The Problem...
The composting industry is threatened by the increasingly widespread use of a class of extremely persistent herbicide products in turf and agricultural applications that can make compost products unmarketable. Plants grown in compost containing persistent herbicides can be damaged or killed by minute quantities of the herbicide. Dow AgroSciences is the manufacturer of the leading persistent herbicide, clopyralid, in products like Confront. (Read more.)

Documents

• GRRN Press Release September 24, 2002
  • EPA virtually eliminates opportunity for public comment on toxic Dow herbicide
• Federal Register Notice
  • posted August 28, 2002 establishing 6-month comment period for Dow's request to delete 'residential turf' usage for one of its three source 'technical products' containing clopyralid.
• Federal Register Correction
  • posted September 20, 2002 ending public comment on September 27, 2002.

Issue Background

GRRN's Press Releases

• EPA virtually eliminates opportunity for public comment on toxic Dow herbicide.
  • September 24, 2002
• Dow Urged to Withdraw Weed Killer
  • October 31, 2001
  • Persistent Herbicides Threaten Organics Recycling Industry.

Articles

• EPA accused of bowing to Dow
  • Spokesman-Review article by Karen Dorn Steele, September 26, 2002
• Dow Seeks to Preempt California Ban
  • Greenwire - July 29, 2002
• Dow Seeks to Ban Its Own Weed Killer
  • LA Times - July 27, 2002
• Herbicide Manufacturers Should Accept Responsibility For Residuals In Compost
  • By Gabriella Uhlar-Heffner. BioCycle, July 2001
  • University of Florida project compiles comparative data on demolition vs. deconstruction/salvage, and suggests policies that would improve recovery rates.
• One Year Later: Persistent Herbicides In Compost
  • By David Bezdicek, Mary Fauci, Dan Caldwell, Rick Finch and Jessie Lang. BioCycle, July 2001
  • This analysis of the Dow chemical products that caused problems at two Washington state composting facilities proves that protective steps needs to be taken.
• Timeline For Chemical Longevity: Penn State Research Uncovers Clopyralid In Compost
  • by Nadine J. Houck and Eric P. Burkhart. BioCycle, July 2001
  • University studies identify grass as major culprit, while growth trials continue using tainted compost.

Documents

• California compost law, AB 2356
  • signed by Governor on September 15, 2002.
• Fact Sheet on AB 2356
  • prepared by California Compost Coalition
• Dow's Response to Composting & Clopyralid press.
  • October, 2001
  • (Dow wants to put the burden and costs of their toxic herbicide onto composters and communities.)
• Position Paper of the US Composting Council
  • Environmental Policy and Regulatory Affairs Committee (August 24, 2001)
    

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