Friends of the Earth is calling for urgent action after a new study [1] showed a clear relationship between the use of two commonly-used weed killers and birth defects in children. The study showed exposure to the herbicides 2,4-D, and MCPA could be linked to birth defects including malformations of the heart and respiratory system.

The 2,4-D herbicide is found in 121 garden weed killers on sale in UK shops, while MCPA is an ingredient in another 90 garden weed killers [2]. Friends of the Earth is calling on retailers of garden products to clear their shelves of these products and find safer alternatives.

The research, conducted by the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory in the United States (part of the US government's Environmental protection Agency) looked at rural areas where these herbicides are widely used in farming (wheat growing areas) and compared rates of birth defects against other rural areas where the herbicides are not used. The researchers took into account other common factors such as age of the mother and smoking during pregnancy.

The results showed that in farming areas where the herbicides are used widely there was an increased risk of heart and respiratory birth defects for boys and girls, and an increased risk of infant death from such defects for boys. They found that boys conceived in the months (April to June) when these herbicides are applied were almost five times more likely to be diagnosed with birth defects of the respiratory system than boys in areas where the herbicides aren't used. (This relationship was not altered by taking into account the other possible variables, eg maternal age etc). The authors pointed out that previous studies had shown similar results.

These herbicides are not just a risk for people using them but can be picked up just by people using grass areas that have been recently sprayed, such as parks and agricultural grazing land. If used in the garden they can be brought inside the house as well and one study found that 2,4-D can last in carpet dust for up to a year after it was used in the garden. All major garden centres, DIY stores and supermarkets stock products containing these chemicals. The two chemicals are particularly used in products to get rid of weeds in lawns and well known brands of "feed and weed" products.

But 2,4-D was cleared in the comprehensive review of pesticides being conducted by the EU, although 320 other pesticide products, some with less evidence of harm to the environment or human health are about to be withdrawn from the market (24th July 2003). The herbicide MCPA has not yet been assessed. In addition to the risks identified in this recent study, 2,4-D appears on two lists as a possible hormone disrupter.

Sandra Bell, pesticides campaigner for Friends of the Earth said

"These commonly used herbicides could be putting unborn babies at risk just for the sake of keeping our lawns and parks free of weeds. This is not the first evidence that these chemicals are a risk to human health, yet incredibly one of them has recently been cleared for continued use across Europe. There must be an urgent review of this decision. Responsible retailers must act now to clear these products off their shelves and find safer alternatives."

Friends of the Earth wants the UK Government to press for an urgent review of the decision to allow the continued use of 2,4-D across the EU, the Government should also prohibit the use of MCPA (which has not yet been assessed at EU level) in garden and amenity products and publish a warning about garden products containing either of these pesticides. It should urgently seek effective alternatives for their use in agriculture.

Friends of the Earth is also calling on all retailers selling products containing MCPA and/or 2,4-D to cease selling these products and put pressure on manufactures to find a safer alternative.

Friends of the Earth believes consumers should stop using products containing these two herbicides and to ask their local council to safely dispose of the products. Local authorities and other amenity providers (e.g. private golf courses) should immediately cease use of these products and ensure that they are safely disposed of.

Notes

[1] Schreinemachers, DM. Birth malformations and other adverse perinatal outcomes in four US wheat-producing states Environmental Health Perspectives Vol 111 (9) pp 1259-1264 July 2003

[2] MCPA and 2,4-D can be found in a range of well known brands including lawn weed killers sold by Asda, B&Q, Do-it-All, Focus, Great Mills, Homebase, Wickes and Wilko. The full list or products containing MCPA and 2,4-D is available on the PSD website www.pesticides.gov.uk under `product information'.