Alaska Department of Transportation Intends to Spray Cancer-Causing Herbicides Along Anchorage Roadways

 

Background

The Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT) intends to spray toxic herbicides along many of our roadways in Anchorage for weed control. This threatens the health of our residents, especially children, as well as pollinators, pets, and wildlife. The DOT published an obscure public notice in the Anchorage Daily News on May 2 stating that herbicide spraying will occur between June and October, with some locations subject to three applications. Herbicides will be sprayed along Minnesota Drive, Dowling Road, Sand Lake Road, Jewel Lake Road, C Street, Old Seward Highway, Abbott Road, New Seward Highway, and the Glenn Highway, among other locations.

 

What are the Herbicides Proposed for Use?

The DOT listed five herbicide formulations that they intend to use along our roadways in the coming months beginning as soon as June 1. Here are the brand names of the herbicides, their active ingredients, and summary of possible harmful environmental and health effects based on a review of the scientific literature.

Chemical manufacturers are not required to disclose most of the ingredients of herbicide formulations, and in addition to the “active” ingredient listed on the label, these may also be toxic. Extremely low levels of herbicide exposure can cause significant health harms, particularly during pregnancy and early childhood.

Roundup Custom, manufactured by Bayer-Monsanto Chemical Corporation

Active ingredient: glyphosate

• Toxic to pollinators
• Endocrine disrupting chemical affecting thyroid and reproductive hormones
• Neurotoxicant, including possible links with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Linked with elevated risk of cancer, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma and breast cancer
• Birth defects, including neural tube defects, and miscarriages
• Increased risk of liver and metabolic disorders, especially in children and young adults
• Kidney disease

Shredder 2,4-D LV6 manufactured by Winfield United Chemical Corporation

Active ingredient: 2,4-D

• Endocrine disrupting chemical, including thyroid and reproductive hormone disruption
• Neurodevelopmental toxicant
• Linked with cancers such as soft tissue sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Kidney and liver damage
• Decreased fertility
• Birth defects

Garlon 4 Ultra, manufactured by Dow Chemical Corporation

Active ingredient: triclopyr

• Toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms
• Linked with development of mammary gland tumors in animal studies
• Reproductive and developmental harm
• Kidney and liver damage

Milestone, manufactured by Dow Chemical Corporation

Active ingredient: aminopyralid

• Environmental and health effects not sufficiently studied
• Skin and eye irritant
• Evidence of developmental toxicity in animal studies
• Likely to contaminate groundwater

Transline, manufactured by Dow Chemical Corporation

Active ingredient: clopyralid

• Skin and eye irritant
• Reproductive and developmental harm
• Toxic to birds

Safe, Non-Toxic Alternative Solutions to the Use of Herbicides

DOT claims that herbicide spraying is necessary to “control” plants such as spotted knapweed, Canada thistle, bird vetch, reed canarygrass, white sweet clover, orange hawkweed, European bird cherry, and oxeye daisy. There are safe alternatives to the use of herbicides that include: mechanical removal such as cutting, mowing, and girdling; steam and heat treatments; biological controls; fabric and mulch treatments; application of corn gluten; and planting with native plant species.

What You Can Do!

• Email or call the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Transportation requesting that the herbicide spraying be cancelled using the form above!

• May 31st, 6pm, Sign making party at the ACAT office, 1225 E International Airport Rd

• June 1st, noon, Protest across the street from DOT regional headquarters, 4111 Aviation Ave, off West International Airport Rd, public parking at DOT headquarters