As a chemistry student at UNBC who has finished a summer working with herbicides, I question the toxicity of herbicides in relation to other products in the house such as insecticides.
Typically, an insecticide such as Raid and a herbicide such as Round-up can be found in the household. My father would always say "I am more worried about insecticides than herbicides because I don't photosynthesize."
But is he right?
Raid uses the active ingredient allethrin, a chemical that impairs the sending of signals in nerves by modifying calcium channels. Small amounts kill insects and cause a tingling sensation on exposure to human skin. Round-up uses the active ingredient glyphosate, which is toxic to plants because it stops the production of essential amino acids needed to grow.
However, people don't produce these essential amino acids, so glyphosate is relatively nontoxic to humans.
Another method of determining hazards is through comparing the lethal dosage. Approximately twice as much Round-up is required to kill a rat compared to Raid. This information is from the supplier's Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) of each product and suggest that Raid is twice as toxic as Round-up.
But shouldn't Raid, which inhibits the function of nerves, be more than twice the toxicity of Round-up because humans do not produce essential amino acids? Yes, however the surfactants (soap) used in Round-up are not meant for consumption. Also, Raid only contains a small amount of allethrin. The toxicity - like so many other things - is more complex than a number like the lethal dosage, but it is a good starting point.
So if they are both potentially toxic, why do we use them? Herbicides are used outside homes to get rid of unwanted plants, whereas insecticides are used inside homes to get rid of unwanted insects.
Using Raid in a home is questionable, but it is likely that the fear of insects inside a home is why Raid's health hazards are tolerated.
It would appear my father was correct and that insecticides should be treated with more care than herbicides.
So next time you buy produce grown with herbicides or use Raid in your house, ask yourself what the harms are and do some research to find out.
Seamus Hogan
Prince George
