation Facilities. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Hernandez, T J
• Publication Date: 1986-7

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Pagination: p. 12-13
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Circular
  • Issue Number: 307
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0097-8515

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Applications; Herbicides; Safety; Sprayers; Toxicity; Training
• Uncontrolled Terms: Degradation; Spraying
• Subject Areas: Design; Education and Training; Environment; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Planning and Forecasting; Research; Safety and Human Factors; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00457926
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Sep 30 1986 12:00AM