Abstract/Contents: | Provides information about the chemical pesticide 2,4-D and the symptoms of 2,4-D exposure in humans. Provides information and a diagram of the chemical composition of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Gives a brief history of the usage of 2,4-D. Provides information on the use of 2,4-D and what kind of weeds it is used to kill and what grass is typically not killed by 2,4-D. Gives statistics provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of how much 2,4-D is used in the U.S. per year; "about two-thirds of this is used in agriculture." Lists major uses of 2,4-D. Provides information on how 2,4-D kills plants; 2,4-D "kills plants by increasing three characteristics of the plant: the plasticity of the cell walls, the amount of proteins being made in the plant, and the amount of ethlene being produced in the plant. The effect of these changes is to cause cells to divide and the plant to grow uncontrollably. The end result is that the tissues of the plant are damaged and death occurs." Lists the different forms of 2,4-D that are used as herbicides, and "most toxicology tests use the chemical form of 2,4-D." Provides a table listing the inert ingredients of 2,4-D and the health and safety hazards associated with the inert ingredients. Gives a list provided by the EPA of the most common symptoms of 2,4-D poisoning. Gives information about the mutagenicity (ability to cause genetic damage) of 2,4-D as proivded by studies done by organizations other that the EPA. Gives results of studies done by the University of Minnesota showing the effects of 2,4-D on hormones. Gives results of studies of the effects of 2,4-D on the immune system, carinogenicity (ability to cause cancer), sperm, children (pregnancy problems, birth defects, contaminated breast milk, and brain development), and contamination of 2,4-D with dioxin and other environmental problems. Provides graphs showing the results of studies done on these problems as well as percentages of 2,4-D found in human urine and in air samples. |