Chemical to be Sprayed Along Northern Highways

Chemical to be Sprayed Along Northern Highways

Thursday, August 12, 2004 at 13:05

A company that’s spraying a chemical on brush growing along some northern highways says berry and mushroom harvesters have nothing to worry about.

Asplundh Canada is once again applying the chemical Garlon 4 to control undesirable brush growing along selected highway right-of-ways.

The spraying will start on Monday on portions of two highways in the northeast — Highway 165 from the junction of Highway 106 to Kilometre 41 and Highway 106 from Kilometre 270 to Kilometre 303.

Company spokesman Brad Walker says Health Canada has determined that the pestiticide is not harmful to humans if accidentally ingested.

However, he says crews will still be doing their best to avoid spraying on berry plants or where mushrooms are growing.

Walker does admit that if the chemical does come into contact with berries or mushrooms, that type of vegetation is likely finished.