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2,4-D

Level 4 — Significant concernsIn Winter's Dictionary

2,4-D is a pesticide residue — Herbicide widely used by gardeners and farmers

Also: 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy Acetic Acid

What it does

Herbicide widely used by gardeners and farmers

Where you'll see it

Milled fractions of barley, oats, rye, wheat; potable water; sugarcane feeds

What the research says

Long-term effects controversial; linked to cancer. Excess of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma among farmers strongly associated with use. Causes eye irritation and gastrointestinal upsets.

Regulatory status

  • Notes: Same class as dioxin; FDA tolerance 2 ppm in milled fractions

Sources

  • A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): it has been linked to cancer. An excess of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma among farmers has been strongly associated with its use