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Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

I know there were some threads on this a couple of years ago, but to all those new growers considering using Ironite, be aware that it contains lead and arsenic. I had forgotton about it, but saw it on the local news tonight.

Here's some additional info:

http://www.envirolaw.org/poison.html

11/8/2005 6:07:01 PM

Syracuse, NY

yeah, as soon as i heard about even the CHANCE that this stuff had heavy metals in it i decided to not use it ever again....i don't care now HOW MUCH they do to it to make it
LOOK like it's okay to use....

11/8/2005 7:00:23 PM

Western NY

i'll wait for tremor to chime in on the science stuff, but apparently this stuff isn't as bad as they make it out to be. i used it a few years ago. good stuff, but i probably won't use it again for other reasons.

11/8/2005 7:07:52 PM

Md/ Usa

JMattW may be you should learn understand fertilizer ingredients listed the label you way off in la la land !!!!!!!!!!!!!

11/8/2005 7:34:26 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

For you guys using municipal compost or sludge... heavy metals are often present also.

11/8/2005 8:53:32 PM

Garden

We arent even supposed to drink the water here.
Maybe 2 negatives = a positive. Ironite, here I come!

11/8/2005 9:10:57 PM

Puyallup, WA

I am amazed how Ironite is smeared every year on this message board. Why not just post their web page information and let people judge for themselves?

http://www.ironite.com/mineralogical.htm

I have used hundreds of pounds of this product in my patch....plus 80,000 pounds of treated sewer sludge every year for the past four years!
So far...no one has fallen over while walking in my patch! ;>) ...nor do my pumpkins glow in the dark! ;>)

11/8/2005 11:06:06 PM

San Diego

contrary to what some believe, "if" heavy metals were being deposited in ones soil or ones body, it takes many many years of accumilation before disease appears. Almost anything you do these days has chemicals in them, it's our enviornment. Can't avoid everything, but wise to be as healthy as possible. As for ironite, I honestly don't know if it has bad stuff in it or not lol:) If you are concerned about ironite, you might be surprised to know that there are probably many other things pumpkin growers do that are worse. Such as spraying insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc.

11/8/2005 11:37:52 PM

Northern Cambria, Pa.

After using Ironite for several years I had my soil tested for lead last year. The level was very low and in the normal background range. The very small amounts of lead and arsenic in the product are locked up in stable compounds just as clorine is in table salt.

11/9/2005 7:05:44 AM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

Okay, I should have clarified. My patch is in my backyard I'm not so much concerned about uptake in plants as I am uptake by my two toddlers playing back there.

11/9/2005 9:24:31 AM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

Ironite is banned in Canada, due to its high arsenic and lead content.

Here is a link to a report on Ironite by the State of Minnesota Dept of Health.

http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/risk/studies/ironite.htm

11/9/2005 9:37:19 AM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

Here is an excerpt from a State of Washington report on arsenic and lead:
"Fertilizers that contain arsenic and lead are still on the market.
One type of commercially available fertilizer, Ironite, has tested at over 4,000 ppm arsenic
and 2,900 ppm lead. Places where these fertilizers or lead-arsenate pesticides have been
used can be expected to have contaminated soils."

The full article can be read here:

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/pubs/0109087.pdf

11/9/2005 9:43:21 AM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

Here are the EPA's thoughts on Ironite and exposure to children:

http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/recycle/fertiliz/fert-fr.pdf

11/9/2005 9:51:18 AM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

Read those reports and tell me if you'd let your kids anywhere near there.

11/9/2005 9:55:58 AM

Selbyville, Delaware

If you have kids and are really worried about lead, check the dirt around the foundation of your old painted wooden house or the paint chips in and around the window trim. As a pediatric nurse, I've chelated many kids with exposure from the living area, never the garden dirt.

11/9/2005 10:41:49 AM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

I agree. That is a big concern in Omaha with older homes.

11/9/2005 10:59:50 AM

Puyallup, WA

Recent evaluation of the Ironite procuct shows much lower rates than the Washington State study. However, you can believe whomever you wish. Some folk believe that second-hand smoke will kill you just as fast as smoking the cigarette itself. Therefore, how you choose to live your life is greatly determined by who you believe. Personally.....I consider it sham science!

11/9/2005 5:49:48 PM

Indiana

Matt,
If you live in a city, you should be much more concerned about the following.

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,6903,1504672,00.html

suprise suprise...flouridated dihydrogen monoxide has been found to be carcinogenic.

I aint picking fun at you...rather the situation. For many things, there are 2 completely different studies. All the petroleum based products we use, the processed foods with preservatives, or additives, the list goes on and on. ironite in your soil is one of the last things you should have to worry about to keep your kids safe. I wouldnt let my kids anywhere near my patch if I had them....only using the chemicals you already use. Most chemicals hinder neural development in children. Bottom line is....if you got a patch, and are doing anything different than what Docgipe is doing keep the kids out.

Tom

11/9/2005 11:52:40 PM

Ontario, Canada.

I would like to support Matt, Why in heck would anyone consider using a product like this that may or may not contain a harmful ingredient. The eveidnece is certainly stacked up against this product no matter how you slice it. As a grower I am always concerned about the environmental effects of anything I do. We cannot simply dismiss the implications of a whole country and several states that do not support the product. I my opinion the facts of this case lend a cautious approach at the very least. Refrain from use if concerned. There are enough products available today that are similar and provide enough beneficial elements to grow a giant in a more responsible way.

11/10/2005 7:20:09 AM

Indiana

isnt ironite mined from the earth in naturally occuring areas it has to be safer than the chemicals that come out of the plastics in your new suv or the new carpet in your house. were all gonna die someday anyway we cant possibly worry about every chemical that (may) hurt us.

11/10/2005 10:01:39 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

I will agree with you there Steve...You guys are concerned about a fertilizer. If your concerend about chemicals worry about the enviroment you live in. Namely your house and the chemicals you use. Beginning with your automatic dishwasher, then your wash machine, and anything you consume. If a package of food is already cooked and ready to eat because of preservatives added. Where do those preservatives go?

11/10/2005 10:11:28 AM

Ontario, Canada.

I really hate to rain on the Ironite parade but reports indicate a heightened awareness is required when using this product. Recommendations are easily found on the internet that suggest not to garden in soils containing more than 20ppm of arsenic and 300ppm of lead.

I would suggest a few of you folks may want to investigate a little deeper. The implications of poisoning and cancer are more long term in adults for arsenic.

It deserves a better discussion than to be cast aside like this. There is simply, in my view a cause for concern.

11/10/2005 2:10:30 PM