Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about the lake treatment with granular Navigate 2-4D and liquid Dow DMV 4:
How soon can we swim after treatment?
The warning label for Dow DMV 4 IVM 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid, dimethylamine salt state there are no established waiting periods in the State of Wisconsin for recreational activities such as, swimming and fishing in waters treated with 2,4-D formulations. A waiting period of 1 day is recommended.
How soon can we fish after treatment?
According to research, the granular and liquid 2-4D product labels do not warn against eating fish caught in treated waters. As a precaution, wait 24 to 48 hours before fishing for consumption of fish that are caught in treated waters.
Toxicity information indicates that the commercial product 2,4-D DMA is not acutely toxic to the species of fish tested.
Many species of fish are tolerant to the 2,4-D acid generated from the slow release of 2,4-D butoxyethyl ester contained in Aqua-Kleen® or Navigate® granules.
Although 2,4-D is rapidly eliminated from their edible tissue, aquatic animals do not effectively metabolize 2,4-D.
2,4-D DMA has not caused adverse impact on recreational or commercial fishing.
Toxicity information indicates that the commercial product 2,4-D DMA is not acutely toxic to most species of invertebrates tested.
What about drinking water?
The label for Navigate, the granular 2-4D product, states to wait 7 to 14 days before using the lake water to drink. (This product used on North Twin). The label for Dow DMV 4, the liquid product, states to wait 21 days before diverting functioning surface water intakes from the treated aquatic site/s before using the lake water for drinking water unless water at functioning drinking water intakes is tested no sooner than 10 days and is demonstrated by assay to contain not more than 70 ppb 2,4-D (100 ppb for irrigation or sprays). www.dowagro.com (This product used on South Twin). CORRECT
Evidence from testing in Washington State suggests that it is unlikely that 2,4-D will have an adverse impact on sensitive well recharge areas/groundwater.
The potential routes of exposure, resulting in the greatest 2,4-D exposure to the various population groups, primarily included ingestion of treated water either during swimming or through daily use of potable or treated water as a drinking water source. Other potential routes of exposure included dermal contact with water and sediments and ingestion of sediments and fish taken from treated water. Currently, there does not appear to be any scientific group or governmental agency that has determined an estimated ³background² level exposure to 2,4-D due to other uses of chlorophenoxy herbicides, e.g. consumer products, professional pesticide application, municipal use, agriculture or diet exposure. However, based on 2,4-D¹s chemical and physical properties, label use-rates, environmental fate, dermal absorption rate, rapid excretion and low toxicity, it does not seem like the ³background² exposure is significant.
The issue of ingesting wild berries and game that may be contaminated with 2,4-D is not considered to pose a health risk due to the low degree of exposure and that the chemical is rapidly metabolized and excreted if ingested.
The USDA (1988) has also addressed ingestion of wild game. Results of their “worst case” analysis also indicates that there is little or no risk from ingestion of wild meat after 2,4-D application.
Using the water for irrigation?
The label for Navigate, the granular 2-4D product, states to wait 7 to 14 days before using the lake water to irrigate vegetable crops. (This product used on North Twin). The label for Dow DMV 4, the liquid 2-4D product, states to wait 10 to 21 days before using the lake water it irrigate vegetable crops. (This product used on South Twin). CORRECT
If water used for irrigation contains less 2,4-D than mandated by the MCL (0.070 mg/L or ten day health advisory (0.30 mg/L), 2,4-D (applied as 2,4-D DMA) should not have an adverse impact on crops irrigated with treated water.
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