Herbicide Terminology Basics

With all of the recent fuss and frustration surrounding the agricultural giant Monsanto and it’s decades-long use of the dangerous, cancer-causing, endocrine system disrupting, nutrient stripping Round-Up Weedkiller. There have been many scientific studies done proving a causal relationship between Round-Up’s main ingredient, glyphosate, and a litany of life-altering ailments and diseases. For those who are following the slow and hopefully steady decline of the chemical you may find yourself reading reports, articles or studies that contain technical jargon. Industry-specific terms about which you know nothing. In the interest of helping you to understand all the nuances of these lawsuits and familiarize yourself with what exactly is going on, here is a list of basic words you might see used and their definitions.

Preemergence (or Preemergent) Herbicides

Herbicides that are utilized before the target weed develops and sprouts.  Many preemergence herbicides have little bearing on living vegetation. They act on the roots or new shoots of newly sprouted seeds, usually killing the seedling before or right as they rise from the soil.

Adjuvants

These enhance the body’s immune system response to an antigen

Stabilizers

These substances prevent the breakdown of emulsions, especially where food or plants are concerned

Emulsions

A mixture of two or more substances, mainly liquids, that normally do not mix at all when placed together.

Emulsifiers

These substances are designed to provide stability for emulsions, specifically with food additives so that processed foods may be better preserved

Inert Ingredients

Non-active ingredients that are purposefully included in pesticides. Examples are all three of the above-listed items

Systemic (or translocated) herbicides

These herbicides can move from treated plant parts to untreated parts either through the xylem or phloem.  For example, a systemic preemergent herbicide could be taken up by roots and moved to leaves. Or, a systemic post-emergent herbicide applied to the leaves could move to other leaves or to roots.  Typically, systemic materials work better on established perennial weeds than contact materials.

If you have further questions about Monsanto’s Round-Up Weedkiller, or if you believe you may have reason to pursue a lawsuit against Monsanto, then please contact a Monsanto Round-Up attorney as soon as possible. Here at the Brady Law Group, we have a team of attorneys experienced in the field of product liability. We have the necessary experience and resources to win you all the necessary compensation that you are entitled to under California state law. It is our goal to provide justice for these families that have been harmed by a giant, faceless, money-grubbing corporation. , We go to any necessary lengths to protect the rights of our clients. If you would like a free consultation regarding a Roundup lawsuit that you believe you may have, please reach out to our law firm by calling (866) 211-2562 as soon as possible.