By Julia Barcello
Diquat dibromide, a herbicide, is used to kill invasive species in waters across the country. The Connecticut government claims to have found hydrilla in waters across the state.
Hydrilla is an underwater invasive plant which blocks sunlight from native plants. This ultimately reduces oxygen levels altering habitats for fish and other wildlife. The plant also degrades water quality. It was first identified in the state in 2016 in the Connecticut River.
In an ongoing project by the Army Corps of Engineers, diquat is being used to stop the spread of hydrilla.
Connecticut State Representative Hector Arzeno from Greenwich says that the Army Corps of Engineers believes diquat is safe- so residents shouldn’t worry.
“If it is used properly, I mean, it is not harmful… This is not something that has been taken lightly by DEEP. And the Army Corps of Engineers, again [is] involved in this… They are the Army Corp of Engineers. I mean, I fully trust them,” said Arzeno.
Lucy Dathan, CT State Representative from New Canaan said it is vital hydrilla is addressed immediately.
“If we do not address [it], there will be some serious consequences for our ecology and would eliminate opportunities for any boating in some of these places in our state.”
In a study by the EPA, it claims that diquat poisoning has “severe toxic effects on the central nervous system.” The EPA says that although the chemical is not directly neurotoxic, “There have been relatively consistent pathologic brain changes noted in reported fatal cases of diquat poisoning.” It is not clear whether these changes are caused from direct toxicity or secondary effects related to the systemic illness.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (The Wisconsin DNR) the fast-acting chemical is non-selective, therefore, it will kill anything it touches. “It does not move throughout the plants, so it will only kill parts of the plants that it contacts. Following treatment, plants will die within a week.”
In a press release, State Representative Renee Lamark Muir said that other ‘solutions’ may not work.
“Alternatives to Diquat currently include using mats to cover the plant beds and mechanical removal of Hydrilla. These methods have proven to be ineffective and only worsen the problem.” Further explaining, “The plant grows through and around the mats. Mechanical removal chops and fragments the plant, causing migration and proliferation as parts of the plant float down the river and proliferate elsewhere.”
The Wisconsin DNR says the risk to humans is low. It poses small risks of allergic reactions or skin irritation. Serious health impacts like birth defects and cancer are not a significant concern according to the EPA.
The strong chemical has sparked controversy across the country on social media because of the concerns.
Some residents say government officials are planning to poison rivers. Residents have taken to social media to express their concerns- especially given that the chemical is banned in the European Union.
Residents of the state have been posting across social media platforms asking others to stand up for their communities. Chris Webby, a Connecticut artist, posted this on X in July saying, “This isn’t about politics. It’s about water. And if that isn’t a fight worth fighting then I don’t know what is.”
Others are frustrated with the state claiming they “lied”. On X, WallStreetApes posted, “EXPOSED: The state of Connecticut LIED about postponing spraying of the toxic chemical Diquat into our waterways until 2026.”
A Texas resident expressed his concerns via this TikTok post, saying the chemical is harming trees and surrounding wildlife. He described that the chemical is being sprayed too high above water and is causing surrounding wildlife like trees to die.
“What they’re spraying in our water is a known toxin and just pay attention [to] what’s going on. Do your research,” said ‘Captain Danny’ in the video.
Danny contacted Texas Parks and Wildlife and expressed his concerns along with a description of what he saw. He says they were responsive and are working on improving the application of the chemical.
Government officials like Hector Arzeno are working to re-assure residents of their worries in regards to the use of the chemical. Residents with concerns are encouraged to talk to their representatives.
