More and more French people are making their own weed killers, but this DIY gardening practice is likely to be dangerous.
- More and more French people are making their own weedkillers, but the practice is likely to be dangerous.
- Mixing bleach and vinegar for homemade weed killer can cause poisoning and lead to hospitalizations.
- 203 poisonings linked to this DIY herbicide were recorded in 2019 by poison control centres. There is only one from 2002 to 2013.
Whether this is due to the ban on the sale of several herbicides to individuals in 2019, the search for more ecological products or simply budget issues, many French people manufacture their own weedkillers. But be careful, a “recipe” proves to be dangerous for health, warn ANSES and the poison control centers in a press release published on April 25, 2023.
Homemade weed killer: mixing bleach and vinegar can lead to hospitalization
A popular practice among home gardeners and DIY (Do it Yourself) gardeners is to mix bleach and white vinegar. However, this cocktail is not only ineffective in controlling weeds, but can also represent a health risk. The chemical reaction caused by the combination of the two products can lead to the release of chlorine gas which is likely to cause irritation of the eyes, ENT tracts, or even acute respiratory failure.
“While only one poisoning had been recorded by the poison control centers from 2002 to 2013, this number has risen to 203 since the date of the ban on certain herbicides for individuals in 2019. These poisonings mainly occur in late spring and beginning of summer, period when weeding is the most practiced”warn the two organizations.
They then add: “nearly half of the exposed patients required medical care. Of the five hospitalized patients, three were placed in intensive care”.
In addition, the gases released during the evaporation of the homemade weedkiller alter the quality of the indoor air.
Weeding: safer alternatives
Faced with the risk posed by uncontrolled DIY preparations, ANSES and the Poison Control Centers recommend using only weedkillers bearing the words “Use authorized in the garden”.
You can also bet on ecological alternatives when you garden. For example, use pure white vinegar or even hot water with salt… these grandmother’s tricks are less dangerous but nevertheless effective in eliminating weeds. Finally, to prevent their appearance, it is also possible to mulch the soil. This maintains humidity and limits the proliferation of unwanted plants on the ground.
