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Weed killer spill

laura101187laura101187 Posts: 13
in Problem solving
We were just clearing out the shed and realised a bottle of spray weed killer had split and spilt on the shed floor. 

It is quite a small spill, about a foot square. The only thing is it had been there a while. Most had gone on some dust sheets which we will get rid of.
We have scrubbed with soap and covered in baking soda which we read online will absorb the rest.

thing is the shed is stained yellow. We plan to call the council tomorrow but the questions are - has anyone else had this? How bad is it? Is it still toxic if we air the shed?

It has basically all evaporated before we found it so now I’m worried we have to raise the shed and chuck everything.

We spend no time in there except my husband going into get a bike out.

many thanks (bit stressed)

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I shouldn't think it's a problem now if you've aired the shed well and the spill is all dry.  If it's glyphosate based it becomes inert upon contact with the soil and even if it isn't there's nothing for it to harm on the floor of a shed or the soil/hardcore below.  


    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    I think you're fine as well.  You've done all the right things to clean it up.  If you are still worried, I suggest you paint the floor with concrete paint to cover the stain.  
    Utah, USA.
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    edited September 2020
    Agreed - there is nothing to worry about. Keep any animals or children off the area you've washed until it's completely dry and you've swept up the baking soda - then forget about it (or paint over it if that makes you feel better).

    I wouldn't bin the dust sheets - I'd just give them a good wash - perhaps with an extra rinse.

    What exactly are you stressed / worried about? If it's the effects of residual fumes or the possibility of poisoning somebody / something then your fears are unfounded if the chemical has dried and the shed aired. 🙂
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • laura101187laura101187 Posts: 13
    Thanks everyone.
     

    I was worried because I googled weed killer spills and read all sorts about the fumes and it causing cancer. We didn’t realise it had spilt so my husband may have been breathing it in since. Though he isn’t in there for long each day.

    I was worried it might be toxic.

    I’ll follow the advice given here. Thank you 
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    The warnings are generally about large spills of commercial weedkiller.  A small spill such as you had will not be a problem.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I think you’ve done all that’s necessary. The only time I would be really concerned is if it were a large spill or could find its way into a stream or other watercourse. 
    Sleep easy 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • laura101187laura101187 Posts: 13
    Thank you everyone. 

    I scrubbed the floor with water and then put bicarb on. We may soak it again.

    Thank you you’ve saved me a lot of worry.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Most people are eating this stuff everyday. I wouldn't worry about a small spill.
  • SmudgeriiSmudgerii Posts: 185
    Whoa this is serious stuff, you can’t mess about...

    Ensure you are wearing 5 point PPE then burn the shed, put all the ash in a sealed container and bury it in a lead lined concrete bunker.  

    Oh and move house!

    or be really reckless and just ignore this slight mishap.


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