To the concern of many home gardeners across America, a growing number of medical journals and research groups have found that the main ingredient used in Roundup weed killer could be linked to an increased risk of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.
In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified the chemical glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans” after considering data from nearly 120 pre-existing medical studies. Then, the University of Washington found in a 2019 study that the risk of developing Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma increased by 41% for people who were regularly exposed to large amounts of glyphosate, compared to those who weren’t.
For retail buyers, the original version of Roundup with glyphosate is no longer for sale. But according to a recent analysis from environmental organization Friends of the Earth, the new formula without glyphosate may be even more dangerous than the original Roundup was. If you’re looking to avoid Roundup altogether, here are some of the most effective natural weed killers that can keep your lawn looking beautiful without putting your health at risk.
Organic Herbicides
As agricultural technology continues to improve, so do our options for organic weed killers that can get the job done with natural ingredients. Many organic herbicides are made with a combination of acids, essential oils, and salts that shouldn’t cause any harmful effects for adults, children, or the environment.
Keep in mind that some essential oils can be toxic to animals, so an organic herbicide should only be used once you know your pets are safe inside.
- Mighty Mint Weed & Grass Killer uses citric acid and spearmint oil as its primary ingredients.
- Earth’s Ally Weed & Grass Killer contains a mixture of sea salt, water, vinegar, and soap.
- Dr. Earth’s Final Stop Weed & Grass Killer is made with a combination of cinnamon oil, clove oil, rosemary oil, sesame oil, and thyme oil.
Herbicidal Vinegar
Vinegar contains the chemical acetic acid, which can act as a powerful herbicide in large amounts. Herbicidal vinegar has a much higher acid concentration than white vinegar used for cooking, which tends to contain around 5% acetic acid. Usually, vinegar weed killers are sold at 20% and 30% acetic acid concentrations, though stronger versions can also be found for industrial use.
- Green Gobbler 20% Vinegar Weed Killer is a ready-to-use vinegar herbicide that can be purchased at your local garden supply store.
- To make your own vinegar herbicide, combine 1 gallon of your choice of vinegar (the higher the acetic acid concentration, the more potent it will be), 1 cup of salt, and 1 teaspoon of dish soap.
Corn Gluten Meal
Corn gluten meal is a by-product created during the corn wet-milling process to make cornstarch and other goods. Originally produced as animal feed for being rich in protein, corn gluten meal became a well-known natural herbicide by the 1990s because of its ability to inhibit root growth. However, it can’t kill weeds that have already grown in, so it can only be used as a weed preventer.
- Scott’s Turf Builder Weed & Feed can stop weeds from growing back after they’ve been removed with a more potent herbicide. It also doubles as a lawn fertilizer!
File a Roundup lawsuit
For anyone who was recently diagnosed with blood cancer after using Roundup with glyphosate, it’s not too late to join the lawsuit. If you or an immediate family member developed Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, or another type of blood cancer after using Roundup weed killer, see if you qualify for compensation today.
