Warning: PHP - Herbicide Exposure!
- CDC-PHP Media Communications
- Mar 16
- 2 min read
PHP, if you see dead whole trees or trees with rolled, twisted, or cupped leaves [see picture], it may be caused by chemical or herbicide drift. Over 70% of PHP is farmed by large commercial Ag producers with little local regulations and oversight. Unfortunately, the heavy reliance on toxic pesticides, herbicides, and artificial fertilizers affects PHP residents, wildlife, and the landscapes at multiple levels. Drifts can spread in a 1-mile radius.
Organically grown produce is compromised, and Nitrite and Nitrate pollution from chemical fertilizers enter the groundwater, affecting well water, which over 60% of PHP homeowners depend on.
Watch for Chemical or Herbicide Drift
For PHP farmers and gardeners concerned with pesticides and toxic chemical drift from nearby commercial ag operations, list your farm on DRIFT WATCH:
Sprayers and airplane crop dusters must review this site to know where not to spray.
To understand the negative impact on the local health and environment, please watch the video for more content:
The general population is primarily exposed to trace amounts of glyphosate through food residues, particularly in crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat. Occupational exposure (farmers, landscapers) is higher and can also occur through skin contact or inhalation during application.
Glyphosate is considered an endocrine disruptor, meaning it can interfere with hormone systems. Studies have associated exposure with:
Infertility and lower sperm counts.
Hormonal imbalances, such as high testosterone levels in females.
Complications during pregnancy, including shortened gestation and premature births.
Birth defects in some animal studies and epidemiological correlations.
To learn more about Glyphosate:
We have lost nearly 3 billion birds in North America since 1970!
Key Impacts of Glyphosate on Bird Populations:
Glyphosate-based herbicides contribute to declines in bird populations primarily through indirect habitat degradation and reduced food sources. By eradicating weeds (such as milkweed), glyphosate removes essential forage and insects that many bird species rely on, leading to starvation, reduced reproduction, and habitat simplification, often cited alongside intense agricultural practices.
Destruction of Foraging Habitats: Glyphosate destroys wildflowers and weeds that host insects and produce seeds, effectively starving bird species that depend on them.
Reduction of Insect Food Sources: SongBird Survival notes that a reduction in insects, caused by herbicide-driven habitat loss, starves young birds, killing off entire generations, a significant factor noted in a study mentioned on SongBird Survival.
Impact on Migratory Songbirds: Early-season insect blooms are essential for migratory songbirds, but glyphosate usage can result in poor breeding success.
Habitat Simplification: Agricultural intensification and heavy herbicide use have been linked to a massive decline in North American bird populations since 1970.
Direct Exposure Concerns: While primarily affecting them indirectly, birds can be exposed to toxins when feeding in recently sprayed agricultural areas or lawns.
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