In message , Philip
writes
"Tumbleweed" wrote in message
k...
"Philip" wrote in message
...
In a previous thread (Docks around and young apple tree) it was stated
that
Roundup was safe to use for a number of reasons. But basically the
feeling
was "its been around for a long time and nothing has been proven yet".

Well here is a recent report showing that Roundup cannot be considered
totally safe.

http://www.newfarm.org/news/0803/082903/gm_fungus.shtml

NOne of which applies to spraying near the roots of a tree, rather than the
entire actual crop (which is what this is about, thats the way these
particular GMO's are engineered, that you spray them with roundup and they
live but nothing else does). FWIW i've also read that tests of organic
products bought in shops show more toxic fungi on them than non-organic. But
strangely, that wouldnt have the greenpeace weenies out rushing to ban
organic crops.

Its interesting to see the feeling that this topic arouses. I have to
admit that I own a pot of weedkiller based on Glyphosate, and futher
admit to having used it this year.

In my original post, I wanted to call into question the bland
statement that these substances were safe because no-one had stated
otherwise. This is not the case.

It is relatively safe. Nothing in the world is completely safe. Even
digging weeds out you could cut yourself and then die of blood
poisoning, tetanus or anthrax.

Here is an extract from a paper concerning water table polution. EPA
in this case are the US Environmental Protection Agency.

**Quote**

What are the Health Effects?
Short-term: EPA has found glyphosate to potentially cause the
following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above
the MCL for relatively short periods of time: congestion of the lungs;
increased breathing rate.

Long-term: Glyphosate has the potential to cause the following effects
from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: kidney damage,
reproductive effects.

**End Quote**

Now I am sure that none of you people intend to bath daily in a
mixture containing 50% Glyphosate, but the assertion that it is safe
is clearly not proven.

The dose makes the poison. Nothing is truly "safe". You can easily kill
yourself by drinking enough vodka, beer or even tapwater for that
matter.

I recognise I am ploughing a lonely furrow here, but someone has to
counter the statements put forward by the companies with a vested
interest in making money out of these products.

Glyphosate is roughly in the same toxicity category as caffeine in
coffee. The wetting agents used in commercial formulations of the
weedkiller are far more noxious than the active ingredient. Most damage
to humans has been due to ludicrous mishandling of the weedkiller
concentrate by idiots, and attempted suicides by folk who chose the
wrong weedkiller entirely.

I am no fan of Monsanto, but glyphosate is as close to an
enviro-friendly weedkiller as we are ever likely to get. It is extremely
specific to green plants that are conducting photosynthesis. Use some
own brand glyphosate containing weedkiller and not Roundup though unless
you really want to actively support Monsanto and its GM hegemony.

Regards,
--
Martin Brown