A new peer-reviewed animal study suggests a surprising link between the nation's top home and lawn herbicide compounds and possible miscarriages in humans. See the study.

Hello. I'm a veteran researcher at the University of Wisconsin's Department of Zoology in Madison. I tested the ingredients found in such products as Ortho Weed-B-Gon, Spectracide Weed Stop, and Trimec Classic at extremely low levels, and found a strong link to increased miscarriages and lost pregnancies.

Even the lowest doses used had strong effects.

Government studies only require testing of distinct chemical compounds by themselves, but they are often mixed to make a single consumer product. The off-the-shelf products that also contain potentially toxic "inactive ingredients" are almost never tested. My research assistants and I made the point of testing the health effects of products as consumers would buy them.

The pesticide amounts used in this new study are much lower than the minimum level considered safe in EPA mandated product registration tests, raising concerns that public safety testing may be missing serious human health effects. My researchers and I tested in the parts per billion range, which is the equivalent of a one drop of pesticide in 500 bathtubs of water. The government standards only call for testing of massive exposure at levels typically hundreds of times higher.

Federally mandated routine pesticide company tests don't even approach the low levels tested by us. Even though the study focused on animals, the low levels used are relevant to potential human exposure that could occur through recommended use of the products tested. The good news is that there are readily available, proven alternatives, such as vinegar or ammonia that get rid of weeds.

Our work is funded by the University of Wisconsin Foundation. Its purpose is solely to provide support for research into neurological, immune and endocrine impacts of environmental chemicals on animal and human health. Please contact me to learn about ways that you can support this critical work.