Description
Benfluralin is an herbicide used primarily on turf, including lawns and golf courses, mostly by lawn care operators,to control grasses and other weeds. It is also used to control weeds in ornamental plants, lettuce, alfalfa, clover, birdsfoot trefoil, nonbearing fruit and nut trees, nonbearing berries, nonbearing vineyards, along rights of way (including utility substations, highway guardrails, and sign posts), fence rows and hedgerows, and Christmas tree plantations.
Children may ingest benfluralin through hand-to-mouth or object-to-mouth activity on treated turf, or through ingestion of soil or possibly even granules of benfluralin. They could absorb the chemical through skin if playing in treated grass soon after application. They may also inhale the herbicide during and immediately after application.
Health Effects
Immediate Health Effects
- If SWALLOWED, benfluralin is Slightly Toxic
- If ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN, benfluralin is Moderately Toxic
- If INHALED (SNIFFED OR BREATHED IN), benfluralin is Moderately Toxic
Longterm or Delayed Health Effects
- This chemical is considered an Unclassifiable Carcinogen by the World Health Organization, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or another agency.
Other
- Animals that have ingested benfluralin have demonstrated chronic (non-cancer) effects. Benfluralin was added to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxic Release Inventory because of its chronic effects on blood and on the liver in animal studies.
- Benfluralin is a skin sensitizer and can be irritating to skin and eyes.
Solutions
How to detect benfluralin
How to minimize exposure to benfluralin
Alternatives
For More information
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