At first glance, using herbicides to control aquatic weeds might seem like an efficient solution. But emerging science shows that these chemicals often come with serious unintended consequences for the environment.
A recent report from Beyond Pesticides reveals that a new class of herbicides containing florpyrauxifen-benzyl (FPX) —designed to mimic natural hormones—may be threatening non-target aquatic species. These chemicals don’t just attack invasive plants; they can interfere with the biology of fish, amphibians, and beneficial plant life, potentially disrupting entire aquatic ecosystems.
This is especially concerning in lakes and waterways where biodiversity and water quality are already under pressure. Once these chemicals enter the water, they’re hard to remove and can persist in sediment long after application.