Dimension Crabgrass Killer: Why This Chemical Herbicide Should Be Avoided

Legal Status

• Long Island & many communities: TOTALLY ILLEGAL for any use
• Rest of NY & other states: Special license required to buy/apply
• Dow AgroSciences markets as "safe for vegetables" – misleading

Active Ingredient: Dithiopyr

• Pyridine herbicide class
• First introduction: KILLED bentgrass on golf course putting greens
• Dow promised safety – greens turned brown overnight
• Golf industry outraged; Dow refunded chemical costs

EPA & Health Concerns

• On numerous state hazardous substance lists
• California Prop 65: Known to cause cancer
• Contains naphthalene → automatic EPA hazardous waste number
• Kills birds; lethal if ingested
• Soil microbe impact: unknown but certainly negative

Philosophical Objection

"God does not like it and I will listen to Him!" – Charlotte's faith-based rejection of toxic lawn chemicals.

Better Alternatives

• Corn gluten meal (natural pre-emergent)
• Healthy soil → dense grass → natural crabgrass suppression
• Proper mowing height (research-proven)
• Organic soil building